JPS6059635B2 - Coin mechanism device with sales confirmation function - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a coin mechanism device having a function of determining the selection of products to be sold in a vending machine, and in particular,
The selected product can be reliably recognized with a simple circuit configuration, and malfunctions due to erroneous operations by the purchaser are prevented.

Conventionally, coin mechanism devices that process coins inserted into vending machines for selected sales items have had the following problems. (1) If you press multiple product selection switches at the same time or at different times, there is a risk that unselected products or products will be sold at the wrong price. (2) If a simple interlock circuit is provided between the product selection switches, if a large number of product selection switches are pressed one after another, the product selection switch that was pressed last for a long time will take priority. However, the operation of the vending machine should be such that the conditions for selling the product are met by the first product selection switch pressed, and the sale of the product should be confirmed by the first product selection switch pressed. be.

(3) If an interlock function is provided between the product selection switches, the output drive relay for product delivery will be activated when another product selection switch is pressed at the same time as the sales conditions are met or immediately after. There is a risk that the product delivery operation may be performed without the self-holding effect being achieved, and the product may fail to be sold and only the inserted coins may be stored. (4) If the same data line is used to input the sales price setting data from the sales price setting switch and the control data from the vending machine control switch to the central processing unit, the sales price setting data and the control data There is a risk of confusion between the parties.

Among the above-mentioned problems with conventional coin mechanism devices, in particular, regarding the problem of dual use of data lines in item (4), in the past, in order to simplify the circuit configuration and reduce manufacturing costs, it has been difficult to transmit different types of data. The same data line can be used for both purposes, and an appropriate strobe signal can be applied from the central processing unit to switch between uses, or a separate control circuit can be installed to constantly transmit control data from the vending machine control switch. However, when the product selection switch is pressed, the sales price setting data is forcibly entered.

Therefore, when transmitting the control data from the vending machine control switch, sales price setting data is transmitted redundantly, causing a serious problem in that the control data changes. It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned particularly serious problem of the conventional art, to provide an interlink circuit in the product selection switch, provide a signal line for detecting the press of the product selection switch, and detect changes in the potential of the signal line. Sales price setting data only immediately after setting. When data is read into the central processing unit and the potential of the signal line changes from a low logic level to a high logic level, reading of control data from the vending machine control switch is stopped, thereby simplifying the circuit configuration. Moreover, the product is sold incorrectly.
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a highly reliable coin mechanism device that does not perform any of the following.

That is, the coin mechanism device having the sales confirmation function of the present invention counts the inserted coins, pays out change,
In a coin mechanism device of a vending machine, the selling price is set according to the selection of the selling product, and the selling operation is performed when the amount of coins inserted reaches the selling price setting value. Sets the sales price corresponding to the selection switch, and detects any open circuit due to the operation of the product selection switch of the normally closed contacts of the product selection switch, which are connected in series and connected to a signal voltage source via a resistor at both ends. The product to be sold is determined by comparing the amount of coins inserted and the set selling price only during a predetermined short period of time after the normally closed contact/open circuit is detected. be.

The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

First, the circuit configuration of a conventional coin mechanism device of this type is shown in FIG.

In the conventional device having the configuration shown in the figure, when a desired product selection switch in the product selection switch group 7 is pressed, sales price setting data from the sales price setting section 5 is input to the central processing unit 1, and the amount of coins inserted is input to the central processing unit 1. If it is possible to sell the desired product by comparing it with the set selling price of the product, a coin mechanism device is used which drives the output relay 9 to transport the desired product. In the coin mechanism device having such a configuration, even if the number of sales price settings increases, only the sales price data for the selected desired product is input to the central processing unit 1.
As a coin mechanism device, it is possible to configure one that handles multiple items of products with the same functionality as one that handles single sales price data. The operating principle of this type of coin mechanism device will be further detailed with respect to the circuit configuration shown in Figure 1.When a coin is inserted into the vending machine, a detection output for each coin is generated from a coin sensor (shown in the figure). The data is input to the central processing unit 1, the amount of coins inserted is calculated based on the type and number of coins inserted, and the total amount is displayed on the amount display 3.

Control DC power sources P and N are connected to the central processing unit 1, and the DC power sources P and N are also used as power sources for the amount display 3. The product name and sales price are clearly displayed for each product selection switch on the operation display screen of the vending machine, so look at the display of the amount of coins inserted above and select the desired product from among the products that appear to be available for purchase. When the selection switch is pressed, unless the sold-out display switch 6 for that product is open and the product is not sold out,
Sales price setting data for a desired product in the sales price setting switch group 5 is input to the central processing unit 1.
Note that the data from the sales price setting switch group 5 and the control switch group 4 are transmitted to the central processing unit 1 via a common data line, and a resistor R is connected thereto. It is fixed to the DC power supply potential P via. Furthermore, the sales price setting switch group 5 and the control switch group 4 are configured with a well-known key matrix circuit, and each line is connected sequentially through a switch contact and a mutual interference prevention diode at the position of the X mark shown in the figure. They are connected vertically and horizontally. The control switch group 4 having such a configuration includes a change coin out display switch, a manual refund switch, a test switch,
Various information setting control switches are provided, such as a change confirmation switch, a product delivery confirmation switch, and a continuous sales limit number setting switch. Therefore, it is preferable in terms of circuit configuration that the sales price setting switch group 5 and the control switch group 4, which have such separate functions, are respectively connected to the central processing unit 1 via separate data lines. In order to make efficient use of the input/output ports of the processing device 1 and to manufacture it at low cost, the same data line is shared as described above. Therefore, for example, in order to input data of the control switch group 4 to the central processing unit 1, a strobe signal is applied from the central processing unit 1 to any one control line of the control switch group 4. to ground the vertical data line. As a result, for the switch contacts that are closed among the switch contacts connected to the vertical data line, the horizontal data line also becomes the ground potential, so when the switch contacts are open, the resistance R is applied. The high logic level of the DC power supply potential P appearing on the horizontal data line changes to the low logic level of the ground potential. The central processing unit 1 reads such a change in the logic level of the horizontal data line in response to the application of the strobe signal, thereby inputting required information data from the control switch 4 to the central processing unit 1. On the other hand, when inputting the sales price setting data of the sales price setting switch group 5 to the central processing unit 1, by pressing the desired product selection switch 7, one vertical circuit in the sales price setting switch group 5 is input. sales pricing data appears on each horizontal data line. In order to prevent interference with the control information data from the control switch group 4, when the product selection switch 7 is pressed, the switch contact is opened, and the potential at point b, which has reached a low logic level due to the voltage drop across the resistor R1, is The central processing unit 1 detects that the DC power supply potential P has changed to a high logic level, stops applying the strobe signal to the control switch group 4, and sets the selling price from the selling price setting switch group 5. Only setting data is input to the central processing unit 1. Note that when the above-mentioned change in the potential at point b is detected, the central processing unit 1 controls the
It is also possible to invalidate the control information data from the control switch group 4. As described above, if the sales price set value input to the central processing unit 1 does not exceed the amount of coins inserted, the selected product can be sold, so the output relay is set by the central processing unit 1. 9
is activated to close the relay contact, and in combination with other switch contacts (not shown) of the product selection switch group 7, a product delivery relay (not shown) corresponding to the selected desired product is activated. ) to carry out the desired product.

Further, if necessary, the change mechanism 8 is operated to dispense the required change. Further, if the selected desired product is sold out, the sold-out switch 6 is open, so even if the product selection switch 7 is pressed, the sales price setting value for the desired product will be changed to the sales price setting switch group. Since the selling price is not input to the central processing unit 1 from 5 and the selling price setting value is considered to be zero, a sold-out display for the item is displayed. In this case, it goes without saying that a protection function is provided to prevent erroneous sales. However, in the conventional coin mechanism device having the configuration shown in FIG. The arrangement of the switch contacts and the wiring lead to an increase in the manufacturing cost of the device.

In addition, in a vending machine equipped with this type of conventional coin mechanism device, when the product selection switch 7 is pressed for multiple types of products that can be sold for which the amount of coins inserted exceeds the set selling price, It is desirable to be able to confirm that the product selection switch 7 of the desired product type has been pressed by lighting only the sellable indicator lamp corresponding to the product selection switch 7 selected by the depression. Furthermore, if you press multiple product selection switches 7 at the same time or at different times, when comparing the amount of coins inserted and the sales price set value, for example, the sales price of product a When the set value is input, the output relay 9 for product b may be activated, causing a malfunction in which product b is taken out and sold at the selling price of product a. As described above, the following problems occur in the vending machine using the conventional coin mechanism device having the configuration shown in the first diagram.

(1) Since the drive circuit for the sold-out indicator lamp is a separate circuit, manufacturing costs due to the arrangement of switch contacts, wiring, etc. increase.

(2) The selected product detection and display function for confirming the product selected by pressing the product selection switch is missing.

(3) If a plurality of product selection switches are pressed at the same time or at different timings, there is a risk that the product type for sale may be erroneously selected.

The present invention eliminates the above-mentioned drawbacks of the conventional device shown in FIG. 1 and has the following improvements.

Of the circuit configuration of the conventional coin mechanism device shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the main parts that have been changed based on the improvements made by the present invention, that is, the parts related to the product selection switch 5 and the output control part. Identical components having the same functions are designated by the same symbols as in FIG. 1.

In the illustrated configuration, the decoder 10 controlled by the central processing unit 1 always maintains the potential at the connection point a between the control transistor 11 and the grounding resistor Rc at the ground potential, and also when the product selection switch 7 is pressed After the sales price setting data from the sales price setting switch group 5 is input to the central processing unit 1 and the state is ready for sale, the above-mentioned control switch is used to change the potential at the above-mentioned point a to the DC power supply potential P. Transistor 11, sales price setting switch group 5
The present invention includes an amplification unit 12 that amplifies the potential of a control line, a group of output drive relays 14 for each type of product, and a switch contact combination circuit 14 that maintains the self-maintenance of these relay groups 14 and interlocks each other. However, the basic operation of the coin mechanism device is almost the same as that of the conventional device shown in FIG. In the circuit configuration shown in the second figure, the inserted coins are counted and the total amount is displayed as in the conventional device, but the central processing unit 1 controls the decoder in accordance with the inserted coins. 10 to sequentially send strobe signals to their output terminals one by one, and the sequential strobe signals are applied to each control line of the sales price setting switch group 5, so that the sales price setting value is sequentially set. The data is input to the central processing unit 1.

Therefore, if there are n product selection switches 7, the n output terminals of the decoder 1"0 corresponding to each of the n product selection switches 7 are sequentially specified n times to set the selling price. The data is sequentially input to the central processing unit 1 n times.As a result, each sales price setting value and the amount of coins inserted are sequentially compared, and each product selection switch 7 selects the product sales. In other words, it is determined whether the amount of coins inserted has reached the set selling price of each product.In addition, when the central processing unit 1 drives the decoder 10, the conventional device shown in FIG. Similarly, it is of course necessary to stop applying the strobe signal to the control switch group 4 and to input the sales price setting data at a different timing from the input of the control information data. Of course, it is necessary to prevent the control information data from changing due to the operation of the product selection switch 7 when inputting the control information data from the control transistor 11. in an inoperative state,
The potential at point a is set to a high logic level of the DC power supply potential P, so that even if the product selection switch 7 is operated, sales price setting data is not input to the central processing unit 1. As is clear from the above, in the coin mechanism device of the present invention shown in FIG. 2, the product selection switch group 7 and the self-holding switch contact group 13 are provided with an interlock structure.

That is, since selling price setting data must be input to the central processing unit 1 only for the selected product, the potential at point a is always kept at a low logic level by the action of the control transistor 11. hold at the level,
When one product selection switch 7 is pressed, the sales price setting switch contact 5 corresponding to the product corresponding to the selection switch 7 becomes a low logic level via the sold-out switch 6, and the setting data of the sales price setting switch 5 is changed to a low logic level. is input to the central processing unit 1. For example, when switch N2 of the product selection switch group 6 is pressed, switch N3
From then on, the potential at point b becomes a high logic level, so
Even if the product selection switches 7 after switch N3 are pressed, they are disabled. However, when the switch n1 is pressed under a condition where the force is greater than or equal to the force, the contact point of the switch N2 goes to a high logic level, so the sales price setting data corresponding to the switch n1 is higher than the sales price setting data corresponding to the switch N2. will take effect with priority. In other words, since the product selection switch near the low logic level point a is configured to have a higher priority, for example, even if two product selection switches are pressed at the same time or one after the other, the Since only the sales price setting data corresponding to the product selection switch closer to the potential at point A is input to the central processing unit 1, as a result, two types of sales price setting data are input to the central processing unit 1 at the same time. It is made so that it cannot be done. If the sales price setting value input preferentially to the central processing unit 1 as described above is smaller than the amount of coins inserted, the sale is possible, so the central processing unit 1 sends a sales signal to the output relay 9. is sent.

When the contacts of the output relays 9 are closed in response to the sales signal, only the relays 14 corresponding to the amplifier circuits whose input side is at a low logic level in the amplifier circuit group 12 can be driven. That is, the input side of the amplifier circuit group 12 is normally at a high logic level via the resistor circuit 15, but when the product selection switch 7 is pressed, the input side is connected to the amplifier circuit which becomes a low logic level. Only the relay 14 becomes operable. However, with only such an interlock effect, if the contact of switch N2 in the product selection switch group 5 is turned on for the first time and the product is ready for sale, another switch N3 is pressed and its contact is turned on. Then, the amplifier circuit group 12 corresponding to the switch N3
There is a possibility that the output of the relay 14 may be supplied to the relay 14 by mistake.
Therefore, the self-holding contact circuit 13 performs the same interlocking effect as in the product selection switch group 7, and only the output of one amplifier circuit in the amplifier circuit group 12 is transmitted to the relay 14. It is being supplied. Next, FIG. 3 shows a timing chart of the operation of each part in the above-mentioned coin mechanism device of the present invention.

In the illustrated timing chart, for the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that only three types of products A, B, and C are sold, and the operation timings of the three product selection switches that select each of these three types of products are shown below. Shown in waveforms 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Further, the illustrated waveform 9 indicates a selection switch signal that causes a potential change when any one of the product selection switches is pressed, and corresponds to the potential at point b in the circuit configuration shown in the second figure. This selection switch signal is repeatedly read into the central processing unit 1, and the central processing unit 1 confirms that the product has been selected and confirms the selection as shown in waveform 4. Before this selection is confirmed, the control switch 4 is connected via the data line mentioned above.
The control data from the central processing unit 1 is read into the central processing unit 1. Therefore, in the period T shown in FIG. 3, the control data and the sales price setting data are transmitted redundantly as described above. Therefore, none of the data can be trusted.Therefore, the following measures have been taken to more accurately read the control data from the control switch 4.(1) When the selection switch signal is high logic level, the control data from the control switch 4 read at that time is invalidated.(2) Both the control data and the sales price setting data are such that the same data is repeated multiple times, for example, 3 times.
It is valid only when it is read repeatedly several times in a row.

J(3) Invalidate the control data when the selection switch signal is at a high logic level, and reset the counter used for multiple confirmation in the previous section (2).

(4) By making the number of times the control data is checked greater than the number of times that the sales price setting data is checked, the product selection is confirmed before the level of the selection switch signal changes due to the sales price setting data, and the temporary memory of the control data and Reset the confirmation counter.

By employing each of the above-mentioned means, it becomes possible to use the same data line for transmitting sales price setting data and control data.

Therefore, as shown in waveform 5 in FIG. 3, the control data read before time A is valid, and all the data read between time A and mouth is invalid. However,
Between time point C and C, only the sales price setting data is read, as shown in waveform 6. For example, if the same data is read three times in a row, a sales confirmation signal is formed as shown in waveform 7. be done. As this sales confirmation signal, the second
In the illustrated configuration, the potential at point a becomes a high logic level.
If another product selection switch 7 is pressed between time points A and C, and the sales price setting data read at that time is not consecutively the same, the product to be sold will not be determined, and therefore, You will not be able to proceed with product sales operations. As described above, even if the product selection switch for products B and C is pressed after the sale is confirmed for product A, the sales confirmation signal is at a high logic level, so a in the configuration shown in the second figure The potential at the point becomes a high logic level, and the sales price setting value is not read into the central processing unit 1.

Therefore, for example, if multiple product selection switches are pressed at the same time due to mischief or the like, or... Since it is possible to accurately determine whether or not a product can be sold even if the button is pressed at different timings or intermittently, there is no risk that the wrong product will be sold. Note that when two or more product selection switches 7 are pressed between time points A and C shown in FIG. 3, the switch contacts of each product selection switch 7 are connected in series as shown in FIG. Therefore, the selling price setting value corresponding to the product selection switch 7 connected to the position closest to point a becomes valid, and the self-holding of the output drive relay 14 is activated in response to the depression of the product selection switch. The circuit must work.

The time required to complete the operation of the self-holding circuit is the third
It is desirable that it be within the period between points A and C shown in the figure. Further, after the operation of the self-holding circuit is confirmed by the potential at point c in the configuration shown in FIG. 2, the selling operation is started as shown in waveform 8 in FIG. 3, and the goods are carried out. become. As explained above, the central processing unit repeatedly reads the selection switch signal and invalidates the control data from the control switch 4 depending on the logic level of the selection switch signal.
After confirming that the product selection switch 7 is pressed, the product to be sold can be confirmed.

As a result, when the conditions for product sales are established and determined, the control transistor 11 in the configuration shown in the second diagram is controlled to bring the potential at point a to a high logic level, thereby switching the product selection switch after determining the product to be sold. Pressing can be disabled. As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, by generating a selection switch signal that causes a potential change when any product selection switch is pressed, control data for a vending machine control switch and sales Since the control data and the sales price setting data can be distinguished from each other, the same data line can be used to transmit the control data and the sales price setting data, and the selection and confirmation of sales products can be carried out appropriately. Therefore, a highly reliable coin mechanism device for vending machines can be provided at low cost.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a conventional coin mechanism device, Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the main parts of the coin mechanism device of the present invention, and Fig. 3 similarly shows the mode of operation of each part thereof. There is a timing chart. 1... Central processing unit, 2... Coin input terminal, 3... Amount display, 4... Control switch, 5... sales pricing switch,
6...Sold out switch, 7...Product selection switch, 8...Change dispensing mechanism, 9...
... Output relay, 10 ... Decoder, 11
... Control transistor, 12 ... Amplifier circuit, 13 ... Self-holding contact, 14 ...
...Output drive relay, 15...Resistance circuit.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Count the coins inserted, pay out change, set the selling price according to the selection of the product to be sold, and start the selling operation when the amount of coins inserted reaches the set selling price. In the coin mechanism device of a vending machine, the selling price corresponding to the product selection switch is set according to the operation of the product selection switch, and the signal voltage source is connected in series through a resistor at both ends. Detects the opening of any of the normally closed contacts of the product selection switch due to the operation of the product selection switch, and compares the amount of coins inserted and the sales price set value only during a predetermined short period of time after the normally closed contact is detected to be open. A coin mechanism device having a sales confirmation function, characterized in that the product to be sold is confirmed by going to the store. 2. In the coin mechanism device according to claim 1, the sales price setting switch circuit and the control switch circuit are connected to a central processing unit via a common data line, and the coin mechanism device is configured to operate according to the operation of the product selection switch. By supplying the sales price set value to the central processing unit at a higher speed than the control information from the control switch circuit, the control information from the control switch circuit is supplied to the central processing unit in response to the operation of the product selection switch. A coin mechanism device having a sales confirmation function, characterized in that the supply to a central processing unit and the sales price set value supplied to the central processing unit immediately before the operation are respectively invalidated. 3. The coin mechanism device according to claim 1, which has a sales confirmation function that disables at least one of the control information and the data matching counter when the contact potential of the product selection switch changes. Coin mechanism device.