JPS6083192A - Apparatus and method for automatically vending article having separate purchase handling station and delivery station - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an automatic vending system for goods, and more particularly to a system using an automatic transfer device located remotely from a pick-up station.

(Background of the Invention) Many goods sold in large quantities at relatively high selling prices are
It has become very problematic for retailers recently due to issues of theft and destocking. A typical example of such an article is a prerecorded audio and video tape cassette.

If these items were to be displayed on open shelves, the losses would be extremely high and sales in that manner would be completely unfeasible from a business point of view. On the other hand, arranging items in a lockable cabinet increases the amount of work time required by store staff, and does not solve the problem of theft by store staff.

One of the seven solutions to these problems is the use of vending machines. However, vending machines generally require buyers to use coins and have limited ability to exchange money. Therefore, vending machines are considered inconvenient and unsuitable for relatively high-value items. Additionally, many vending machines are not designed to prevent theft.

The object of the invention is to solve the above problem by combining the concept of article arrangement in a vending machine with the traditional concept of a central station where a teller collects purchase prices. Another purpose is to provide a system that can reliably prevent theft by the general public or store staff. Yet another object is to provide a system that is easily compatible with computerized inventory management and accounting systems.

(Summary of the Invention) In order to achieve the above object, an article purchasing and delivery device according to the present invention includes a writing device for encoding a message carrier containing data corresponding to each type of article to be delivered. It has a purchase initiation station.

A reader at the purchase initiation station determines whether the message carrier has been used.

One or more transfer stations are located at 'A#' away from the manual station. Each station includes a plurality of receptacles capable of storing six items. A discharge mechanism is attached to each container, and articles are selectively discharged weekly depending on the activation of the discharge mechanism. A reader for decoding the message carrier and generating a signal for actuating a release mechanism associated with the receptacle corresponding to the encoded data also forms part of the transfer station. A second writer at the delivery station re-encodes the message carrier to indicate that a particular purchased item has been delivered.

Preferably, the data is recorded magnetically onto the carrier. A sensor may also be included in the transfer station to detect one of the articles ejected by the ejection mechanism and actuate a writer in the transfer station to re-encode the message carrier.

Another feature of the invention is a method of operating the system described above. According to this method, the message carrier is encoded at the purchase initiation station according to data corresponding to each type of goods to be delivered; the message carrier is then presented at the delivery station located at and the goods are released. The carrier is then re-encoded according to other data indicating that the article has been released. The gearbox is then returned to the purchase origination station where it is decoded to determine that the item has been delivered.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

(Description of Preferred Embodiments) Article purchasing and delivery device configured according to the present invention ff
: includes a purchase initiation station 10 and an article delivery station 11 located remotely therefrom.

However, lit・[Enter X? Preferably, the seven hand stations 1o and the article delivery stations 11 are located in the same retail store (see the complete block diagram in FIG. 7). J
Li? The manual station 1o includes a writer 12 for encoding a piece of magnetic tape affixed on a message carrier, a plastic card similar to an ordinary credit card. The convolver 12 itself may be any conventional device such as those commonly used to encode credit cards and cards used in magnetically actuated locking devices.

The clerk uses the key code 13 to select the specific item 1 to be handed over.
Encode the gearbox containing data representing 4.

For example, on the article 14 or recording cassette platform, a cassette containing music selections by a particular artist is identified by its data. The identification 1a information is sent to the computer 15, where the publisher is recorded for accounting and inventory purposes. Use of this information for other purposes may be more convenient and advantageous and is not contrary to the invention, but does not constitute a part of the invention. In any case, it is necessary for the message carrier to be encoded according to the data corresponding to the article 14 to be delivered.

The format for recording information can be selected at the time of preparation, but it is best to create a unique format for each specific system so that a message carrier that can be encoded at one store cannot be used at another store.

The clerk, on the other hand, collects payment for the item 14 automatically and in a convenient manner. ■Including the V115 child display 16 at the child start station 1o, displays the same information encoded from the carrier, so that the buyer can be assured that the clerk correctly understood the purchase and sale contents and completed the manual work in a timely manner. 2. Once the carrier has been encoded, the buyer takes it to the delivery station 11 containing the goods 14 to be delivered. Delivery station 11 laughs out: 1st. Ω
As shown in the figure. The transfer station 11 includes a cabinet 17 in which a plurality of containers 18 are housed extending from front to rear and arranged in horizontal rows. Each container 18
is matched to the article 14 of the specific layer 1 class, and similar articles are placed in its container. Therefore, a particular type of article 14
The data on the corresponding message carrier also corresponds to the respective container 18 into which the article is placed.

The front side of the open container 18 is provided with a release mechanism 20 comprising an open frame 21 with a support member 22 in the form of a trap door forming a bottom. This release mechanism 20Ii, 3. U.S. Patent No. 2, issued to Collins et al.
/,! ;, the mechanism is very similar to the mechanism disclosed in detail in No. gθθ.

As shown in Figure 2, a solenoid 23 forming part of the release mechanism 20 is mounted below the corresponding opening container 18. When the solenoid 23 is actuated, the door 22 pivots to the open position at the same time that the clamp 24 forces the top of the article 14 downwardly and through the bottom of the IE L-'C1 ejector groove 20. Along with this, the article 14 compresses the leaf spring 25, and the two -T-? Slide and warp across the neat Zoid finger 26. The remaining articles 14 are moved to the front of the container 18 by a spring-loaded carriage 27. In this manner, each article 14 is ejected one by one from its corresponding container 18.

Immediately behind the front face 19, the +'lT1 side of the ejector 4'820: 1. ■llll The through-shaped chamber 28 is a cabinet)
It extends by cutting 17. Bottom row collection ':! %
The chamber 2a located below 1B awaits the task of receiving the layer weight 14 delivered by the ejection mechanism 20. The bottom 30 of the booby pack 2B is defined by λ vertical walls 32 spaced just wide enough to receive one of the articles 14 in the same orientation as it was in the container 18. The top 34 of each vertical wall 32 is
They extend toward the front and rear of the cabinet 17, respectively, and guide the articles 14 toward the narrow bottom 30.

A conveyor mechanism 36 consisting of an endless belt 38 driven by a nollie 40 and a motor (not shown) extends horizontally across the bottom of the chamber 28 forming the floor of the chamber. The conveyor has solid parts 36a and 36b for conveying the articles 14 to a pulling mechanism 42, and the conveying mechanism 42 has a reed in the center of the cabinet 11 and two conveyor belts 38.
located between.

As shown in FIG. 2, the transfer mechanism 42 has a transfer table 44 having a U-shaped cross section, and when the transfer mechanism is in the closed position as shown, the transfer table 44 has a rectangular chamber structure cut away. It forms the central portion of the bottom 30 of the chamber 28 . In front of and immediately below the transfer table 44 is an outlet tray 46 supported by the front panel 19. Outlet tray 46
A tube 41 integrally extends upwardly therefrom, forming a discharge opening 48 thereon. Once the articles 14 have passed through the tube 47 and reached the outlet tray 46, they are easily accessible from the exterior of the cabinet 11 and are easily removed.

When the article 14 in the transfer table 44 is delivered, the transfer table 44
is moved forward to the open position (shown in phantom in FIG. 69g), where the open bottom of the transfer platform is aligned with the discharge opening 48 and the articles can fall into the exit tray 46. Thereafter, the transfer table 44 returns to the closed position by reciprocating. This reciprocating motion is caused by the direction of movement of the conveyor belt 38 and the direction of movement of the chamber 28.
perpendicular to the direction of stretch.

A protection grate 52 extends from the front end of the transfer table 44 . When the delivery mechanism 42 is in the closed position, the protective plate 5
2 covers the discharge opening 48. When the transfer table 44 moves forward, the rock protection grate 52 slides forward over the tube 4T and moves out of the discharge opening.

The motor 56 moves the transfer table 44 and the protective grate 52! The motor is attached to a shelf 57 located directly behind the transfer table 44 and below the container 18, and is attached to a rigid link 58.
It is connected to the transfer table via. The force of the motor 56 is
It shall be strong enough not to injure the hand inserted into the delivery mechanism. A complete rotation of motor 56 moves transfer platform 44 from its rotation position to its open position and back to its parent closed position. When the link 58 has reached its maximum distance of travel, the transfer table 44 is of course located on the outgoing tray 46, and the end of the link connected to the motor is arced relative to the lateral movement of the transfer table. , mainly moving in a criss-cross pattern.

The operating cycle of the apparatus 10 will now be described. to be discharged. At the same time, the conveyor belt 38 is energized. The ejected articles 14 fall into the chamber 28 and are guided to the lower part 36a of the chamber where they rest on one of the conveyor belts 38. The belt 3 then carries the article 14 toward the center of the apparatus 10 and into the transfer device 44 . Of course, when the article 14 is initially introduced into the portion of the chamber 28 directly above the transfer stage 44, the article 14
falls directly into the transfer table without falling onto any conveyor belt 38.

When the ejected article 14 enters the transfer table 44 , it is detected by one or both of the - optical article sensors 60 and energizes the motor 56 .

This causes the transfer table 44 to move forward and drop the first product 14 through the discharge port 48 and into the outlet tray 46. When the transfer platform 44 returns to its original closed position, this is detected by the optical position sensor 62, which causes a signal from the sensor to deactivate the motor 56 and provide a positive indication that the article 14 has been delivered. give. Please note that the position sensor 62 will not emit a signal unless the following λ conditions are satisfied: (1) The article 14 must be inside the transfer table 44. )
The transfer platform must have completed its reciprocating motion. If the container 18 is empty or no article 14 is dispensed due to a malfunction, the position sensor 62 will not generate a signal.

The anti-theft properties of the device should also be evaluated. When the transfer mechanism 42 is in the normal closed position, there is no access to the interior of the transfer station through the exit tray 46. If the hand is inserted into the outlet tray 46, it will at best reach the top of the tube 470, where the outlet opening 48 is blocked by the guard plate 52.

In order for the transfer station 11 to begin its normal operating cycle, the corresponding ejection mechanism 22 must be energized. This activation is accomplished by inserting the message carrier into a conventional card reader 7o, such as those used to read magnetically encoded credit cards and the like. When the card is read, the ejecting mechanism 2o of the container 1B is actuated, corresponding to the record r-e, by energizing the solenoid 23 via a control device 71 consisting of, for example, a microprocessor, and the desired article 14 is delivered. .

When the article 14 is released from the container 18, this is detected by the article sensor 60 and the position sensor 62. A signal generated by one of these sensors 60, 62 energizes the writer T2 of the transfer station 11. Preferably, this biasing signal is obtained from position sensor 62. Because,
This is because the signal from position sensor 62 indicates the occurrence of the last movement that must occur before article 1'4 is physically in the hands of the buyer. That is, the writer 72 of the transfer station 11 is not energized by the energization of the solenoid 23 and the operation of the ejection mechanism 20 until the article 14 is actually ejected.

When activated, the writer 72 re-encodes the message carrier. Writer 72 of delivery station 11
has the same configuration as the writer 12 of the purchase initiation station 10. The writer 72 simply rewrites the information identifying the container 18 that corresponds to the delivered article in a different format. Alternatively, the original information recorded on the message carrier may be retained as is, and data may be added or removed in the re-encoding step.

However, an entirely new record is preferred since it would be much more difficult to reuse it due to unauthorized alteration of the message carrier.

Also, entirely new recordings can easily be obtained with conventional magnetic tape recording equipment that does not need to be specially configured for that purpose.

The message carrier used and re-encoded is
It is then returned to the purchase initiation station 10 where it is read by the reader T4. Also, if the delivery station 11 does not release the desired article 14 due to a malfunction or because the designated receptacle 18 is empty, it is determined at the purchase origination station that the message carrier is not changed by writing and the buyer receives a refund. .

From the above description, it is clear that the present invention can provide a highly secure and reliable system for vending goods. The system is particularly suitable for vending video and audio tape cassettes, where the problem of theft has recently become important. Additionally, the system includes a computerized inventory that displays purchases and sales of items sold by buyers.
Since it can be input into management and accounting systems, it can be easily adapted to these systems.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and explained above,
Obviously, modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 is a perspective view of a transfer station constructed in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway left side view of the transfer station of FIG. A partial front view of the inside of the delivery station, showing two containers and the conveyor mechanism; the second view is a partial cross-sectional view of the inside of the delivery station, seen from the left side, showing the bottom row of containers and the conveyor mechanism. Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the portion indicated by arrow 5 in Figure 7, with the delivery mechanism in the energized position; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the delivery mechanism in the closed position; Figure 7 is an enlarged partial front view of the delivery mechanism; Figure 2g is an enlarged portion of the delivery mechanism in the closed position; A plan view; and FIG. 7 are schematic block diagrams showing a purchase initiation station and a delivery station of the present invention. 10...Purchase initiation station, 11... Goods distribution station, 12. 22...fl'r / writing device, 14...article, 17...cabinet, 18...
- Container, 20... Release mechanism, 42... Delivery mechanism,
46... Outlet tray, 60... Article sensor, 62...
...Position sensor, 70...Second reader, 72...
-Second notification device, 74...first reading device. Huge:・iigu)I′11j1. (1) No pleadings to J.Yong)
Flow 0. g. Procedural amendment (method) Month, 1980 Director General of the Japan Patent Office 1, Indication of case Patent application No. 1882.7 of 1982! J
No. 3 Correcting the sleeves and the relationship with the case Applicant's name: WARTOX COBORACE 31-4, Agent 5, Amendment order Roy ζ 1 January 1980 311'' 7.
Contents of the amendment A one-on-one engraving (no changes to the content) as shown in the attached sheet.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) (a) a first writing means containing data corresponding to each type of article to be delivered; and (b) decoding the returned message carrier to determine whether the message carrier was used to deliver the article; and (c) a plurality of receptacles capable of accommodating the various articles described above;
l) In order to selectively deliver the above-mentioned goods when +j force is imposed;
(e) a discharge means attached to each of said containers;
(t) first reading means for decoding said message carrier and energizing seven said ejection means attached to said seven said containers corresponding to said encoded data; and (t) said message carrier. at least one article delivery station comprising a first writing means for re-encoding the article and indicating that said article has been discharged; In the article purchasing and delivery device according to scope 1, the seventh and second writing means magnetically read information; the first and first reading means read information recorded thereon; A device that magnetically reads information. 0 for said delivery station to detect an article ejected by one of said ejection means and to energize said second writing means to re-encode said message carrier in response. An article purchasing and delivery device characterized in that it includes a sensor means of. (f) A process of encoding a message carrier containing data corresponding to each type of goods to be delivered at a purchase initiation station; A process of presenting the message carrier from a purchase initiation station to an article delivery station; the above data; a step of decoding the message carrier and releasing an article corresponding to the data; a step of re-encoding said message carrier containing a different 'fc7J-Y' to indicate that the article has been released; a step of returning the message carrier to the purchase origination station; and decode the re-encoded message carrier,
A method for delivering an article, comprising: a step of determining whether the article has been delivered.