JPS6114560B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method for inspecting equipment using a photodetector, and particularly to a method for inspecting a vending machine or the like using a photodetector.

Devices such as vending machines (we will discuss an example of an automatic ticket vending machine below) use a large number of photodetector type detectors, and these detectors detect each part of the device and sequentially detect them in a predetermined order. I'm trying to get it to work. Many detectors are also used to detect the damage of inputted goods. If there is an abnormality in this photodetector, the automatic ticket vending machine will not operate properly.
Also, the amount of money lost will not be counted accurately. Conventionally, this photodetector was known to detect an abnormality when there was an abnormality in the operation of the automatic ticket vending machine, such as when the printing plate drum continued to rotate in the printing mechanism of the automatic ticket vending machine, or when the printing plate drum continued to rotate in the case of the coin mechanism. This becomes apparent only when a phenomenon occurs, such as coins not being counted or change not being properly dispensed. As a result, unexpected accidents may occur.
In addition, troubles often occurred with customers.

In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to prevent abnormal operation of a device by operating the device while testing a photodetector at a predetermined timing.

The present invention provides a test signal generation circuit that outputs a test signal to a photodetector installed in a device, and also includes a detection circuit that detects when the detector does not respond to the test signal as expected. A vending machine that uses a photodetector that outputs a test signal at a predetermined time to test the detector while operating the device, and prevents the device from operating if there is an abnormality in the photodetector. Provide an inspection method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings regarding one embodiment of a single automatic ticket vending machine.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a coin mechanism, 2 is a printing device, 3 is an operating section, and 4 is a control circuit for controlling the coin mechanism 1, printing device 2, operating section 3, etc. The coin mechanism 1 sorts the coins inserted into the coin slot on the customer side by type, then distinguishes between authenticity and takes in only genuine coins, which are detected and counted with a photodetector. When change is needed, coins are released into a tray on the customer service side. The ejected coins are detected by a photodetector and counted until they reach a predetermined amount. When a coin is inserted and a selection button is operated, the printing device 2 rotates a rotating drum, stops a predetermined printing plate at a printing position, prints, feeds a tape, cuts the tape, and issues a ticket. However, the printing plates are selected by detecting perforations in the code plate with a photodetector, and the operation of each part is carried out as prescribed by detecting protrusions and the like by a photodetector.

Similarly to the coin mechanism 1 and the printing device 2, movable parts of the operating section 4 and the like are detected by photodetectors and perform predetermined operations.

Since the above-mentioned automatic ticket vending machine is well known, a detailed explanation will be omitted, but if there is an abnormality in the photodetector used in this automatic ticket vending machine, conventionally the coin mechanism 1 cannot accurately count the inserted coins. In addition, the specified amount of change will not be released, and the printing device 2 will no longer issue specified tickets, and other parts will also not operate normally as described above, causing unexpected accidents and damage. There is a fear.

Figure 2 is a block diagram of the circuit that detects and issues an alarm when there is an abnormality in the photodetector.This will be explained below.1 is the coin mechanism, and 2 is the printing device. , 3 indicates an operating section, which corresponds to that in FIG. 5A...... is a photodetector provided in the coin mechanism 1, 5B...
... is a photodetector provided in the printing device 2, and 5c...
. . . are photodetectors provided in the operating section 3, etc. These photodetectors are completely similar and are collectively referred to as number 5 in FIG. 6 is a test signal generation circuit, which is output when the ticket issuing operation is completed.
When the release standby signal 7a at High level (which stops being output when the next customer inserts the first coin) is input, the test signal 6a is output to all the photodetectors 5. 8 is a gate circuit that outputs a reset signal 8a when all signals 1a from the photodetector 5A provided in the coin mechanism 1 are input; 9 is a photodetector 5 provided in the printing device 2;
This is a gate circuit that outputs a reset signal 9a when all signals 2a from B... are input. 10 is a photodetector 5c provided in the operation section 3, etc.
This is a gate circuit that outputs a reset signal 10a when all signals 3c from . . . are input. 11 is a one-shot pulse generation circuit,
When the release standby signal 7a is input, a one shot pulse 11a is output. 12 is set by the one shot pulse 11a and outputs the signal 12.
a, and the reset signal 8 from the gate circuit 8
13 is a flip-flop circuit similar to the flip-flop circuit 12, which is reset by a reset signal 9a from the gate circuit 9. 14 is also a flip-flop circuit similar to the flip-flop circuits 12 and 13, and is reset by the reset signal 10a from the gate circuit 10. 15 is a timer which starts when the signal 12a from the flip-flop circuit 12 is input, and when the signal 12a does not disappear within a set time, that is, when the flip-flop circuit 12 is not reset, it notifies an abnormality of the photodetector 5A of the coin mechanism 1. An abnormality signal 15a is output. 16 and 17 are also timers similar to the timer 15, and the timer 16 is connected to the photodetector 5 of the printing device 2.
Outputs an abnormality signal 16a to notify the abnormality of B,
7 outputs an abnormality signal 17a that indicates an abnormality in the photodetector 5c of the operating section 3 or the like. 18 is abnormal signal 15
An indicator light that lights up when a is being output to notify that there is an abnormality in the coin mechanism 1, 19
20 is an indicator light that indicates that there is an abnormality in the printing device 2, and 20 is an indicator light that indicates that there is an error in the operating unit 3, etc. When either of these indicators is displayed, an alarm is sent via the OR circuit 21. A signal 21a is output. This can prevent malfunctions by activating alarms or disabling automatic ticket vending machines.

FIG. 3 is a more specific circuit diagram of a test signal generating circuit and a photodetector, which are used in the counting section. In FIG. 3, 22 is a pulse oscillation circuit, 23 is a gate circuit, into which a pulse signal 22a from the pulse oscillation circuit 22 and a release standby signal 7a are input.
When the release standby signal 7a is input, the pulse signal 22a
is output to the OR circuit 24. The OR circuit 24 receives this pulse signal 22a via the gate circuit 23 or the negative signal 25a of the release standby signal 7a. In other words, if it is waiting for a sale (from the time the sale is completed until the first coin is inserted), the pulse signal 2
2a, and outputs a negative signal 25a of the sales standby signal 7a to the photodetector 5 during the sales operation. 26 is an amplifier, 27 is a gate circuit, and a signal 26a from the amplifier 26 and a negative signal 25a are input to this gate circuit 27. This gate circuit outputs the signal 27a in response to the detection by the photodetector 5 because the gate is opened by the negative signal 25a during the sales operation, and the negative signal 25a is not output during the sales standby. , the gate is closed and the signal 27a detected by the photodetector 5 is not output.
A pulse generating circuit 28 outputs one pulse at the rise or fall of the signal 26a from the amplifier 26, and the signal 28a from this circuit corresponds to the signals 1a, 2a, and 3a in FIG. Next, the effect will be explained.

Normally, when the automatic ticket vending machine is not in use and is on standby, the flip-flop circuits 12 and 1
3 and 14 are reset, the release standby signal 7a is output, and the test signal output circuit 6 outputs the test signal 6a.
is output to the light detection 5. In this state, a coin is first inserted into the coin slot on the customer service side, and a photodetector installed in the coin slot (this photodetector is designed to output a test signal for a certain period of time after the sale is completed). When detected by the photodetectors 5, a negative signal 25a is sent to all the photodetectors 5, and the normal operating state is established. When the photodetector in this state detects, for example, a coin, the amplifier 26 outputs a signal 26a, and the gate circuit 27 outputs a signal 27a to perform counting. As described above, if all the photodetectors 5 are normal, the coin mechanism 1, the printing device 2, the operating section 8, etc. perform the selling operation as determined. When the sale operation is completed, a sale standby signal 7a is output. As a result, a pulse is output from the one-shot pulse generation circuit 11 and the flip-flop circuits 12 and 1
3, 14, and timers 15, 16, 17.
start. At the same time, the test signal generation circuit 6
The test signal 6a (pulse from the pulse oscillation circuit 22) is outputted to all the photodetectors 5 to detect its rising or falling edge, and the normal photodetectors output pulse signals 1a, 2a, and 3a. If there is no abnormality in all the photodetectors installed in one block, signals 8a, 9a, 1 are output from gate circuits 8, 9, 10.
0a outputs. This resets the flip-flop circuits 12, 13, and 14, and resets the timer 1.
Stop 5, 16, 17. In the unlikely event that even one photodetector malfunctions, the gate circuit will not output a signal and the flip-flop circuit will not reset. It is possible to know that there is an abnormality in the photodetector by outputting an abnormality signal after a set time has elapsed. In the above embodiment, an automatic ticket vending machine is used as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this automatic ticket vending machine. Although the test signal generating circuit 6 is shown in FIG. 2 to supply test signals to all photodetectors, it can also be provided for each block, and pulses may not necessarily be used as test signals. Often, for example, if a photodetector is not outputting a signal that should be output when it is normal while waiting for a product to be released, we can detect this and investigate the abnormality.
Alternatively, it may be used to detect abnormalities due to high or low voltage.

As described above, according to the present invention, since a vending machine or the like is inspected while testing a photodetector at a predetermined timing, abnormal operation of the vending machine or the like can be prevented.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show one embodiment of an inspection system for vending machines, etc. using a photodetector according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main parts, FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram. In the figure, 1: coin mechanism, 2: printing device,
4: Control circuit, 5A, 5B, 5C: Photodetector,
6: Test signal generation circuit, 7a: Release standby signal,
11: One shot pulse generation circuit, 11a: Test signal, 15, 16, 17: Timer, 15
a, 16a, 17a: abnormal signal, 22: pulse oscillation circuit.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In a device using a photodetector, the operation standby signal generated when the device is on standby is input to a test signal output circuit and a one-shot pulse generator, and the test signal output from the test signal output circuit is sent to each photodetector. The output of the photodetector is passed through an AND circuit to the reset input of the flip-flop, the output of the one-shot pulse generator is used as its set input, the set output of the flip-flop is input to a timer, and the set time is An inspection method for vending machines, etc. using a photodetector, characterized in that an abnormality signal is output from the timer when there is no reset input to a flip-flop.