JPS61211794A - Vending machine - 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] [Summary] The present invention is a vending machine that can dispense change, and is equipped with an out-of-change monitoring device in addition to the remaining change alarm device installed by the manufacturer.

[Industrial Field of Application] The present invention relates to an out-of-change monitoring device in a vending machine for goods.

[Prior Art] Vending machines that vend goods are equipped with a mechanism that automatically dispenses change in order to improve service. In FIG. 2, after the customer inserts a predetermined amount of money into the amount calculation unit 1, he issues a purchase request signal to the goods sales unit 2, and when the predetermined amount is released, the customer compares the amount of goods and the amount inserted. , determines the amount of change required and issues a command to the change dispenser 3. The change dispenser 3 dispenses change in the form of coins, for example, in response to the command.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Manufacturers of vending machines provide a remaining amount detector 4 for the change dispenser 3. This is because when the change runs out, it needs to be replenished manually. At this time, the equipment must be temporarily stopped and sales of goods must be disabled. The above-mentioned remaining amount detector 4 has been manufactured so as to issue an air end alarm only when, for example, there are three or fewer coins remaining, regardless of the type of goods to be sold. Therefore, when selling a product that often requires four pieces of change, the purchase operation may not be possible due to a device that does not display the amount of change. Furthermore, it is not possible for the user to make any improvements to the remaining amount detection mechanism itself.

An object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine which is equipped with an out-of-change monitoring device that can set a predetermined balance alarm start value in addition to the out-of-change detection device installed by the manufacturer.

Means for Solving Problem F] The present invention includes a means for setting the amount of money inserted for change, a means for detecting the amount of change released, a means for calculating the remaining amount of change, a means for changing the starting value of the remaining money alarm, and 1. a remaining money alarm. A monitoring device consisting of means and means is added.

[Operations] Since the change balance monitoring means can make the alarm generation criteria variable, the starting value can be appropriately selected depending on the type of product being sold and the location where the vending machine is set, so balance monitoring can be performed accurately and service can be improved. Become.

[Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 10 is an out-of-change monitoring device added according to the present invention, 11 is a means for setting the amount of change to be put in, such as a push button switch, and 12 is a means for detecting the amount of change released, which is installed near the change outlet to detect the amount of change. 13 subtracts the detected amount of change from the initially set amount using the change remaining amount calculation means/remaining amount alarm start value changing means, and notifies the display means of the result, and when the amount becomes less than a predetermined value, an alarm generator is activated. This shall be notified to the following. Reference numeral 14 denotes a balance alarm start value changing means that changes the alarm start value to be notified to the alarm generator 16 as described later, and the variable mechanism as the changing means is manually set by the operator from outside the monitoring device 10. Put it as possible. Reference numeral 15 denotes a change remaining amount display means, for example, which displays on the back of the vending machine so that the operator can see how much change is left, and 16 an alarm generator which generates an alarm when the change remaining amount falls below a predetermined value. It is something to do.

Initially, the operator notifies the calculation means 13 of the amount of change prepared as change using a switch of the setting means 11. If the device is equipped with a mechanism for using the customer's purchase price as change, the setting means 11 includes a device for counting the amount and notifies the calculation means 13 of the counting result. Further, the alarm generation value of the calculating means 13 is selected to be an appropriate value.

When the customer starts purchasing goods and the change is released, the calculation means 13 operates based on a notification from the detection means 12. And when the change decreases below the above-mentioned selected value, the alarm generator 1
5 operates and notifies the operator.

In the present invention, when a large number of vending machines are installed, it is desirable to collectively monitor only the display means among the monitoring and display means of the device in a centralized monitoring section.

At that time, appropriate instructions can be quickly given to the change replenishment worker at the setting location. Even after the start of processing, if it is appropriate to change the alarm generation value, such as when the customer's purchasing style changes or when an item that sells well is unexpected, the operator can change the balance alarm start value changing means 14. Make adjustments.

[Effects of the Invention] Thus, according to the present invention, in a vending machine having a change air end alarm device, a change monitoring device is added in addition to the device installed by the manufacturer, making the device easy to use and see. This makes it easy to monitor change that is appropriate for the location and time of use. Therefore, it becomes easier for customers to purchase from the vending machine, which has the effect of improving service.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a conventional configuration. 1 - Amount calculation section 2 - Goods sales section 3 - Change dispensing machine 4 - Remaining amount detector 10 - Out of change monitoring device 11 - Change input amount setting means 12 - Change discharging amount detection means 13 - Change remaining amount calculation means 14 - Remaining balance alarm start value changing means 15 - Remaining change display means 16 - Alarm generator Patent 1 Former applicant Fujitsu Limited Agent Patent attorney Eisuke Suzuki 2Q-

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] In addition to the change air-end alarm device installed by the vending machine manufacturer in a vending machine for goods, there is provided change input amount setting means (11), change output amount detection means (12), and change. An out-of-change device characterized by adding an out-of-change monitoring device (10) comprising a remaining amount calculating means (13), a change remaining amount alarm start value changing means (14), and a remaining amount alarm displaying means (16). Vending machine with monitoring device.