JPS62109192A - Information processing system for 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] [Technical field to which the invention pertains]

The present invention relates to a system for processing sales information, failure information, sold-out information, etc. of a vending machine (also abbreviated as vending machine) without visiting the location where the vending machine is installed.

[Prior art and its problems]

Conventionally, this type of information processing device stores the above-mentioned information in the control device of a vending machine, and when you want to check sales information, for example, you can check the vending machine by operating an operation key provided on the control device. Devices are known in which the information is displayed on a digital display inside a car, printed out by a printer, or read by a separate device. However, such a device has the following problems. ■Since all information is stored inside the vending machine, it is necessary to go to the location where the vending machine is installed to check or operate it. - Considering the cost, volume, etc. of the vending machine, the storage capacity of the control device installed inside the Ui machine is limited, resulting in a lack of necessary information. ■If a vending machine is malfunctioning or a product is sold out, it is difficult to find out unless you go to the vending machine, so the vending machine is left unused for a long time, resulting in poor operating efficiency.

[Purpose of the invention]

The present invention aims to eliminate the above-mentioned problems and provide a system that can quickly inform vending machine owners of appropriate vending machine information without the need for them to visit the vending machines.

[Key points of the invention]

The gist of the present invention is that a vending machine control device is provided with a data communication means, and each time data generated based on the operation of a vending machine installed outside the store is transmitted via the communication means to an information processing unit installed inside the store, for example. By transmitting data to the device, all data such as vending machine sales data, sold-out data, failure data, etc. can be immediately grasped in the store, and data setting and confirmation for the vending machine can also be done via the information processing device. The main point is that we have made it possible to do so. In other words, the gist of the invention is that one or more vending machines,
This system is equipped with a common information processing device that communicates data with this vending machine via a transmission line, and the vending machine is configured in advance for the operation of the vending machine received from the information processing device. data (settings data, etc.)
A first storage means (hereinafter referred to as first data)
setting data storage means, etc.), and a first command corresponding to the command in the first storage means based on the first command also received.
data to the information processing device (CPU, transmission means, etc.), and various data generated in conjunction with the operation of the vending machine (input/output data, sales data, out-of-change and sold-out data, failure data). The information processing device is equipped with means (such as a monetary mechanism, a product delivery mechanism, a CPU, and a transmitting means) for transmitting the same data (hereinafter referred to as second data) each time the data is generated, and the information processing device transmits the first data inputted by the operation. means (setting/instruction means, CPU, transmission means, etc.) to transmit the first command to the vending machine (setting/instruction means, CPU, transmission means, etc.); A means (such as a display means) for outputting the first data received from the vending machine based on the command to the outside;
a second storage means (data storage means, etc.) for storing second data received from the vending machine or second data processed as necessary (total sales amount, total number of sales, etc.); A means (buzzer, display means, printer, etc.) for outputting predetermined data (out-of-fishing and sold-out data, failure data, etc.) out of the second data obtained, and a second command inputted by operation. , means (setting/command means, CPU, display means, printer, etc.) for outputting the second data corresponding to the command in the second storage means to the outside.

[Embodiments of the invention]

The present invention will be explained in detail below based on FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration as an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an external view of the system. Note that the same reference numerals in each figure indicate the same or corresponding parts. In FIG. 2, the control device 4 of the Ui machine 1 installed outside the store is connected via the data transmission line 2 to the information processing device 3 installed inside the store. On the side of the vending machine 1 in Fig. 1, 5 is a selection button part, which includes a product selection button (abbreviated as selection button), a sold-out lamp indicating that the product is sold out, and a selection button for the product based on the insertion of a coin. A sellable lamp is provided to indicate that a selection is possible, and an amount display to display the input amount. Reference numeral 6 denotes a currency mechanism for validating currency and carrying out change, and 7 is a carrying-out mechanism for carrying out goods. 8 is a CPU provided in the control device 4, which controls the vending machine and controls communication with the information processing device 3. 8A is a setting data storage means that stores in advance data (product setting prices, etc.) necessary for the operation of the vending machine. Reference numeral 9 denotes a money control means, which receives the money denomination signal etc. from the money mechanism 6 and controls the money mechanism 6. Similarly, 10 is a driving means for driving the product delivery mechanism 7, 11 is a means for transmitting data to the information processing device 3, and 12 is a means for receiving data from the information processing device 3. Further, in the information processing device 3 shown in the figure, 13 is means for receiving data from the vending machine 1, and 14 is a means for transmitting data to the vending machine 1. 15 is a CPU that controls the information processing device 3 and controls communication with the vending machine 1; Reference numeral 16 denotes a data storage means that stores various data (sales data, sold-out data, failure data, etc.) that are generated with the operation of the vending machine 1 and transmitted from the vending machine 1 each time the data occurs. Reference numeral 17 denotes a printer, which prints out corresponding data based on commands from the setting/command means 18. 18 is a setting/command means such as a keyboard, which is used to set various data necessary for the operation of the vending machine 1 and input various commands. Reference numeral 19 denotes a display driving means for driving a display means including an LCD, a monitor lamp, and the like. 20 is a buzzer as a warning means. Next, the operation shown in FIG. 1 will be explained. The money inserted by the vending machine user is discriminated by the money mechanism 6, and when the money control means 9 receives a denomination signal from the mechanism 6, the amount data of the money is stored in the CPU 8. Further, the CPU 8 displays the total amount of the inserted money on the amount display of the selection button section 5, and also displays the total amount of the inserted money on the amount display of the selection button section 5. It is compared with the set price of the product stored in the data storage means 8A to determine whether it can be sold. If the product is available for sale, a sellable lamp built into the selection button section 5 corresponding to the product is lit to notify the user and permit selection of the selection button. Next, when the vending machine user presses the selection button, the CPU 8 controls the drive means 10 to operate the product delivery mechanism 7 corresponding to the pressed selection button, and finishes delivery of the product. The CPU 8 generates various data such as sales data, sold-out data of products, and failure data of each means for operating the vending machine (e.g., currency mechanism, product delivery mechanism) generated in conjunction with the operation of the vending machine as described above. Notsudo data transmission means 11
The data is transmitted to the information processing device 3 via the data transmission line 2. In the information processing device 3, the CPU 15 receives the data via the receiving means 13, and also sends a message indicating that the data has been received via the transmitting means 14, the transmission line 2, and the receiving means 12.
Notify pu8. Next, the CPU 15 organizes the received data, stores it in the data storage means 16, and depending on the type of data, sounds a buzzer 20 as an alarm means, controls the display drive means 19, and controls the display means 21. LCD
A message is sent to the user, and a monitor lamp in the display means 21 is also displayed. In addition, the setting/instruction means 18 includes a confirmation key for the sold-out column of the vending machine 1 (here, the column refers to a product storage shelf combined with a product delivery mechanism), a confirmation key for sales data, setting data, etc. Own Ui device 1
Data setting keys are provided for. for example,
By pressing the sales data confirmation key, the CPU 15 causes the printer 17 to print data such as the amount of product sales and the number of products sold so far. Furthermore, when the price of a product increases, by operating a setting key in the setting/instruction means 18, new price setting data etc. can be transmitted to the vending machine a1 via the transmission line 2. The types of data stored in the data storage means 16 of the information processing device 3, that is, the data generated with the operation of the vending machine 1 and transmitted from the machine 1 to the information processing device 3 each time it occurs, are as follows: It will look like this: ■Money deposit and withdrawal data (input amount and refund amount including change), ■Sales data (unit price of sold products 9 types 1
(number of items sold, time of sale, etc.), ■ out-of-change data (data showing out-of-change by type of change), ■ out-of-product data, ■ malfunction data. In addition, in the above embodiment, an example was explained in which no means for data setting or means for inputting commands is provided in the vending machine 1; It may be provided with a limited function, and this is also included in the present invention.

【Effect of the invention】

As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, all types of data regarding vending machines outside the store can be checked using the information processing device inside the store, which improves the operating rate of the vending machine and eliminates troubles with customers. This makes it possible to create a vending machine system with extremely high serviceability for vending machine owners. In addition, the means inside the vending machine for storing data other than data directly required for vending operations was removed and placed on the information processing device side, so the configuration of the control device inside the vending machine became cylindrical, and the control device became smaller. This also solves the problem of installation space.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration as an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an external view of the same system. 1: Own Ui machine, 2: Transmission line, 3: Information processing device, 4: Control device 1.5: Selection button section, 6: Money mechanism, 7: Product delivery mechanism, 8: CPU, 8A: Setting data storage means , 9
: Currency control means, lO: Driving means, 11° 14: Transmitting means, 12, 13 7 Receiving means, 15: CPU, 16: Data storage means, 17: Printer, 18: Setting/instruction means, 19: Display driving means , 20: buzzer, 21; display means. , f-4: Control device Fig. 1

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1) A system comprising one or more vending machines and a common information processing device that communicates data with the vending machines via a transmission line, wherein the vending machine is configured to perform information processing. a first storage means for storing data (hereinafter referred to as first data) preset for the operation of the vending machine received from the device; and a first storage means based on the first command also received. means for transmitting first data corresponding to the command to the information processing device; and means for transmitting various data generated in conjunction with the operation of the vending machine (hereinafter referred to as second data) each time the data is generated. The information processing apparatus includes: means for transmitting the first data input by the operation to the vending machine; means for also transmitting the first command input by the operation; a means for outputting the first data received from the vending machine to the outside; a second storage means for storing the second data received from the vending machine or the second data processed as necessary; A means for outputting predetermined data out of the received second data to the outside, and a second memory corresponding to the command in the second storage means based on the second command inputted by operation.
An information processing system for a vending machine, comprising: a means for outputting data to the outside.