JPS62206696A - Vending equipment - 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 (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a vending machine, which can print, magnetically record, etc. the departure station, S station, transit route, etc. based on the information recorded on the old commuter pass. The present invention relates to a commuter pass issuing machine that issues a new commuter pass and pays for it using securities such as a credit card.

[Prior Art] Various devices have been devised as automatic vending devices.For example, in ticket vending machines, etc.
There is one as shown in Publication No. 30624. In this device, when a commuter pass in use (within its expiration date) is inserted, information on the commuter pass is read, and a continuing commuter pass is issued based on the read information.

Further, since the fee is paid by inserting a credit card, the fee collection process is simplified.

Therefore, commuter passes can be issued at a location other than the counter, and the number of counters can be reduced and the power ratio can be increased.

However, in the above-described device, before setting the conditions of the commuter pass to be issued, it is necessary to confirm the credit card account.

Therefore, the opening operation in which the credit card credit check is performed is interrupted. Furthermore, credit checks are conducted with a host computer connected online, which takes time. This has the disadvantage that it takes a long time to sell.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problem, that is, the time required to release the article becomes long.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In a device for purchasing goods using securities on which monetary value or information related thereto is recorded on a card, a means for performing a credit check on the securities and a means for conducting a credit check on the securities to be sold are provided. It consists of an operating means for setting, and a means for discharging the article based on information from the operating means and the credit checking means, and the operating means and the credit checking means are operated simultaneously.

(Operation) In the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, the credit check of securities and the setting of goods to be sold are carried out in parallel.

In other words, while conducting a credit check on valid securities, in parallel with this, operational guidance for setting up the goods to be sold is provided and the setting of the goods based on the operation is performed. Therefore, the time required for sales can be shortened.

(Example of the invention) Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the external appearance of a commuter pass vending machine 1120 to which the present invention is applied, and the front of this commuter pass vending machine 20 is a customer service section operated by customers.

That is, on the front of the commuter pass vending machine 1120, there is a credit card insertion slot 21 for inserting a credit card.
．． Old ticket insertion slot 22 for inserting the old commuter pass (hereinafter referred to as "old ticket"). Commuter pass exit 23 for taking out a new commuter pass
is provided. Note that a credit card processing unit 34 (described later) is provided inside the IO card insertion slot 21, and a commuter pass processing unit 3 (described later) is provided inside the old ticket insertion slot 22.
9 is provided.

Below the commuter pass exit 23 is a CRT display ff24.
．． Function key 25. Numeric keypad 26. An operation section 28 consisting of a Japanese key 27 is provided. That is, the CR7 display device 24 is for displaying operating procedures and input information, and around the CR7 display device 24 are provided function keys 25 for inputting information such as correction items.

Another CRT display! A numeric keypad 26 is provided on the lower side of the numeral 24 for inputting the start date of the expiry date of the fr regular pass. Further, on the right side of the CRT display W124, a Japanese key 27 for inputting correction information is provided, and constitutes an operation section 28.

The above function keys include a ticket type key for correcting the ticket type such as Commuter 9 Commuting, a start date key for correcting the start date of the validity period of a commuter pass, and a period key for correcting the validity period of a commuter pass. It has various keys.

In addition, the credit card processing section 22, the old ticket insertion slot 2
3, a cancel button 29 and a voice notification section 30 are provided, respectively. The cancel button 29 is used to notify the staff when an inconvenience occurs during the customer's purchase operation, and the audio notification section 30 provides audio guidance.

Next, the third part about the main part configuration of commuter pass automatic vending l112o.
To explain based on the figure, 31 is a CPLI that controls the device, and a main memory 32 is connected to the CPU 31. The main memory 32 stores control programs and the like.

Further, 24a is a C which controls the display of the CR7 display device 24.
It is an RT controller and is connected to the CPU 31.

Also, the credit card processing unit 34° operation unit 28. The attendant operation section 35 is connected to the CPLJ 31 via a credit card processing section controller 34a and an operation section 35a, respectively. Further, the commuter pass processing section 36 is connected to the CPU 31 via a commuter pass processing section controller 36a.゛The receipt printing section 37 is a receipt printing section controller 37.
It is connected to the CPU 31 via a. Matazarani C
A communication interface 38 is connected to the PU 31 and transmits data read from the credit card to the host computer 94. That is, the communication interface 38 allows the local host computer 95 to exchange data with the host computer 94 via a communication line or the like. The local host computer 39 is installed at each station, for example, and performs customer management at each station, and the host computer 94 is a memory bag f194a (for example, a magnetic disk device, an optical disk device) that stores transaction data of credit card users. It is connected to and performs customer management of credit card users.

Next, the credit card processing section 34 will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 4, a card insertion detector 44 is provided inside the credit card insertion slot 21 and includes an issuing element and a light receiving element and detects insertion of a credit card. Further, a conveyance path 47 is formed by the conveyance rollers 45 . . . and conveyance belts 46, 46. A reading head 48 is placed on this conveyance path 47. A platen roller 50a faces the writing head 49 and the head.
, 50b are provided. Further, a conveying path 51 that branches off from the conveying path 47 is a conveying belt 52. It is formed by a conveyance roller 53. The end of this conveyance path 51 is the commuter pass outlet 2
3, and a flapper 54 is provided at any branch point between this conveyance path 51 and the above-mentioned conveyance path 47. The flapper 54 distributes the credit cards conveyed in the ejection direction to the credit card insertion slot 21 or the commuter pass exit 23. Furthermore, a card tip detector A35a is provided near the flapper 54 to detect the tip of the credit card being conveyed, and a card tip detector B55b is provided near the flapper 54.

The control block of this credit card processing section 34 will be explained using FIG. 5. The above-mentioned card insertion detector 44
and a card tip detector 55a.

The output of 55b is 111 of the credit card processing device 34.
The motor 57 that drives the conveyance roller 45 is controlled by the control section A56 via a driver 57a.

Also, the write head 49 is connected to the control section A via a driver 498.
The output of the read head 48 is amplified by an amplifier 48a and input to a control section A56.

The control unit A56 controls the credit card processing unit 34 from above from the CPLI 31, and when the card insertion detector 44 detects the insertion of the card, it drives the motor 57 via the driver 57a, and the credit card is transferred to the conveyance path. 47 in the direction a. Transaction data such as the clerk number and the name with no expiration date recorded on the magnetic stripe of the credit card are read by the reading head 48 and supplied to the control section A56 via the multiplier 48a. When the leading edge of the credit card that has passed through the reading head 48 reaches the card leading edge detector 55b, the transport path 4
7 is reversed and the credit card is transferred to transport path 4.
7 in direction b.

If the conveyed credit card is correctly read at the time of reading described above, it is stopped when the leading edge is detected by the card leading edge detector 55a, and is released at the same time as the new commuter pass is released. If the card is not read correctly, it is immediately returned to the credit card slot 21.

Next, the commuter pass processing section 36 will be explained using FIGS. 6 and 7. That is, 61 is a storage section in which commuter passes to be issued are stored. The commuter passes in this storage section are taken out one by one by the take-out mechanism 62, and
After being conveyed upward in the direction of arrow C, it is branched into a conveyance path 64 and discharged (issued) to the commuter pass outlet 23. The commuter pass on the conveyance path 63 is conveyed by conveyance belts 65, conveyance rollers 66, and the like. Further, on the conveyance path 63, in order from the storage section 61 side, a print head 67, a fixing section 68,
Card tip detector A69a that detects the tip of the card,
II included head 70. TA removal head 71, card tip detector 869b, card insertion detector 72 that detects the insertion of a commuter pass into the old ticket insertion slot 22, and card release detector 73 that detects the release of the commuter pass into the commuter pass extraction slot 23. is provided.

The print head 66 is composed of, for example, a thermal head, and prints the departure station, destination station, and transit station as well as image data of the name. The writing head 70 writes the departure station, arrival station, transit station, fare data, issuing station data, date of issue, etc. on the magnetic recording section on the back of the supplied commuter pass.
It records period data, etc. The above reading head 7
Reference numeral 1 reads data recorded on the magnetic recording section on the back of the commuter pass and outputs it to the IIJm section, which will be described later.

Note that a recovery conveyance path 74 branches off from the middle of the conveyance path 63.
is provided, and the old tickets are conveyed on this recovery and recovery conveyance path 74 and accumulated in an old note collection section 75. Note that the conveyance path 63
A flapper A76a is provided at the branch point between the discharge conveyance path 64 and the discharge conveyance path 64, and at the branch point between the discharge conveyance path 64 and the recovery conveyance path 74.
, a flapper B76b is provided. Furthermore, a flapper 75c is provided at the end of the discharge conveyance path 64, and a new ticket collection section 77 is provided, and new tickets with writing defects and new tickets whose issuance has been discontinued are sorted and collected by a flapper 750. be done. Further, although not shown, a shutter is provided inside the commuter pass outlet 23 to open and close the commuter pass outlet 23.

Next, the electric circuit of the commuter pass processing section 36 will be explained using FIG. That is, 79 is a control section B that controls the entire commuter pass processing section 36. driver 80
, 81, 82, 83, 84 are the extraction mechanism 6, respectively.
2. It drives the print head 67, fixing section 68, writing head 70, and shutter 78. In addition, the driver 85
The commuter pass is moved on the conveyance path 63 by driving the motor 86 and the conveyance belts 65, . . . and conveyance rollers 66, etc. Further, the read data read from the read radar 71 is supplied to the control section 79 via an amplifier 87. Further, detection signals from the card tip detector 69 and card insertion detector 72 are also supplied to the 11160 section B79.

The control section B79 drives each section in accordance with ticket issuing data supplied from the CPU 31 to issue a commuter pass. The control section 79 also controls the reading head 7.
By determining whether the read data read from the magnetic recording section on the TJ1 side of the commuter pass supplied from 1 is the same as the data recorded by the write head 70, it is determined whether the ticket can be used in the automatic ticket gate. This is to determine whether Further, the control section [379 is configured to output transaction data supplied from the reading head 71 to the CPU 31.

The acceptance of old tickets and the issuance of new commuter passes in such a configuration will be explained.

When an already issued old ticket is inserted into the old ticket insertion slot 22, the card insertion detector 72 detects the insertion, drives the motor 77, and the old ticket is conveyed on the conveyance path 63. Then, data recorded on the magnetic recording layer of the old ticket, such as departure station, destination station, expiration date, fare data, name, etc., is read by the reading head 71 and supplied to the control section B79 via the amplifier 67. When the leading edge of the old bill that has passed through the reading head 71 passes the card leading edge detector 69A, the transport in the transport path 63 is stopped. After predetermined processing is performed based on the read information, the conveyance of the conveyance path 63 is reversed, and the old tickets are sorted by a flapper 76a, and guided to the old ticket collection section 75 via the collection conveyance path 74, where they are accumulated.

At the time of ticket issuance, the issuance command is sent from the CPU 31 to the control unit 8.
79, the take-out mechanism 62 is driven and the storage section 6 is
When the commuter pass in 1 is taken out, the motor 86 is driven, and the commuter pass is conveyed on the conveyance path 63. Then, visual information is printed by the print head 67, and the fixing unit 68
This fixes the visual information. Then write head 70
Almost the same information as the above-mentioned visual information is magnetically recorded. Furthermore, the magnetic information is read by the read head 71 and it is checked whether the read information and the information recorded on the write head 70 are the same. If the result of the check is that the commuter pass is under pressure, the commuter pass is further conveyed and discharged to the commuter pass outlet 23 via the discharge conveyance path 64. At this time, the commuter pass is detected by the card release detector 73, and the motor 86 is stopped after a predetermined time from the detection output of the card release detector 73. If the check results indicate that the ticket is not correct, the flapper 76c guides the ticket to a new ticket collecting section 77 where it is accumulated.

Next, the attendant operation section 35 will be explained.

Inside the rear door (not shown) of the commuter pass issuing v120, there is an attendant operating section 35 that is operated by an attendant, as shown in FIG.
is provided. That is, a power inlet 88 and a power off button 89 are provided to turn the power on and off. Further, a mode selection button 89 for selecting a commuter pass issuing mode is provided on the lower side of each of these ships. In other words, the continuation issue button 89a is a button for selecting a mode in which a new commuter pass is issued only when a commuter pass within its validity period is inserted, and the new/continue issue button 89b is a button for selecting a mode in which a new commuter pass is issued only when a commuter pass that has been inserted is within its validity period. This button is used to select a mode for issuing a new commuter pass even if it is available or outside the period. Furthermore, operation display lamps 90a and 90b are provided to display the operating status of the commuter pass vending machine 20.

90c and 90d are set, and a counter display section 91a displays the number of newly issued commuter passes, and a counter display section 91b9 displays the number of consecutively issued commuter passes.9 displays the total number of issued commuter passes. A counter display section 91c is provided.

Further, 92 is a numeric keypad, and 93 is a counter display section that displays information input using the numeric keypad 92.

Next, the operation in such a configuration will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, the continuation issue button 89a of the staff operation section 35 is selected by the staff member. First, the CRT display device 24 displays an old ticket insertion guide that says, "Please insert your old commuter pass." (S
T1) (Figure 9a). When an old ticket is inserted from the old ticket insertion slot 22 (ST2> based on the detection signal from the card insertion detector 72, the motor 86 is driven. 9 departure stations and destination stations recorded on the magnetic recording layer of old tickets.

Data such as route, fare data, issuing station data, issue date, one period (validity period), adult, child, one commute, one school, etc. are read (ST3).

Incidentally, when the press conference is inserted in step 2 (ST2), a credit card insertion guide is displayed on the CRT display r124, and credit card processing is performed in parallel, but the details will be described later.

The data read by the reader 71 in step 3 (ST3) is supplied to the CPU 31, and the CPU 31 determines whether or not the old note data has been correctly read based on the supplied data (ST4). If the old ticket data cannot be read correctly, a message will be displayed stating that the old commuter pass cannot be used (ST5), and the old commuter pass cannot be used. It is returned to the insertion slot 22 (ST6) and returns to the initial state.

If it is determined in step 4 (ST4) that the old ticket data has been correctly read, it is determined whether the old ticket is within its validity period (ST7). If the old ticket is within its validity period, the start date of the new commuter pass's validity period is set to the day after the expiration of the old ticket's validity period. Furthermore, the same period as the valid 11 period of the old ticket is set as the validity period. Further, if the old ticket is out of validity period, a notice indicating that the old ticket cannot be used is displayed in the same manner as described above, and the old ticket is returned.

The information set in this way is then displayed on the CRT display device 24.
``Are there any items to be corrected?'' is displayed, and the user is prompted to confirm whether or not there are any items to be corrected (ST8). If there are no correction items, the CPU 31 calculates the fare (ST9). And the fare and other information is displayed on the CRT display W! 24 (ST10).

Thereafter, the CPU 31 outputs a print command and print data to the commuter pass processing section 39. Then, the commuter pass processing section 39
Printing is performed on paper in a predetermined format using the display pattern of the RT controller 33 (ST11). The printed commuter pass is conveyed on the conveyance path 63, and when detected by the card tip detector 69b, it is stopped and held on the conveyance path.

Here, credit card processing is also being performed in parallel with the above-mentioned old ticket reading and new ticket setting being performed. That is, when the old ticket is inserted in step 2 (ST2) above, a credit card insertion guide will be displayed saying "Please insert your credit card" (
ST12). The customer then inserts the credit card into the insertion slot 21 (ST13). Then, the control unit A52 controls the motor 53 in response to the detection signal from the card insertion detector 44.
to drive. The credit card is then conveyed on a conveyance path 47, and is first led to a reading head 48, where transaction data (settled) such as the clerk number, expiration date, and name recorded on the magnetic stripe of the credit card is read. (
ST14), the signal is supplied to the control unit A52. Control unit A52 outputs the read transaction data to CPU31. CPU
It is determined whether the transaction data supplied in step 31 has been correctly read (ST15).

When the leading edge of the credit card is detected by the card leading edge detector B55b, the motor 53 is driven in reverse and conveyed in the ejection direction, and when the card is detected by the card leading edge detector 55a, the motor 53 is stopped. It is held on the conveyance path.

If the credit card transaction data is read correctly, the transaction data is transmitted via the communication interface. The transaction data is then transmitted to the host computer 94 via the sub-host computer and communication line. The host computer 94 then compares the transmitted data with the stored data and performs a credit check on the credit card. That is, the presence or absence of an account and the balance are inquired (ST16), and the balance and step 9 (
The charges calculated in ST9) are compared (ST17).
). If the transaction is possible (if the balance is greater than the transaction fee), data indicating that the transaction is possible is returned.

If the transaction is possible, the CPU 31 outputs a command to release a new commuter pass, and the new commuter pass held on the conveyance path 63 and the credit card held on the conveyance path 47 are transferred to the commuter pass collector. It is discharged to the exit 23 (ST18). At this time, a sheet is issued and released at the same time. Also, if the credit card data cannot be read correctly in step 13 (ST15), or if the credit card data cannot be read correctly in step 13 (ST15),
If the balance does not satisfy the transaction amount in step 7), a message indicating that credit cards cannot be used is displayed on the CR7 display device 24 (1 ST). Then, the credit card held on the conveyance path 47 is conveyed in the ejection direction. Also,
The credit card is returned to the credit card insertion slot 21 (ST20). Further, the printed commuter pass is collected by the new ticket collection unit 77 (ST21).

Also, if it is input that there is a correction item in step 8 (ST8) above, the CRT display! ! 24 is displayed as T (ST23>).

Then, the correction item is selected using the function key 25, and the numeric key 26. Correction information is input using the Kana key 27 (S
T24). Furthermore, a guidance display is performed to determine whether there are any other items to be corrected (ST25).

If it is input that there are correction items, the correction is made, and if it is input that there are no correction items, the fare is calculated (ST15) and a new commuter pass is issued in the same way as described above.

Furthermore, in the staff operation section 35, press the new/continue issue button 8.
If 9b is selected If it is determined in step 7 (ST7) above that the old ticket is outside the expiry date, a YrM will be issued with the message "Please enter the start date of use of the commuter pass." A display is displayed on the CRT display @24 to input the start date of the validity period of the commuter pass (ST27). Then, when the start date of the expiration date is entered as, for example, December 25th using the numeric keypad 26 (ST28), the entered start date of the expiration date and the validity period of the same period as the validity period of the old ticket (for example, 3 months) are input. ) is set, and the information of the newly issued commuter pass is CR7.
It is displayed on the display device 24 (ST29). Then, in the same way as above, the presence or absence of correction items and fee calculation are performed.
An rWA commuter pass will be issued.

In the above embodiment, the old ticket is inserted first, but if there are many correction items when setting a new ticket, it will take time to process the old ticket, so the old ticket may be inserted first.

Also, you can insert either one first, for example, as shown in Figure 9 (C).
To explain based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 9, first, a message is displayed asking you to insert either an old ticket or a credit card (<5T30) (FIG. 9C). If a credit card is inserted (ST31), the credit card is read (ST32) and an old ticket insertion guide is displayed (ST33). Also, if an old ticket is inserted (
ST34), At the same time as reading the old ticket information (ST35), a credit card insertion guide is displayed (ST36).
. If you do this, you can insert either one first.

According to the above embodiment, new valid bills can be issued using valid valid notes whose expiration date has passed. Additionally, since the issue mode can be selected, the time required for purchase can be shortened by switching between continuous issue and new/continuous issue as needed. In other words, when the counter is busy, new commuter passes can be purchased in either new or continuing issuance mode, and when there are many customers at the commuter pass issuing machine, new commuter passes can be purchased at the counter in continuous issuance mode. good.

In the above embodiments, the credit card was used, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to use a cash card used at a bank or the like. In this case, a PIN verification function is added to execute the transaction.

Furthermore, the products to be sold are not limited to train tickets such as commuter passes, but may also be other transport tickets or admission tickets to various m facilities.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained above, according to the present invention, the credit check of securities and the setting of goods to be sold are carried out in parallel. That is, while conducting a credit check on valid securities, in parallel with this, operational guidance for setting the goods to be sold is provided and the setting of the goods based on the operation is performed. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the time required for sales, thereby achieving the effect that the product sales time is shortened and sales can be carried out smoothly.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figure 1 is a block diagram of the present invention, Figure 2 is a perspective view of a commuter pass issuing machine to which the present invention is applied, Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the commuter pass issuing machine shown in Figure 2, and Figure 4. is a sectional view of the credit card processing section, FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of the credit card processing section shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the commuter pass processing section, and FIG. 7 is the same as shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the commuter pass processing section, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the staff operation section, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart diagram for explaining the issuing operation of the commuter pass. 28... Operating unit (operating means), 31... CPU (
control unit), 34... credit card processing unit (means for conducting a credit check), 36... commuter pass processing unit (means for discharging goods)

Claims (1)

[Claims] In an automatic vending machine that purchases goods using securities on which monetary value or information related thereto is recorded on a card, a means for conducting a credit check of the securities, and an operation means for setting the goods to be sold; The operation means is provided with a means for discharging the goods based on information from the means for conducting a credit check, and the operation means is controlled so that the setting operation of the goods for sale and the credit check of securities are performed simultaneously. A vending machine with special features.