JPS63296193A - 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] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a vending machine that accepts money and sells products, and in particular, a vending machine that accepts product gifts e and can exchange them for designated products. It is.

[Conventional technology]

With the rise in product prices and the diversification of products sold, conventional vending machines that only accept coins have become inconvenient as they have to prepare a large number of coins. Many devices are being incorporated into vending machines (for example, Japanese Utility Model Application No. 51-65895).

This banknote validator uses optical or magnetic sensors to detect the dimensions, thickness, material, and optical or magnetic print patterns of circulating banknotes, and distinguish between genuine banknotes and counterfeit banknotes. It is configured so that it does not accept anything other than banknotes.

On the other hand, coin identification machines are used to identify circulating coins, and in rare cases, certain people who are prohibited from holding coins (e.g., bus crew) operate vending machines in specific areas (e.g., crew rest areas). Vending machines configured to accept substitute coins (tokens) and dispense products have also been put into practical use, but vending machines that can be used by the general public and are configured to accept items other than circulating currency are not in practical use. has not been standardized.

(Problem to be solved by the invention) By the way, depending on the product, for example, gift certificates for cigarettes or beer, valuable coupons are issued that cannot be exchanged for cash but can be exchanged for other products. It is well known that these gift certificates are given as gifts.These gift certificates generally guarantee exchange for a fixed or standard price product by indicating the quantity rather than the amount. Therefore, if there were vending machines that could accept these gift certificates and exchange them for the number of products indicated on the face of the certificate, it would be extremely convenient for consumers. By making it impossible to exchange currency with circulating currency, the problem of the circulation of cash vouchers will no longer arise.

In view of the above-mentioned points, the present invention provides a vending machine that accepts money and sells products when it accepts a product gift certificate issued before the price of the product increases, and when the amount of the price increase is inserted in money. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a vending machine that allows proper product exchange by only allowing the removal of products.

[Means for solving problems]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention includes a discrimination unit that discriminates the authenticity of a product gift certificate to be inserted, reads product information and face value information recorded on the product gift certificate, and sends out the same; additional money detection means for detecting additional money that is insufficient for the price of the product that matches the product information based on the face value information; The present invention is characterized by comprising a carry-out permission means for permitting carry-out of the product as a condition.

[Effect]

In the present invention, the additional money detection means detects the additional money that is insufficient compared to the current price, and the export permission means permits the goods to be taken out only when this additional money is inserted in the form of currency. Even if a gift certificate for a product before the price increase is inserted, there is no inconvenience of having to exchange the remaining amount for cash after taking out fewer than the specified number of products, and the product can be exchanged appropriately.

〔Example〕

In the present invention, recording of product information includes not only the characters of the product name but also optically or magnetically encoded or patterned information. In addition, face value information refers to the number information displayed on the face of the ticket or optically or magnetically encoded or patterned, and the so-called purge information that is equivalent to the date of issue of the ticket (product gift certificate). , N (V
A feature of the present invention is to utilize this face value information, including validity information called ``version'', to pay out products under payout conditions commensurate with the face value information.

In other words, for example, the majority of beer gift certificates are currently exchanged for two large bottles, but apart from things like cold storage fees, the only things that make sense are the exchange of one for two bottles.
Limited to the period from the date of issue of the beer ticket (8) until the next price increase. After the next price increase, the above exchange will not work unless an amount corresponding to the price increase is attached. For this reason, in order to enable the vending machine to accept valuable coupons such as beer gift coupons, it is necessary to refer to the above-mentioned validity information.

The idea of setting payout conditions by referring to this validity information is to: b) Return any ticket other than the current purge (tickets issued after the latest price increase).

(b) Retroactive payments will be accepted up to the specified purge, and an additional fee set for each purge will be collected.

(c) For items other than the current purge, pay out the number of bottles corresponding to the equivalent amount (in the case of two, one bottle) and pay out the remaining amount as change.

etc. are possible. Each method has its pros and cons, but
Being kind to customers is a way of doing things.

Method (2) is easy to design, but if the reason for return is not displayed, problems with customers are likely to occur. Method (c) has the problem of partly having the characteristics of a cash voucher and a decrease in the amount of change held. In addition to these methods, there are other methods of dispensing with a cheaper product other than the designated product (such as one large bottle plus one medium bottle), but in any case, effectiveness information must be included. They are common in that products are paid out under payout conditions according to face value information.

Now, as mentioned above, a negotiable note that is inscribed with at least predetermined product information and face value information has the great advantage that, unlike banknotes, the area of interest for identification can be set to match the machine. Therefore, the authenticity and acceptability of this bill can be determined using an existing bill validator. From this point of view, in the present invention, it is preferable that the bills are inserted through the same insertion slot as the bill insertion slot and are discriminated by the same discrimination section as the bill validation machine. Here, the same insertion slots refer to insertion slots that are considered to be substantially the same, and the same discrimination section refers to the parts that are the main body for determining the authenticity of banknotes and securities. In this way, structurally, it is possible to create a conventional vending machine without much modification.
By adding a discrimination algorithm, it becomes possible to pay out products using valuable tickets.

In addition, when using coins, some ingenuity is required to detect the remaining product in a vending machine that requires the vending machine to sell every last item. In other words, if we take a beer ticket in exchange for two large bottles as an example, if there is only one beer left, the ticket must be returned as it cannot be dispensed, but instead of purchasing only one beer by inserting money. We need to be able to do things.

Additionally, since many of these types of vouchers can be exchanged for multiple products, in order to take out multiple products using a single voucher, it is necessary to remove the products each time. It is also necessary to take measures to dispense the next product after detection. This is to prevent multiple products from getting stuck at the outlet,
This is necessary, for example, to prevent breakage and other accidents associated with dropping a beer bottle onto the previous one.

Preferred embodiments that achieve the objects of the present invention and satisfy the various demands described above will be described below with reference to the drawings. Although a beer gift certificate is used as an example, it goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to other products.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a beer vending machine to which the present invention can be applied. 1 is a main body of a vending machine, a display section 2 is provided on the door of the vending machine, and canned beer 21-24. Samples such as large bottle beer 6.26 are displayed, and below each sample there are corresponding product selection buttons 3. ......, 3
is provided. This product selection button 3 has a built-in light indicator lamp that informs the customer that the product can be sold if the input amount matches or exceeds the set price of the product and a predetermined amount of change can be paid out. ing. If the product is out of stock, this indicator lamp will not light up or the
"Urikire" is displayed. 4 is an out-of-change display lamp, 5 is a coin slot, and 6 is a return lever for returning the inserted coins. Reference numeral 7 denotes a display section that displays information such as the amount of money put in and the amount of change paid out. 8 is a banknote insertion slot. When the return lever 6 is operated after inserting coins, the banknotes are returned from the coin +S return slot 9 and the banknote insertion slot. Change is also returned from the return port 9. Reference numerals 10 and 1] are product take-out ports, which are structured so that products can be easily taken out depending on the product storage and delivery format of the vending machine main body 1. In this example, the product outlet lO is dedicated to products corresponding to the product samples 21 to 2 of the display section 2, and the product outlet 11 is the same (product samples δ to Sae).
It is exclusively for products that correspond to the claims.

The coins inserted from the coin input slot 5 are authenticated by a Koyo coin sorting mechanism, and counterfeit coins are guided to the return slot 9, while genuine coins are guided to the change cylinders according to their denominations. The banknotes inserted through the banknote insertion slot 8 are also verified for authenticity by a known banknote validator, counterfeit bills are returned to the slot, and genuine bills are temporarily held in preparation for cancellation or other purposes.

Although there are various types of these coin sorting or bill validating mechanisms in addition to those described above, the type is not particularly limited when implementing the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a beer ticket as an example of a value ticket (commodity gift certificate) in the present invention. Example: 2 tickets) e1 Manufacturer's name (some are common); (e) Date of issue (E3); (e) Issuance tax stamp;

Since the printing position of this information varies depending on the manufacturer, FIG. 2 shows a beer ticket in which a part of the ticket 12 is provided with a magnetic information recording band 12a so that it can be easily accepted by a vending machine. Unlike banknotes, the printing format of beer tickets can be easily changed, so by standardizing only the recording format and position of magnetic information, it is possible to create unique gift card surfaces for each manufacturer.

Therefore, at least product information corresponding to the product name and face value information related to the number of exchanged products and the date of issue are recorded on the magnetic information recording band.

If necessary, add the manufacturer's name or common ticket information, code information for forgery identification, etc.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, and 31 is a banknote/value note discrimination section. This discrimination unit discriminates the authenticity and denomination of ordinary circulating banknotes, and may be a known type equipped with an optical sensor and a magnetic sensor. In this case, a signal corresponding to the denomination (for example, 1,000 yen) is sent to the first calculation control section 32. When the printing unit 31 identifies the inserted piece as a beer ticket, it sends signals related to the product name, the number of exchanged tickets, and the date of issue to the second arithmetic control unit. The proverbs of the first arithmetic and control section are well known (the set price set in the product price setting section, the product remaining amount detection or the product remaining amount signal from the storage section, and the change payment hanging mechanism I). Referring to the change signal, etc. from the product, if the input amount exceeds the set price of any product and change is required, it issues a sales permission signal to the sales control unit 37 after confirming that change can be paid out. .

The sales control unit 37 lights up the product selection button (3 in FIG. 1) corresponding to this sales permission signal and waits for the customer to select the product. When the customer presses the desired product selection button, the sales control unit 37 selects the product selection button (3 in FIG. 1). A signal indicating whether or not has been selected is sent to the arithmetic control unit. The arithmetic control section calculates the necessary amount of change from the input amount and the selected price, and when it is necessary to pay out the change, pays out the change through the change dispensing mechanism, and at the same time controls the sales control section 37. In addition to the above, a coin sorting signal from a coin sorting section Akara is also given to the first arithmetic and control section n, which dispenses articles based on the above, so that it can also purchase articles with coins.

The above is an explanation of the operation mode of a known vending machine using money, focusing mainly on the first arithmetic and control unit.
For ffJ gift certificates), the second arithmetic and control unit primarily functions.

In addition to signals from the banknote/value note discrimination section 31, the second arithmetic control section also includes a product remaining amount detection or storage section, a product removal confirmation switch 39, a product information setting section OFF, and an additional money setting section 4.
Receives input signal from 1.

Detects remaining amount of product or stores quantity.

It operates based on the detection signal of the chip 42.
An example of this and the product removal confirmation switch 39 is vXA
As shown in the figure.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a mechanism for discharging products (bottles) stored in the vending machine. Bottles of products for sale are placed on a plurality of product shelves 52 provided at equal intervals on the outer ring of an endless chain 51. A is a microswitch and corresponds to the quantitative detection switch 42 in FIG. Reference numeral 55 is an actuator that operates the microswivel and tip by coming into contact with the second bin from the bottom. Further, ura is a roller shooter for sliding a dropped bottle to the product takeout port 11, and 57 is a microswitch operated by the roller shooter, which corresponds to the product takeout confirmation switch 39 in FIG. When a sales signal is transmitted to the carrying-out mechanism section configured as described above, a driving section (not shown) of the endless chain 51 is activated, and the product shelves 52 are moved according to the endless chain 51. As the product shelf 52 moves, the bin &' located at the lowest position becomes unlatched, falls onto the roller shooter, is guided to the product outlet 11, and hits the outlet frame 11a. Stand still next to each other. This bottle group is shown by a broken line in the figure. At this time, the roller shooter is lowered by the weight of the bottle 53# and the micro switch 57
make it work. This microswitch 57 is a switch to prevent continuous sales, and as shown in the figure, if the bottle 53N has not yet been taken out from the product outlet 11, the microswitch is activated.

When the switch 57 is operating, no new sales can be made. When the customer takes out the bottle, the roller shooter group returns to its normal position, and when the microswitch 57 returns, the next selling operation becomes possible.

Further, after several sales have been made, when one bottle is left in the bottom group, the microswitch becomes inoperative, thereby making it possible to detect that two bottles are missing.

By the way, if a beer ticket with exchange value for two large bottles is inserted, the microswitch and therefore the third
When the fixed amount detection switch 42 in the figure detects the absence of a bottle, it is impossible to exchange the bottle at face value, so the product is sold out when the remaining amount of the product is detected or the storage unit is connected to the second arithmetic control unit. If the signal is issued, the second arithmetic control section 33 will instruct the discrimination section 31 to return the inserted beer ticket.
will issue a command. However, if a banknote or coin is inserted, even if the microswitch 8, and therefore the quantitative detection switch 42 in FIG. It is desirable to be able to sell it.

For this purpose, a microswitch may be additionally provided for the bottom bottle, but if cost is an issue, a soft counter may be used.

That is, the product remaining amount detection/storage unit shown in FIG. 3 detects that the quantity detection switch 42 is switched from operating to inactive (from bottle present to bottle absent) and stores this, and also erases the signal 35b. When the last beer is sold using the first coin, which prohibits the subsequent delivery of products using new beer tickets, the memory is reset based on the signal from the sales control section 37, and the signal 35a is also extinguished. In this way, the vending machine can sell the product to the last one.

In particular, when it is not desirable to increase the number of quantitative detection switches, as it is desirable to sell every last bottle of beer bottles and other products that are bulky and need to be cooled (3 (Three switches are required when accepting the actual exchange ticket), the above-mentioned soft counter method is preferable.

Now, returning to FIG. 3 again, the contents of the product information setting part and the additional money setting section 41 will be explained. In the product information setting section, if the beer ticket is only a common beer ticket (a ticket that can be exchanged for any of the beers from a number of manufacturers), the product code signal for large beer bottles, medium bottles, etc. If you set this as product information and target common beer coupons and manufacturer-specific beer coupons (tickets that can only be exchanged for beer from a specific manufacturer), you can additionally specify "common" and "maker salt". The code signal corresponding to is set as product information. The additional money setting section sets the additional money for each purge and n in the form of a table, version 1 is (capital) yen, purge, n 2 is ω yen.

Set version 3 to I yen, purge, and n 4 to 0 yen.

As described above, when the banknote/value note discriminating unit 31 detects insertion of a beer ticket, it sends product information and face value information to the second arithmetic and control unit. The second arithmetic and control unit compares the received product information with the product information set in the product information setting component and determines whether the ticket can be handled by the vending machine (i.e., a beer ticket). Determine whether or not it is appropriate to remove the product by inserting the product. If the inserted beer ticket is from another manufacturer that cannot be accepted by the vending machine, the arithmetic and control unit sends a return signal to the discrimination unit 31 to return the inserted ticket to the customer. If the inserted ticket is not common or is for a product from a manufacturer that is handled by the vending machine, then check to see if there are as many tickets as the face value of the product (in this case, large beer bottles). .

This is the above-mentioned product remaining amount detection or storage part okara signal 3.
5b. If there is a required number of products, the table in the additional money setting unit 4 is checked based on the face value information to determine whether additional money is necessary and the amount. When the current version is 4 and a version 2 beer ticket is inserted, in the previous example, the additional money is ω yen, so this is sent to the display control section 42 and displayed on the display section 7 in FIG. "
Please enter an ω circle.'' is displayed. When the customer inserts additional money ω yen from the coin slot, the second calculation control v1533 confirms that the predetermined additional money has been paid based on the signal from the first calculation control branch, and then controls sales. A sales permission signal is sent to section 37. This lights up the product purchase button, and when the customer presses this button, a large beer bottle is delivered to the product outlet. When the customer takes out the beer bottle, the product removal confirmation switch is activated, and the second arithmetic and control unit sends a sales permission signal to the sales control unit 37 again. The customer can then request a second beer.

If the beer ticket allows exchange for three or more bottles of beer, a corresponding counter or counting area is provided in the second arithmetic control section, and the counter or counting area is provided in the second arithmetic control section to prevent sales or transfer from the sales control section r. This may be counted down using the accompanying signal.

The above-described control of the second arithmetic control section can be performed using a microcomputer. FIG. 5 is an example of a general flowchart in that case.

In carrying out the present invention, it is possible to replace the first and second arithmetic control units 37 and 37 with one microcomponent, and the other embodiments of the present invention. We can think of many variations. These are listed below.

b) When using a banknote and securities discrimination section that uses pattern recognition technology for multiple denominations, it is possible to distinguish even securities that do not have a specific recording band as shown in Figure 2. It is.

(b) Since this type of ticket is subject to issuance tax, used tickets are required to be invalidated.

If you want the vending machine itself to do this, you can cut off part of the ticket or punch the recorded part after it has been determined to be a valid ticket and has been temporarily held. In this case, it is necessary to take measures to prevent the banknotes from being invalidated by mistake, such as changing the temporary holding position or creating a separate storage section.

In addition to requesting additional money and showing labor costs, the display section can also display services such as the expiration of a period of time and other reasons for return, and the number of remaining books.

2) If a bill with the current version setting that does not require additional coins is inserted, or if additional coins are inserted, the electromagnet for rejecting coins will be de-energized to prevent extra coins from being inserted. 1tii can be taught.

(g) In the explanation of the example, only the case of price increase was shown, but
In the event of a price reduction, the difference can be refunded in the form of change.

(f) If a ticket with the version setting before the latest price increase is inserted, but the additional money is not inserted within the specified time,
Alternatively, if the predetermined amount is not reached, the ticket and the additional money deposited up to that point can be automatically returned. This is also being put into practical use in current vending and vending machines as an automatic refund mode.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, gift certificates issued before the price increase of the product are deleted, and removal of the product is permitted only when the price increase amount is deposited in currency. Since the vending machine can be used to properly exchange products for gift certificates, the functions of the vending machine can be further expanded to provide convenience to consumers. In particular, gift certificates for beer are often left unused, so the advent of such vending machines will benefit not only consumers but also liquor stores, making a great contribution to the industry.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a front view of an example of a vending machine to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a plan view of a beer ticket as an example of a valuable ticket, and FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. , FIG. 4 is a sketch of a part of a vending machine, and FIG. 5 is an example of a general flowchart when the present invention is implemented using a microcombi machine. 8...Banknote insertion slot, 31...Banknote/value note discrimination section,
32, 33...Arithmetic control unit, A...Product remaining amount detection or storage unit, 40...Product information setting unit, 41...
Additional money setting department. Rain 1 Ward 2 Kuntaku 4 Figure 5 Ward

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1) In a vending machine that accepts money and sells products, a verification unit that distinguishes the authenticity of inserted product gift certificates, reads product information and face value information recorded on the product gift certificates, and sends them out. , additional money detection means for detecting additional money insufficient for the price of the product matching the product information based on the face value information, and detecting that the additional money detected by the means has been inserted in the form of money. A vending machine characterized by comprising: a carry-out permission means for permitting carry-out of the product under conditions.