KR100397305B1 - Management system of auto machine using internet - Google Patents

Abstract

A vending machine management system using the Internet, particularly, a wireless communication module capable of wireless internet is installed, and the vending machines for collecting the state information of the vending machine and transmitting it through the wireless communication module, and each of the vending machines A mobile base station for collecting information transmitted through a wireless communication module of the mobile terminal, a mobile telephone operating center for transmitting the information collected from the mobile base station through an internet network, and receiving and databaseting the information transmitted through the internet network; It is configured to include a management server that provides information on the occurrence of abnormalities to the administrator when maintenance is required, and manages the status of the vending machine and the status of the abnormalities in real time using the wireless network of the Internet and each mobile carrier. By providing the The present invention relates to a vending machine management system using the Internet that can be quickly processed and the effect of increased sales can be achieved by efficient management.

Description

Vending machine management system using the internet {Management system of auto machine using internet}

The present invention relates to a vending machine management system for wirelessly managing a vending machine using the Internet.

In general, a vending machine is a system for selling a number of items such as beverages, coffee, household goods, fast food, newspapers unattended or making reservations and bookings unattended.

These vending machines are rapidly increasing in demand due to the ease of use and the simplicity of the sales method.However, due to traffic jams, distribution of the installation area, out of stock materials, and the confirmation of change, the increase in management costs and shorter operating hours have resulted in profitability. The trend is decreasing.

In other words, the vending machines currently installed in a wide range are maintained and managed by humans, so the cost for maintenance is excessive. In particular, the manager regularly visits the vending machines installed in various places to check the operation status, take action in case of abnormality, replenish the change, and perform the maintenance work such as collecting sales. As such, the management of the vending machine is performed manually by a person, which makes it difficult to manage quickly and effectively.

1 is to perform the inspection and inventory management of all vending machines in the field by using the vehicle and personnel as described above, and the inspection and inventory management in the vending machine 1 according to the location, and then from the vending machine 2 to the next vending machine n It is patrol management to manage.

In this case, the diagnosis and maintenance of the failure is not made quickly, and since there is no online alarm function for the failure, it takes a lot of time and expense to maintain, and there is a problem that various Internet functions cannot be performed.

Therefore, in recent years, a communication terminal provides various services using a dedicated line as shown in FIG. That is, Figure 2 introduces the online to install a dedicated line in each vending machine to check and inventory management. In this operation, various service-related data of each vending machine are stored and updated in its management server through a dedicated carrier.

However, in the case of FIG. 2, there is a problem in that a huge investment cost and a high maintenance cost for a leased line service are required to perform a leased line service in a wide area.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine management system that performs maintenance and inventory management of the vending machine remotely using the Internet and the wireless communication network of each mobile carrier. In providing.

1 is a block diagram showing an example of maintaining a vending machine using a conventional person.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of maintaining a vending machine using a conventional dedicated line.

Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of managing a vending machine using the Internet according to the present invention.

4 is an internal configuration diagram of the vending machine of FIG. 3.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of managing a vending machine using the Internet according to the present invention.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

101 to 10n: vending machine 201 to 20n: base station

301: mobile phone operation center 302: Internet network

303: management server 304,305: PC

In order to achieve the above object, the vending machine management system using the Internet according to the present invention, a wireless communication module capable of wireless Internet is installed, collects the state information of the vending machine and then transmits it through the wireless communication module And a mobile base station for collecting information transmitted through a wireless communication module of each vending machine, a mobile telephone operating center for transmitting information collected from the mobile base station through an internet network, and the internet network. Receives the information transmitted through the database and is characterized in that it comprises a management server that provides information on the occurrence of abnormalities to the administrator when maintenance is required.

The wireless communication module is characterized by transmitting or receiving the state information of the vending machine in a mobile wireless manner.

The management server is characterized in that it also provides the geographic location information for the vending machine when providing information on the occurrence of abnormalities to the administrator.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

3 is an overall configuration diagram of a vending machine management system using a wireless Internet network according to the present invention, in which a plurality of vending machines 101 to 10n include base stations 201 to 20n, a mobile telephone operating center 301, and the Internet. The management server 303 is wirelessly connected through a network. The management server 303 manages the history of the vending machines 101 to 10n, and stores various data such as a list, an installation place, a failure history, and an administrator for the vending machines 101 to 10n. In addition, the management server 303 is connected to a plurality of PC (304,305) for the management of the vending machine.

4 is an internal structure of each vending machine, which includes a microprocessor (MCU) 400, a failure notification lamp 401, a currency discriminator 402, a currency and an error handler 403, which control the overall operation of the device. Button 404, quantity and remaining sensor 405, joystick 406, joystick interface 407, wireless communication module 408 for transmitting and receiving data to connect to wireless communication network, display control unit 409, operation of vending machine The display unit 410 includes a display unit 410 for displaying a state, a driver 411, a power supply unit 412, a ROM 413, and a RAM 414. That is, the wireless communication module 408 is installed in the vending machines 101 to 10n from the vending machine 1 to the v selling machine, respectively.

In FIG. 4, the failure notification lamp 401 is a lamp for notifying a user of a failure. The failure notification lamp 401 collects data of each sensor in the MCU 400 and indicates that the user cannot use the failure notification lamp.

The currency discriminator 402 is a sensor for reading coins and bills, and notifies the coin discrimination and error processor 403 of input of coins and bills. The currency discrimination and error processor 403 processes the value of the sensor input from the currency discriminator 402 and outputs it to the MCU 400. At this time, the currency discrimination and error processor 403 continuously checks the coin and bill sensor of the coin discriminator 402 and transmits it to the MCU 400 when a failure and an error occur. For example, when a coin is jammed, a fake coin is inserted, or when the amount of import is overflowed to collect money, this is determined as an error.

The selection button 404 is a selection button for selecting its service, for example, used to select a desired item. In this case, the selection button 404 transmits a user selection signal to the MCU 400 in the form of a contact, and the MCU 400 performs an operation for providing a corresponding service according to the type of service.

The quantity sensor and the remaining amount sensor 405 are sensors for checking the quantity or the remaining amount of the vending machine. If the can type vending machine checks the quantity of the can, the quantity sensor and the remaining amount sensor 405 are transferred to the MCU 400. In addition, if the vending machine in the form of powder senses the remaining amount of powder and transmits to the MCU (400). The MCU 400 transmits this information through the wireless communication module 408 when there is a request for checking the remaining amount or quantity from the management server 303. In addition, the MCU 400 transmits this to the management server 303 through the wireless communication module 408 even when the stock of the product remains below the reference value.

The joystick 406 is a device for moving the cursor on the screen by transferring the values of the X and Y coordinates to the screen position moving mechanism for selecting the HTML document on the display screen. The joystick interface 407 is an interface device with the joystick 406 that inputs values of the X and Y coordinates of the joystick 406. The joystick interface 407 is connected to the joystick 406 according to the joystick standard and transfers the information to the MCU 400. To process the location information.

The wireless communication module 408 receives the information processed by the MCU 400 through RS232C communication and transfers the information by a mobile wireless method such as IS95C. Then, this base station receives the information from the subscribed base stations 201 to 20n and transmits the information to the mobile telephone operating center 301.

The display controller 409 is a processor for displaying a display and displays information received from the MCU 400 on the display screen 410.

The display screen 410 is a display device for showing information to the user, and there are 7 segment LED type, CRT type, and LCD type. In this embodiment, the CRT method is adopted in consideration of price and size. In this case, the selection of the display device may be changed by the designer.

The display screen 410 displays various kinds of information, helps to display and use advertisements, web browsers, and various kinds of information to the user, and displays information input for performing various reservations and reservations. In this case, the user may input information for using the joystick 406 or using a touch screen function to select a product or to make a reservation and a reservation.

The driving unit 411 is a mechanical driving unit for selling the selected menu, and, for example, a can vending machine may drive a motor linked to the can to automatically withdraw the can. In addition, the powder vending machine rotates a motor connected to the powder so that the appropriate powder is mixed with water in the mixer and put in a cup.

The MCU 400 is a central processing unit and performs processing for all operations of the vending machine. After interpreting the information on the input of the various sensors and converted to the interpreted code form and transmits to the remote management server 303 through the wireless communication module 408, the user operates the driving unit 411 according to the selection button They also sell what they want.

The ROM 413 is a memory device that defines a processing routine for the MCU 400 and stores a command code for causing the MCU 400 to perform an appropriate process. The record is not erased even when power is not applied due to non-volatileness. .

The RAM 414 is a temporary memory for temporarily storing information necessary to perform a processing routine and a process for the MCU 400. The RAM will erase the record if power is not applied.

The power supply unit 412 is a device for supplying the power required for each module, the UPS is an emergency power supply for operating the vending machine for a predetermined time even when commercial power is not supplied.

Here, the wireless communication network can be presented in various ways, and in the present invention, as a mobile communication telephone network in an embodiment, the frequency band used for the mobile communication terminal is used. Therefore, the information collected at each vending machine 101 to 10n is transmitted to the mobile telephone operating center 301 through the subscribed base stations 201 to 20n.

That is, the MCU 400 collects state information (self-diagnosis content and inventory information, etc.) of the vending machine and transmits the same to the wireless communication module 408 capable of wireless internet.

In this case, the status information includes error information. Examples of errors include inventory of goods remaining below a reference value, mechanical errors, inability to operate due to coin jam, and the like. This error is collected by the MCU 400, and the MCU 400 codes the content of the error and transmits the error to the wireless communication module 408. The state information also includes the current inventory amount.

The wireless communication module 408 immediately transmits this information to nearby mobile base stations 201-20n.

That is, the mobile base stations 201 and 20n collect information transmitted from each vending machine and transmit the information to the mobile phone operation center 301 in the form of data.

The mobile phone operation center 301 connects to the Internet 302 via IWF and transmits this data to the designated management server 303.

If the management server 303 requests the data of the vending machine, the data request is made to the vending machine through the data network of the mobile telephone network in the reverse order. In this case, the MCU 400 of the vending machine wirelessly transmits state information (stock quantity, etc.) of the vending machine to the management server 303.

On the other hand, the management server 303 stores the error data in a separate storage device to manage the history of the vending machine, and the corresponding manager (for example, purchasing person, maintenance person) through the PC (304,305) Error information (ie fault location and fault description). In addition, the management server 303 also provides various types of information (sales related information such as inventory quantity, geographic location information of a vending machine to be checked, information on maintenance, etc.) necessary for management.

Then, the vending machine manager maintains the vending machine with reference to the transmitted information, and notifies the management server 303 of the repair result again, thereby completing the maintenance.

The repaired vending machine again exchanges a signal indicating a normal state with the management server 303 through the Internet network 302.

In addition, the management server 303 performs electronic commerce, ticket reservation, or various reservations based on the data acquired through the vending machines. At this time, the vending machine can determine the statistics and inventory of the vending machine and automatically notify PC1 or PC2 of the quantity required and the type of article.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a vending machine managing method using the Internet according to the present invention. In the case of the selling machine n as an example, it is determined whether there is a message request in the selling machine n (step 501). If it is determined that there was a message request, the MCU 400 of the vending machine n transmits the collected information to the base station n through the wireless communication module 408 (step 502). The base station n transmits the received information to the mobile phone operating center 301 (step 503).

The mobile phone operation center 301 transmits the received information to the management server 303 via the IWF (step 504).

The management server 303 determines whether the transmitted information is an error message (step 505). If it is determined that the error message is transmitted to the maintenance person via the PC (step 506). In this case, e-mail may be used.

If the transmitted message is a message indicating a lack of quantity and remaining amount (step 507), the message is transmitted to the purchasing person through the PC (step 508).

On the other hand, if the request message related to the reservation or reservation (step 509), an input request for the reservation request is requested (step 510), and a reservation number is issued (step 511).

At this time, if the vending machine is equipped with a card reader that can read an Internet card such as electronic money, credit card or debit card, etc., the payment for the products handled is linked with the financial institution through the Internet to make the vending machine more convenient. Can be used.

As described above, according to the vending machine management system using the Internet according to the present invention, by using the Internet and the wireless communication network of each mobile communication provider to provide the management server in real time and whether the abnormality occurs to the management server, the abnormality occurs Maintenance of the vending machine can be promptly handled, and the effect of increased sales can be obtained by efficient management.

In addition, it is possible to establish an effective management network for the facility, and to reduce the maintenance cost, to immediately identify inventory, to notify the immediate failure, to freely set up the place, the e-commerce, the reservation of tickets, etc. It can be done more efficiently.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention should not be limited to the contents described in the embodiments, but should be defined by the claims.

Claims (3)

delete delete a) a quantity sensor for detecting the quantity of goods sold, b) a joystick, c) a wireless communication module capable of wireless data communication, and d) an output signal of the quantity sensor and an input of a joystick and transcoded to the wireless communication module. And a plurality of vending machines including an MCU which operates the quantity sensor according to the quantity confirmation request received by the wireless communication module and transmits the result after converting the code back to the wireless communication module. A mobile base station for transmitting and receiving data to and from wireless communication modules of the plurality of vending machines; A mobile telephone operating center configured to receive information received from the mobile base station through an internet network and transmit necessary data to the mobile base station through an internet network; And If necessary, issue a quantity check request to the corresponding vending machine, database a plurality of vending machine status information received through the mobile phone operation center, and error message to the maintenance manager if the received data is an error message of the vending machine. Along with the geographical location information for the vending machine, and if the quantity is low message to the purchase manager, along with the geographic location information for the vending machine together with the quantity shortage message, if the booking request message, Issuing a advance ticket number, and vending machine management system using the Internet, characterized in that automatically calculates the type and quantity of goods purchased based on the statistics of the plurality of vending machines in the database.