KR200260173Y1 - Remont management system for a vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a remote management system of a vending machine. A plurality of vending machines distributed in various places are managed comprehensively in a simple and efficient way at a remote control station by using a controller, a modem (CM) and a public telephone network. It is designed to increase the operating rate of the vending machine, the merchandise sales, and to avoid high wages.

In addition, various drive unit (motor) signals, sensor signals, and switches signals of the vending machine controller are inputted to the CPU through the I / O driver, thereby simplifying installation and maintenance without putting a load on the vending machine controller. It is intended to be installed universally on all vending machines.

In addition, when the set time is reached, the controller transmits the acquired data to the remote control station (or monitoring system) through the public telephone network, and consumes and sells various materials and products in the set time, and the number of operations of the drive unit, sensor unit, and switch unit. It is to be able to grasp.

In addition, when an abnormality such as a lack of stock of materials or goods, an impact of a vending machine, or a shake or door opening of a vending machine is detected, an automatic dial function is used to send an abnormal signal directly to the station so that quick response can be taken. will be.

In addition, the computer of the station collects and analyzes data transmitted from each vending machine so that the manager can perform stable and efficient management.

Description

Remote management system for vending machines. {Remont management system for a vending machine}

The present invention relates to a remote management system of a vending machine that can remotely control and manage the vending machine. Specifically, a plurality of distributed vending machines can be easily and efficiently managed from a remote location using a public telephone network. In addition, the operation rate of the vending machine and the merchandise of the merchandise can be improved, high wages can be avoided, and all the vending machines can be installed universally.

In general, the vending machine is automatically distributed in various places where there is a demand for sale, and automatically sells the various products accommodated, and the demand is increasing due to the convenience of selling and purchasing various items without restriction of place and time.

On the other hand, if the stock of goods or materials of the vending machine falls, some or all of the goods cannot be sold, so the management engineer visits the place where the vending machine is installed periodically or from time to time, and whether the vending machine is in normal operation, the stock or abnormality of the goods and materials. After checking the presence or absence, if necessary, repair the defective parts or replenish the goods and materials, and collect the sales amount.

In the early days when vending machines were introduced, a single traffic engineer could manage up to 70 vending machines thanks to smooth traffic, but in modern traffic congested due to the proliferation of automobiles, even vending machines distributed in multiple locations are distributed. It is difficult to manage more than 30 management technicians because it takes too much time, so the quality of service is greatly reduced due to difficult and efficient management of vending machines, and management technicians tend to intercept part of the sales amount. As a result, not only the profitability of the vending machine manager is much lowered, but there is a problem of distrust between the manager and the vending machine manager.

In addition, since there is no separate unmanned or remote management system that can manage the vending machine in a comprehensive way, the management engineer takes a tour of the vending machines installed in multiple places and directly manages them. It is impossible.

Therefore, the present invention uses a controller, modem (CM) and a public telephone network to comprehensively manage a plurality of vending machines distributed in various places in a simple and efficient way to operate the vending machine and sell merchandise. Aim to increase wages and avoid high wages.

In addition, various drive unit (motor) signals, sensor signals, and switches signals of the vending machine controller are inputted to the CPU through the I / O driver, thereby simplifying installation and maintenance without putting a load on the vending machine controller. The aim is to provide a remote management system that can be installed universally on all vending machines.

In addition, when the set time is reached, the controller transmits the acquired data to the remote control station (or monitoring system) through the public telephone network, and consumes and sells various materials and products in the set time, and the number of operations of the drive unit, sensor unit, and switch unit. It aims to be able to grasp the back.

In addition, if an abnormality such as lack of stock of material or goods, impact of vending machine, shaking or door opening of the vending machine is detected, the automatic dial function can be used to send an abnormal signal directly to the station so that quick response can be taken. For the purpose.

In addition, the computer of the management station collects and analyzes the data inputted from each vending machine for the purpose of enabling the administrator to perform stable and efficient management.

In order to achieve the above object, a controller and a modem are installed in a vending machine distributed in various places, and then electrically connected to the controller of the vending machine. The controller and the modem are connected to a public telephone line (or a general telephone line) connected to a telephone station. Connect the controller and modem of the station and the computer with the output device (monitor, print) to another telephone line in order to obtain various information about the vending machine obtained by the controller and modem through the public telephone line and the telephone station. QC, the sales office of each vending machine, daily and monthly accurate sales data, cumulative data, sales aggregate, sales analyzer, sales amount, sales of materials or goods, inventory of materials or goods, demand Forecasting, establishing proper inventory maintenance and management schedules, failure areas of vending machines, The door opening, the impact of the vending machine, excessive shaking conditions, etc. are configured to notify the member companies by phone (T), fax (FAX) or mail.

In addition, the controller and modem connect an input / output driver and a CPU to which a plurality of signals are input, respectively, and automatically dial the input / output unit of the CPU at a scheduled time and transmit various data obtained from the vending machine to the modem. Reserved dial unit for transmitting to the station through telephone line, ROM which stores controller and modem, and stores control program such as getting information of vending machine and storing it in RAM and responding to the interrupt signal from the station. It stores the phone number and various information acquired from the vending machine, and when there is a data transmission request signal from the station, it connects a RAM that transfers the stored data directly through the modem and the telephone line to the station computer. Connect the interface and modem for communication with the station.

In addition, motor signal, valve signal, relay signal, switch signal, and sensor signal are insulated by photocoupler of input / output driver, and then input to CPU through backflow prevention diode for signal processing. In front, push switch is connected in parallel so that controller and modem can be operated normally.

In addition, 24 ports can be expanded to 48 ports or more to allow for flexible system expansion when adding manageable vending machines or monitoring signal sources. Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, preferred embodiments of the present invention in detail as follows.

1 is a block diagram of the present invention.

2 is a circuit block diagram of the present invention.

3 is a flowchart of the present invention.

4 is a circuit diagram of a power supply unit of the present invention.

5 is a circuit diagram of the CPU of the present invention.

6 is a partial circuit diagram of a ROM connected to the CPU of the present invention.

7 is a RAM partial circuit diagram connected to the CPU of the present invention.

8: SRAM partial circuit diagram connected to the CPU of the present invention.

9 is a circuit diagram of an address decoder IC connected to a CPU of the present invention.

10 is a circuit diagram of an address latch IC connected to a CPU of the present invention.

11 is a partial circuit diagram of a serial port (RS232C) to which a modem is connected in the present invention.

12 is a partial circuit diagram of the identification code of the present invention.

13 is a partial circuit diagram of the reset to prevent a malfunction of the present invention circuit.

14: Alarm circuit diagram connected to the buzzer output terminal of the CPU of the present invention

15 is a shock detection circuit diagram connected to the relay output terminal of the CPU of the present invention.

Fig. 16 is a circuit diagram of the input / output driver of the present invention.

17 is a partial circuit diagram of a channel expansion IC of the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings>

(CM1) (CM1) .... (CMn)-Controller and Modem (CM)-Modem

(TW)-Telephone Station (QC)-Station

(RA)-Array Resistance (IC)-Integrated Circuit

(DS)-DIP Switch (T)-Phone

(FAX)-fax (RTC)-reserved dial

(RAM)-RAM (ROM)-ROM

(RS-232C)-Interface (PC)-Photo Coupler

(D) (ZD)-Diode (SW)-Switch

(CON) -Connector (C)-Capacitor

(R)-Resistance (CPU)-Central Processing Unit

(INT1)-Interrupt terminal (G)-Gate

1 is a block diagram of the present invention, the controller and modem (CM1) (CM1) .... (CMn) is installed inside the vending machine distributed in several places, and then electrically connected to the controller of the vending machine, respectively. In addition, the controller and modem (CM1) (CM1) .... (CMn) is connected to the public telephone line (or regular telephone line) connected to the telephone company (TW), and the controller and modem (CM) of the management station (QC) to another telephone line ), And then a computer with an output device (monitor, print) to connect a computer with a controller and a modem (CM1) (CM1) .... (CMn). It is configured to be transmitted to a remote control station (QC) through.

One end of the code IC (IC8) (IC9) to which the pull-up array resistor (RA2) (RA3) is connected to the controller and modem (CM) (CM1) .... (CMn) installed in each vending machine as shown in FIG. 16 bit dip switches DS1 and DS2 are connected to each other so that a unique identification code is assigned to each vending machine so that a plurality of vending machines can be identified at the control station QC.

In addition, the modem of the controller and modem (CM1) (CM1) .... (CMn) is connected to the modem and management computer of the QC by using a public telephone network connected to the telephone station (TW), and the management program is installed. The computer is connected to a monitor, a printer, and an input device such as a mouse and a keyboard to form a QC.

In addition, the QC provides accurate hourly, daily, and monthly sales data for each vending machine, cumulative data, sales aggregate, sales analyzer, sales amount, sales volume of materials or products, stocks of materials or products, demand forecasting, and adequate inventory. It is designed to notify the member companies by telephone, fax, or mail about the maintenance and management schedule, the location of the vending machine, the door opening to the vending machine, the impact of the vending machine, and excessive shaking conditions. will be,

2 is a circuit block diagram of a controller and modem of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the present invention, in which an input / output driver having a plurality of channels and a CPU are connected to each other so that a plurality of signals can be input, and the CPU The I / O section of the system has a reserved dial unit (RTC), a controller and a modem (CM) which automatically dial data at the time of reservation and transmit various data obtained from the corresponding vending machine to the control center (QC) through a modem and a telephone line. ROM, which stores control programs such as operating, acquiring vending machine information, storing it in RAM, and responding to the interrupt signal from the QC. After storing the various information obtained from the vending machine, if there is a data transmission request signal from the control center (QC), the RAM (SRAM) is transmitted to the computer of the control station (QC) through the modem and telephone line. The.

It connects the interface (RS-232C) and modem for communication with the control station (QC) to the input / output of another CPU, and controls the motor or solenoid, solenoid valves, sensors, switches, relays, etc. An input / output driver is connected to an input / output unit of a vending controller so that these operation signals or detection signals are input to the CPU through multiple channels of the input / output driver.

In the above, in the case of a vending machine that sells coffee or domestic cars, the motors connected to the vending machine controller are cold water tank motors, coffee mixing motors, domestic car mixing motors, coffee motors, high-quality coffee motors, sugar motors, prim motors, and domestic cars. Motors, cup dispensing motors, tarret motors, and the like. Valves include water supply valves, domestic car valves, cold water valves, cold beverage valves, coffee water supply valves, and anti-icing valves. , Magnet relays, heater control relays, fluorescent lamp control relays, and the like, and examples of the switches include an upper limit switch, a lower limit switch, a drain switch, a cup detection switch, a cup stop switch, and the like. Examples include a water sensor and a temperature sensor.

16 is a detailed circuit diagram of the input / output driver connected to the CPU, wherein the motor signals, the valve signals, the relay signals, the switches signals, and the sensors signals inputted are photocouplers (PC2) of the input / output driver. Signal insulated by) ~ (PC9) and then input to the CPU through the backflow prevention diodes (D7) ~ (D14) for signal processing, and the push switch (SW5) ~ at the front end of the photocoupler (PC2) ~ (PC9) (SW12) are connected in parallel to each other so that the controller and modem (CM1) (CM1) .... (CMn) can be tested normally.

The motor signal, valve signal, relay signal, switch signal, and sensor signal of the vending machine controller are directly input to the CPU through the I / O driver so that the controller for the vending machine is not loaded and installed. Easy to maintain has the advantage of universal installation on all vending machines.

In addition, 24 ports can be expanded to 48 ports or more to flexibly expand the system as the number of signals to be monitored increases. In other words, in the case of coffee or domestic car vending machines, if the number of input / output drivers is 10 before and after, it is satisfactory, but if the required number of channels is more than 10, such as a can vending machine, the channel needs to be expanded. Expansion of the monitoring target signal source of the vending machine by expanding and connecting the expansion IC IC10 to which the array resistors RA4, RA5, and RA6 are connected, and an input / output driver having the connector CON6 (CON7) as shown in FIG. You can.

4 is a circuit diagram of a power supply unit for supplying operation power to a controller and a modem (CM1) (CM1)... (CMn), the AC power converted to low voltage by a step-down transformer not shown to the connector (CON4) After rectifying with a diode (ZD), the stabilized power supply (VCC) and unstable power supply (VPP) are formed by a constant voltage part and a smoothing part consisting of a capacitor (C1) (C2), a coil (L), and a constant voltage IC (IC1). Supply to each circuit part of controller and modem (CM1) (CM1) .... (CMn).

5 is a detailed circuit diagram of the CPU of the present invention, in which a pull-up array resistor RA1, a light emitting diode D1, a D2, a D3, a D4, and a push switch SW1 are connected to an input of a CPU to which a clock oscillator OSC1 is connected. (SW2) (SW3) (SW4) connects the switch parts connected in series respectively and presses the switch (SW2), the CPU automatically dials and connects with the QC and then the unique code (and installation location) of the vending machine. ) To be sent to the QC so that the current location of the manager can be determined.

In addition, if the switch SW3 is not pressed within the set time, for example, within 10 seconds while the door of the vending machine is opened, the CPU may determine that the door is abnormal and take countermeasures. That is, it is possible to move quickly and take action by having the management station (QC) call a nearby management engineer or manager who is traveling around the vending machine to transmit the door open signal.

On the other hand, when the switch SW3 is pressed within the set time while the door is open, the CPU is used by the technician or the manager to check the vending machine for repair, replenishment of materials and goods, stock status, and recovery of sales value. It is determined that the door is opened and the door open signal transmission is suspended.

In addition, if the switch SW4 is a material filling switch and simultaneously presses a material or a product key to be replenished while the switch SW4 is being pressed, the CPU recognizes that the material or a product is full and supplies the material or product motor. Counter the number of times the power supply is counted so that the total supply of the material or commodity and the current inventory can be determined.

In the above case, the amount of material discharged or the number of products (cup discharge number, can discharge number, etc.) is determined when the material or commodity supply motor is operated once. Or you can see the total supply of goods and the current inventory.

In addition, the switch SW1 is a pre-expansion switch, and the gate G1 connected to the interrupt terminal INT1 of the CPU is an expansion function. When an interrupt signal is input, various keys are scanned and the pressed key is pressed. You will be confirmed.

6 shows a control program and a communication program in a nonvolatile ROM (IC6) connected to the CPU.

7 is a RAM (IC7) connected to the CPU, which stores various types of information of a corresponding vending machine inputted to an input / output driver according to a program stored in a ROM (IC6). When connected to the control station (QC) by using the automatic dial to transmit data in the online state or the data stored in response to the data transfer request of the control station (QC) is transferred to the terminal ((RD) (PSEN) of the CPU The chip selectors G3 and G4 select whether to write (WRITE) or read (READ) data to RAM or ROM.

8 is a SRAM IC2 that stores information such as a sales counter of a vending machine, a failure history of the vending machine, a telephone number of a QC, a door opening time, a reserved dial time, and the like. When the time comes, the automatic dial connects to the control station (QC) and transmits the data online, or transmits the stored data in response to the data transfer request of the control station (QC).

9 is an address decoder IC (IC3) for distinguishing an address bus and a data bus by timing, FIG. 10 is an address latch IC (IC4), and FIG. 11 is a data transmission terminal (TXD: Transmitted Data) and a data transmission output terminal. (TXD_OUT), a data receiving terminal (RXD: Received Data), a data receiving output terminal (RXD_OUT), and a control station (QC) having a sending / receiving terminal and a capacitor (C3) (C4) (C5) (C6). It is a serial port IC (IC5) (RS232C) for connecting an external modem and a telephone line to the serial port (RS232C) to enable communication with the management station (QC).

FIG. 13 is a reset circuit for resetting a circuit upon malfunction or initial power supply of the present invention. The reset switch SW5 and the diode D5 are connected in series, and when the reset switch SW5 is pressed, the resistor R1 is pressed. The reset signal is inverted by the inverter G2 delayed by the time constant value by the capacitor C7 and input to the reset terminal RESET of the CPU, thereby preventing the CPU from malfunctioning.

14 is an alarm circuit connected to the buzzer output terminal P1.6 of the CPU. When an alarm signal is output when the door of the vending machine is opened or an abnormal condition occurs, the alarm R2 and the photo coupler PC1 are connected to each other. The buzzer sounds to be alerted so that the manager or manager can visually recognize the vending machine.

15 is an impact detection circuit connected to the relay output terminal P1.7 of the CPU. An impact detector (not shown) connected to the input terminal 31 of the CPU through the connector CON2 is installed inside the vending machine. If excessive shock or shaking occurs with the vending machine, the CPU determines that the vending machine is damaged or stolen and gives a powerful alarm through the external buzzer.

That is, when the shock detection signal is output from the CPU, since the switching transistor Q is turned on and the external buzzer operates, damage or theft of the vending machine is primarily prevented, and the shock detection signal is controlled by the communication of the CPU (QC). It is delivered to your computer so you can respond quickly.

In this configuration, the present invention is configured as a controller and a modem (CM1) (CM1) .... (CMn), respectively, the signals input through the public telephone network (TW) and the telephone station (TN) of the modem (CM) of the modem (CM) Is entered into the computer. In other words, the information sensed using various sensors is converted into analog signals through the interface unit and modem (modulation and demodulation device), and then accurately transmitted to the remote control station (QC) through the public telephone network. can do.

The CPU of the present invention is in charge of analyzing and processing various addresses and data allocated to the monitoring targets of the vending machine while performing bidirectional communication with the control center (QC), outputting control signals, and determining whether there is a failure, The result data is transmitted to the remote place through the interface, and the reservation dial unit (RTC) enables a reservation service for monitoring activities for a plurality of vending machines.

The present invention can be applied to all vending machines universally, and can be easily installed and maintained because it is composed of a circuit that does not load the controller of the vending machine.

The computer of the management station (QC) is a signal transmitted from the controller and modem of the vending machine (CM1) (CM1) .... (CMn) from time to time or at the time of reservation or at the request of the management station (QC). , The operation signal of the vending machine, the stop signal, the failure signal, the product stock signal, the product sales signal and whether the vending machine is called, the sales volume, the counter value for each channel of the motor of each material and product, etc. By monitoring (checking) and processing data according to a predetermined program stored in a ROM, it is possible to analyze and calculate the sales status and sales rate of each vending machine (hour, day, week, month, year, etc.). Can be.

As described above, the present invention can easily and efficiently manage a plurality of distributed vending machines at a remote location using a public telephone network, increase the operating rate and product sales of the vending machine, and avoid high wages, thus resulting in low cost. High efficiency sales effect.

In addition, the daily settlement of the sales amount or the end of the month settlement is automatically managed by the computer of the station, simplifying the work, minimizing the work load, and accurately accumulating sales by quickly and easily accumulating accurate sales data of hourly, daily, and monthly on a computer. And it is effective to reduce the loss caused by the analysis function and to operate efficiently.

In addition, it is possible to resolve the distrust with the management article about the sales amount, and to understand and supplement the stock of materials or goods in advance, and to predict the demand, so that it is easy to maintain proper inventory and establish the management schedule. .

In addition, when a vending machine breaks down, it is immediately notified to a remote control station, which enables quick after-sales service to improve sales and resolve customer complaints and distrust of the vending machine.

In addition, a door open release device is installed in the vending machine to open the door, and if the release switch is not pressed within a certain time period, the door of the vending machine is forcibly opened and the door open signal is sent directly to the station using the public telephone network. The notification is effective in taking prompt action.

In addition, when an excessive shock is applied to the vending machine, an alarm device installed in the vending machine operates to alert the shock signal to the management office, thereby preventing damage or theft of the vending machine.

In addition, when the door is unintentionally opened or excessive shock is detected, the manager is automatically sent to the mobile phone or the beep beep carrying there is an effect that can move quickly to respond.

In addition, the product sales signal that flows out to check the supply and operation status of the material or goods while the release switch is pressed after the door is opened for supplying materials and goods, or for troubleshooting and inspection, is treated as a sales volume exclusion signal to the station. Since it is transmitted, the cumulative error of sales volume is prevented.

In addition, when excessive shock is transmitted to the vending machine or shakes, image data is compressed and transmitted to the station through a closed camera (CCTV) and a public telephone network installed nearby, thereby preventing the theft of the vending machine.

In addition, the telephone network to send and receive data by using a telephone line located near the vending machine (combined), there is no need for a separate telephone line hypothesis and the resulting cost burden.

In addition, since various drive unit (motor) signals, sensor signals, and switches signals of the vending machine controller are input to the CPU through the input / output driver, they can be installed universally in all vending machines. There is no load on the controller, and the controller and modem (CM) can be easily installed and maintained.

In addition, if you want to determine the amount of sales, using the reservation (schedule) function, the sales amount, inventory amount, failure status data is transmitted directly to the station through the public telephone network, such as effective management is possible.

Claims (3)

(Correction) A remote control system of a vending machine that transmits various data about the vending machine to a center by using information and communication means and a public telephone line, and includes a controller and a modem in a vending machine distributed in various places. (CM2) .... (CMn) is installed and then electrically connected to the controller of the vending machine, and each drive unit (motor) signal, sensor signal, and switch signal of the controller installed in the vending machine are input and received. Through the output driver, the controller and modem (CM1) (CM2) .... (CMn) is input to the CPU, and the controller and modem (CM1) (CM2) .... (CMn) is connected to the telephone company (TW) and Connect the connected public telephone line, the controller and modem (CM) of the management station (QC), and the computer with the output device to the other telephone line connected to the telephone station (TW), and then the controller and modem (CM1) (CM2) ... The information of each vending machine obtained by .CMn Remote management system of a vending machine, characterized in that it is configured to be transmitted to a remote control station (QC) through a line and a telephone station (TW) to comprehensively manage a plurality of vending machines. (Correction) The method according to claim 1, wherein when an abnormality such as an impact of a vending machine, shaking or door opening of the vending machine is detected, an error signal is immediately transmitted to the station (or monitoring system) by using the automatic dialing function, so that a quick response is made. Remote management system of the vending machine, characterized in that to take. (Correction) The method according to claim 1, wherein in the QC, the hourly, daily, monthly sales data, cumulative data, sales aggregate, sales analyzer, sales amount, sales volume of materials and goods, inventory quantity of materials and goods, etc. , At least one of demand forecasting, proper inventory maintenance and management schedule, failure of the vending machine, door opening of the vending machine, impact of the vending machine, and excessive shaking conditions using the phone (T) and the fax (FAX). A remote management system for a vending machine, characterized by informing a vending machine member company.