KR20070074433A - Vending machine integrated management system - Google Patents

Abstract

A system for integrally managing vending machines is provided to efficiently manage the vending machines through the network by monitoring an operation state and calculation details of each vending machine in real-time, and remotely controlling the vending machines. A storing part(114) stores a vending machine ID and setting information. A note receiver(117) receives and recognizes an inputted note. A goods pocket part(113) comprises pockets receiving/displaying goods, a pocket door, and a button for selecting the goods. A calculator(118) calculates goods sales of each pocket based on a recognized amount when the pocket door is opened. An amount display(105) displays the recognized amount and calculated change. A TCP/IP(Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) communicator(121) transmits the vending machine ID code, operation state information, pocket door opening information, and calculation information to a vending machine manager server, and receives/transfers a control signal of a manager server to a controller(120) of each vending machine.

Description

Vending machine integrated management system {VENDING MACHINE INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT SYSTEM}

1 is a network conceptual diagram of a vending machine integrated management system according to the present invention.

2 is an external view of a vending machine according to the present invention.

3 is a block diagram of a vending machine according to the present invention.

4 is a monitoring screen example of an individual vending machine according to the present invention.

5 is a monitoring screen example of the entire vending machine according to the present invention.

6 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the vending machine integrated management system according to the present invention.

* Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings

100: vending machine 101: wireless communication unit

102: illuminance sensor unit 103: alarm generating unit

104: time display portion 105: amount display portion

106: anion button 107: lighting button

108: sleep button 109: cancel button

110: negative ion generating unit 111: negative ion outlet

112: banknote opening 113: article pocket portion

114: storage unit 115: temperature sensor unit

116: cold air generating unit 117: bill storage unit

118: settlement processing unit 119: lighting lamp

120: control unit 121: TCP / IP communication unit

122: RS-232 communication unit 123: Internet terminal unit

130: communication line 140: vending machine manager server

150: Internet network 160: vending machine operator server

The present invention relates to a vending machine integrated management system, and more particularly, to a vending machine integrated management system that can remotely control the vending machine while monitoring in real time the operating status of the one or more vending machines, the sales status of goods, the settlement history according to the goods sales, and the like. .

Mini bar-type vending machines are installed in rooms such as hotels and inns to sell alcoholic drinks, snacks, drinks, snacks, adult items and disposables, and the number of installations is increasing due to their convenience.

However, in the case of small vending machines installed in each guest room, a large number of vending machines are installed per one property, so it is possible to check the operation status of individual vending machines or to replenish goods by checking the sales status of goods or to settle according to the sale of goods. There was a problem that a lot of manpower and time is required to manage the management costs.

Accordingly, the present invention is to solve the above problems, the one or more vending machines connected to the communication network integrated management while monitoring the operating state of each vending machine, the sales status of goods, the settlement history according to the goods sales remotely The purpose is to provide a vending machine integrated management system that can efficiently manage the vending machine by controlling.

In order to achieve the above object, the vending machine integrated management system according to the present invention is a vending machine management system comprising one or more vending machines each of which is assigned an identification unique code and automatically sells the goods, and a vending machine manager server managing these vending machines. A storage unit for storing the unique code for identifying the vending machine and internal setting information of the vending machine; A banknote accommodating unit mounted with a solenoid applied thereto to identify and insert the banknotes to be inserted and detachable by electronic control; The pocket door is made up of a plurality of pockets that can be put in and display the goods, and the pocket door is open according to the solenoid to allow opening by electronic control for each pocket, and the goods are opened by opening the pocket door according to the banknote amount identified in the bill compartment. An article pocket portion having a button for the article; A settlement processor configured to settle the sales amount of the article in the corresponding pocket from the bill value identified according to the opening of the pocket door of the article pocket; An amount display unit which displays the identified banknote amount or the settled amount; When the bill is stored in the bill receiving unit and the button of the article pocket part is pressed, the corresponding pocket door is allowed to be opened, and the operation state information and the pocket door are performed by controlling the operation of the vending machine according to the internal setting information or the external operation of the vending machine. A control unit for generating a control signal for transmitting the opening information and the settlement information to the vending machine manager server; And transmits the identification unique code, operation state information, pocket door opening information, and settlement information to the vending machine manager server according to a control signal of the controller, and controls the vending machine transmitted from the vending machine manager server. A vending machine having a TCP / IP communication unit for receiving a signal and transmitting the signal to the control unit; And a vending machine manager server for receiving the unique code for identification, operation state information, pocket door opening information, and settlement information from the vending machine to monitor the operation state of the vending machine, the sales status of the product, and the settlement details, and to remotely control the vending machine. It is characterized by.

The vending machine may include: an illumination sensor unit configured to detect an illumination of external light in order to improve convenience of use as an additional function; Lighting lamps emitting light energy; And an illumination button for extinguishing the illumination lamp, wherein the controller controls the on / off of the illumination lamp according to the amount of illumination detected by the illumination sensor, so that the illumination lamp is forcibly turned off when the illumination button is pressed. It is desirable to control.

In addition, the vending machine further includes an alarm generating unit for generating an alarm signal to prevent theft as an additional function, and the control unit generates an alarm when the banknote accommodating part is forcibly detached or the pocket door of the article pocket part is forcibly opened. It is desirable to control to generate an additional alarm signal.

In addition, the vending machine, an anion generating unit for generating an anion to improve the ease of use as an additional function; And an anion button for generating an anion, and the control unit preferably controls the anion generating unit to generate an anion when the anion button is pressed.

In addition, the vending machine, the temperature sensor unit for sensing the temperature in the pocket of the article pocket portion to improve the ease of use as an additional function; A thermoelectric element cooling method further includes a cold air generating unit for generating and supplying cold air into the pocket of the article pocket part, and the control unit controls the cold air generating unit to generate cold air so as to maintain a set temperature at which the temperature detected by the temperature sensor unit is set. It is desirable to.

The vending machine may further include a sleep button for switching to the sleep mode in order to improve the convenience of use as an additional function, and the control unit may be switched to the standby state in the sleep mode when the sleep button is pressed.

In addition, the vending machine preferably further includes an RS-232 communication unit for interfacing serial communication so that a unique code for identification can be input using an external terminal in order to improve usability as an additional function.

In addition, it is preferable that the vending machine further includes an internet terminal unit to which an internet terminal can be connected in order to improve convenience in use as an additional function.

In addition, the vending machine is a wireless function to set the internal setting information of the vending machine using the remote control, or to remove the bill compartment, or to open the pocket of the article pocket to improve the ease of use as an additional function. It is preferable to further include a wireless communication unit to interface.

In addition, the vending machine integrated management system, the vending machine and the vending machine manager server is a high-speed Internet connection service, such as a power line, telephone line, leased line, ISDN, cable TV network, satellite access, virtual private network, wireless network to use various communication networks It can be connected through any one of the lines, the power line communication modem is further provided to the vending machine to enable power line communication between the vending machine and the vending machine management server when connected via the power line, vending machine and vending machine when connected via the cable TV network It is preferable to further include a cable modem in the vending machine to enable cable communication between management servers.

On the other hand, the vending machine integrated management system, the vending machine manager server is assigned a unique code for identifying the server to integrate and manage the vending machine manager server, connected to the vending machine manager server and the Internet network for server identification from the vending machine manager server It is preferable to further include a vending machine operator server for receiving the unique code and the vending machine sales status, monitoring the vending machine sales status managed by the vending machine manager server, and remotely controlling the vending machine.

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

1 is a conceptual diagram of a network of a vending machine integrated management system according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an external view of a vending machine according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the vending machine according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the vending machine integrated management system according to the present invention may be assigned with a unique code for identifying each vending machine, each of which is sold separately from one or more vending machines 100 and the vending machine 100. The vending machine manager server 140 connected to the communication line 130 and integrated management of the vending machine 100 and the vending machine manager server 140 are connected to the Internet network 150 to manage and operate the vending machine manager server 140 integratedly. It consists of a vending machine operator server 160. As such, the vending machine integrated management system enables efficient integrated management by managing a large number of vending machines in one network. At this time, when there are a plurality of vending machine manager server 140, it is preferable to be assigned a unique code for identifying each server.

The vending machine 100 may be installed in a room of each lodging facility (A or B), and the vending machine manager server 140 may be installed and operated at the front of the lodging facility managing the vending machine. The 160 may be installed at the head office operating the vending machine 100 while managing the lodging facilities A and B in which the vending machine 100 is installed.

In the present invention, the vending machine 100 and the vending machine manager server 140 may apply Ethernet communication (TCP / IP communication) capable of real-time bidirectional communication so that various communication means may be utilized at low cost. Accordingly, the vending machine manager server 140 may monitor the vending machine 100 by receiving information about each vending machine 100, and may efficiently control each vending machine 100. In addition, the communication network between the vending machine 100 and the vending machine manager server 140 is a high-speed Internet connection service, such as a power line, telephone line, leased line, ISDN, cable TV network, satellite connection, virtual private network, wireless network, etc. Various communication lines can be used together. In this case, when using a power line, a predetermined power line communication modem must be separately provided in the vending machine 100 to enable power line communication. In the case of using a cable TV network, a predetermined cable modem is provided to the vending machine 100 to enable cable communication. It should be provided separately. In addition, when using a wireless network, it is necessary to relay wireless data through a wireless data base station.

Vending machine 100 of the present invention has a variety of additional functions in addition to the basic function of selling goods to improve the convenience of the user or improve the management efficiency of the administrator.

As shown in FIG. 2, the front side of the vending machine 100 generates a wireless communication unit 101 for interfacing a wireless signal transmitted from a predetermined remote controller, an illuminance sensor unit 102 for sensing external light, and an alarm sound. The alarm generating unit 103, the time display unit 104 to display the current time, the amount display unit 105 to display the amount of money, anion button 106 for generating negative ions, an illumination button 107 for turning off the illumination , The sleep button 108 for switching to the sleep mode, the cancel button 109 for discharging the inserted banknotes, the negative ion outlet 111 for discharging negative ions to the outside when the negative ion button 106 is pressed, the banknote Banknote opening 112 for, an article pocket portion 113 that can be put into the article display and an illumination lamp 118 for emitting light to the outside for a constant illumination is disposed. Therefore, the user can not only purchase the goods in the article pocket portion 113 by inserting the bill into the bill input port 112, but also by pressing the anion button 106 to generate negative ions for air cleaning or lighting button ( Press 107 to turn off the illumination lamp 118 to darken the area around the vending machine, or press the sleep button 108 to cause the vending machine to enter the sleep mode to relax in a comfortable state. In addition, the vending machine can be operated using a remote control.

The vending machine 100 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3.

The storage unit 114 stores unique code information assigned to identify the vending machine as memory means, setting information which is basic information for operating the vending machine, and the like. The banknote accommodating part 117 identifies and accommodates banknotes which are input through the banknote inlet 112 so that a solenoid is applied to be detachable by electronic control. In addition, the article pocket 113 has a plurality of pockets to separate and put various articles therein, each pocket is a pocket door to which the solenoid is applied so as to be opened by electronic control and the bill receiving portion 117 There is a separate button to open the pocket door according to the banknote amount identified in the) to select the article.

Here, the article pocket portion 113, the temperature sensor unit 115 that can sense the temperature in the pocket to store the article at a constant temperature (3 ~ 7 ℃) and the generation of cold air to generate and supply the cold air into the pocket The unit 116 may be installed. The cold air generator 116 may be a semiconductor thermoelectric element cooling method to minimize noise. At this time, some pockets may be refrigerated and the remaining pockets may be unchilled.

The settlement processing unit 118 receives the bill into the bill storage unit 117, and any pocket button of the article pocket unit 113 is pressed by the user's operation to open the corresponding pocket door. Settle the amount of goods sold in the pocket. Then, the amount display unit 105 displays the amount of bills identified by the bill accommodating unit 117 or the amount processed by the settlement processing unit 112. In addition, the time display unit 104 displays the current time for the convenience of the user, and may receive time information from the vending machine manager server 140.

The control unit 120 allows the corresponding pocket door to be opened when the banknote is received in the banknote accommodating part 117 and the pocket button of the article pocket part 113 is pressed.

In addition, the operation of the vending machine is controlled by the internal setting information of the vending machine or the user's operation. Specifically, the controller 120 controls the on / off of the lighting lamp 118 according to the external illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor 102. That is, when the external illuminance is a predetermined value or more, the lighting lamp 118 may be controlled to be turned on, and when it is below a predetermined value, the lighting lamp 118 may be controlled to be turned off. However, when the illumination button 107 is pressed by the user's operation, the illumination lamp 118 is controlled to be turned off unconditionally regardless of the illumination amount detected by the illumination sensor 102.

The controller 120 may generate an alarm sound from the alarm generator 103 when the banknote accommodating part 117 is forcibly detached by an external force or the pocket door of the article pocket part 113 is forcibly opened. Can be controlled. In other words, the alarm sounds to prevent theft.

Then, the control unit 120 controls so that when the negative ion button 106 is pressed by the user's operation, negative ions are generated in the negative ion generating unit 110 to be discharged to the outside through the negative ion outlet 111. The controller 120 controls the cold air generator 116 to generate cold air so that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor unit 115 maintains a set temperature. In addition, when the sleep button 108 is pressed by the user's operation, the control unit 120 switches to the standby mode in the sleep mode to stop the operation of the cold air generating unit 116 and turn off the illumination lamp 118.

As described above, the controller 120 opens the pocket door after the banknote is put in and the goods are sold or the operating state is changed by the internal setting information or the user's operation. Generates a control signal for transmitting information and the like to the vending machine manager server 140 in real time.

When the control unit 120 generates a control signal for transmission, the TCP / IP communication unit 121 generates a unique code for identification stored in the storage unit 114 in the TCP / IP communication method, operation state information of the vending machine, and pocket door opening information. And settlement information, etc., in real time to the vending machine manager server 140. When the control signal of the vending machine transmitted from the vending machine manager server 140 is received, the control unit 120 transmits the control signal to the control unit 120.

However, the vending machine may include an RS-232 communication unit 122 for interfacing serial communication so as to connect an external terminal such as a PC and input an identification unique code. In addition, the vending machine may be provided with an internet terminal unit 123 so that a user may conveniently connect to an Internet terminal such as a laptop and use Internet services. The vending machine may be configured to interface wireless signals so that an administrator may set internal setting information of the vending machine using a predetermined remote control, remove or remove the bill storage unit 117, or open the pocket door of the article pocket unit 113. The wireless communication unit 101 may be provided.

On the other hand, when the vending machine manager server 140 receives the unique code for identification, operation status information, pocket door opening information and settlement information, etc. from the vending machine 100 through the communication line 130, the vending machine ( It monitors the operation status of the 100 or the sales status of goods and settlement history, and also controls the vending machine 100 remotely. In addition, the vending machine operator server 160 monitors the goods sales status of the vending machine 100 managed by the vending machine manager server 140 while managing and receiving the corresponding information from the vending machine manager server 140 through the Internet network 150. Then, the vending machine 100 is controlled remotely.

4 is an example of the monitoring screen of the individual vending machine according to the invention, Figure 5 is an example of the monitoring screen of the entire vending machine according to the present invention.

As shown in Figure 4, the vending machine integrated management system of the present invention by receiving the operating state information of the individual vending machine 100 in real time from the vending machine manager server 140 or vending machine operator server 160, the power state, set temperature, current Conditions such as temperature, theft state, sleep mode, lighting state, and anion generation can be monitored, and fault conditions such as bill recognizer (paper bank), temperature sensor, and illuminance sensor can be monitored. In addition, by receiving the pocket door opening information in real time, it is possible to monitor the sales status of goods by pocket or to monitor the cumulative sales status of each pocket. In addition, it is possible to monitor the settlement history of the vending machine sales.

As shown in FIG. 5, the vending machine integrated management system of the present invention may monitor the operation status of the vending machine, the product sales status, and the settlement history of the vending machine manager server 140 or the vending machine operator server 160. . That is, it is possible to monitor the pocket information is sold goods for each vending machine, it is possible to monitor the operating state information of the vending machine.

6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the vending machine integrated management system according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 6, when a guest staying in a lodging facility first puts bills in a vending machine to purchase goods for sale in a vending machine installed in a room, the vending machine identifies and stores the inserted bills (S110) ( S120). Subsequently, when the guest presses a pocket button containing a desired item among the various items of the vending machine, the door of the corresponding pocket is opened to take out the corresponding item (S130) (S140).

Subsequently, the pocket door opening information of the vending machine, that is, the item sale information and the settlement information generated according to the item sale are transmitted to the vending machine manager server and managed (S150) (S160). For example, if 2,000 won is input and 1,500 won is sold, the settlement information of 500 won is transmitted. Therefore, the vending machine manager server manages the product sales status such as the item details information sold for each vending machine and the settlement information according to the product sale.

Lastly, the guest checks the settlement details while receiving the settlement amount while watching the management terminal screen of the vending machine manager server installed at the front of the lodging facility (S170).

The vending machine operator server may receive sales information for each vending machine managed by the vending machine manager server installed in various accommodations and integrate and manage the vending machine. Therefore, the operator who installs the vending machine in the lodging establishment by the rental method can check the sales status of the goods and distribute the profit according to the lodging establishment managing the vending machine according to a predetermined ratio.

On the other hand, although the vending machine integrated management system according to the present invention has been described according to a limited embodiment, the scope of the present invention is not limited to a specific embodiment, within the scope obvious to those skilled in the art with respect to the present invention Many alternatives, modifications and variations can be made.

As described above, the vending machine integrated management system according to the present invention integrates and manages one or more vending machines, but monitors the operation status of each vending machine, the sales status of goods, the settlement details according to the goods sales, and the vending machine by remotely controlling the vending machine. It can improve the management work efficiency. In addition, by providing a variety of additional functions, it is easy to manage and operate and maximize the convenience of customers. In addition, by applying the TCP / IP communication method between the vending machine and the vending machine manager server, it is possible to reduce the network construction cost by utilizing a variety of conventional communication lines.

Claims (11)

A vending machine management system comprising one or more vending machines each of which is assigned a unique code for identification and automatically sells goods, and a vending machine manager server managing these vending machines, A storage unit which stores the unique code for identifying the vending machine and internal setting information of the vending machine; A banknote accommodating unit mounted with a solenoid applied thereto to identify and insert the banknotes to be inserted and detachable by electronic control; The pocket door is made up of a plurality of pockets that can be put in and display the goods, and the pocket door is open according to the solenoid to allow opening by electronic control for each pocket, and the goods are opened by opening the pocket door according to the banknote amount identified in the bill compartment. An article pocket portion having a button for the article; A settlement processor configured to settle the sales amount of the article in the corresponding pocket from the bill value identified according to the opening of the pocket door of the article pocket; An amount display unit which displays the identified banknote amount or the settled amount; When the bill is stored in the bill receiving unit and the button of the article pocket is pressed, the corresponding pocket door is allowed to be opened, and the operation control of the vending machine is performed according to the internal setting information or the external operation of the vending machine, and the operation state information and the pocket A controller configured to generate a control signal for transmitting door opening information and settlement information to the vending machine manager server; And The identification code, operation state information, pocket door opening information, and settlement information are transmitted to the vending machine manager server in a TCP / IP communication method according to the control signal of the control unit, and the control signal of the vending machine transmitted from the vending machine manager server. A vending machine having a TCP / IP communication unit for receiving and transmitting the received signal to the control unit; And a vending machine manager server for receiving the unique code for identification, operation state information, pocket door opening information, and settlement information from the vending machine to monitor the operation state of the vending machine, the sales status of the product, and the settlement details, and to remotely control the vending machine. Vending machine integrated management system, characterized in that. The vending machine of claim 1, An illumination sensor unit for detecting an illumination of external light; Lighting lamps emitting light energy; And Further provided with an illumination button for turning off the illumination lamp, The control unit controls the on / off of the lighting lamp according to the amount of illumination detected by the illumination sensor unit, but when the illumination button is pressed, the lighting lamp is forcibly turned off. The vending machine of claim 1, Further comprising an alarm generating unit for generating an alarm signal, And the control unit controls the alarm generation unit to generate an alarm signal when the banknote accommodating part is forcibly detached or the pocket door of the article pocket part is opened. The vending machine of claim 1, Anion generating unit for generating anion; And Further provided with an anion button for generating an anion, The control unit is a vending machine integrated management system, characterized in that for controlling the negative ion generating unit to generate negative ions when the button is pressed. The vending machine of claim 1, A temperature sensor unit for sensing a temperature in a pocket of the article pocket unit; Further comprising a cold air generating unit for generating and supplying cold air into the pocket of the article pocket portion as a thermoelectric element cooling method, And the control unit controls the cold air generating unit to generate cold air so that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor unit maintains a set temperature. The vending machine of claim 1, Further comprising a sleep button for switching to the sleep mode, The controller is a vending machine integrated management system, characterized in that to switch to the standby state when the sleep button is pressed. The vending machine of claim 1, And an RS-232 communication unit for interfacing serial communication to input a unique code for identification using an external terminal. The vending machine of claim 1, An integrated vending machine management system, characterized by further comprising an internet terminal for connecting an internet terminal. The vending machine of claim 1, And a wireless communication unit for interfacing a wireless signal to allow setting of internal setting information of the vending machine or removal of a bill storing unit and opening of an item pocket part pocket door using a remote controller. According to claim 1, The vending machine integrated management system, The vending machine and the vending machine manager server are connected through any one of a power line, a telephone line, a dedicated line, an Internet high speed access service (ISDN, cable TV network, satellite access), a virtual private network, and a wireless network. In addition, the vending machine further includes a power line communication modem to enable power line communication between the vending machine and the vending machine management server when connected through the power line. The vending machine integrated management system, characterized in that the vending machine further comprises a cable modem to enable cable communication between the vending machine and the vending machine management server when connected via the cable TV network. The vending machine integrated management system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, The vending machine manager server is assigned a unique code for identifying the server, Connected to the vending machine manager server and the Internet network to receive the unique code for identifying the server and the sales status of the vending machine from the vending machine manager server to monitor the vending machine sales status managed by the vending machine manager server, and remotely controlling the vending machine A vending machine integrated management system, further comprising a vending machine operator server.

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