JPH03216792A - Vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent such a mistake where the commodities of the same type are sold at temperature different from a desired level by inhibiting a state where plural commodity store columns are divided into groups over the rooms of different modes. CONSTITUTION:A vending machine main body 10 consists of a 1st room I containing four commodity store columns C1 - C4 and a 2nd room II containing four commodity store columns C5 - C8. An operation changeover switch 18 controls the ON/OFF of a power supply and at the same time selects the operation modes (cooling operation mode and heating operation mode) of both rooms I and II. In such a main body 10 that can simultaneously handle both cooled and heated commodities, it is inhibited that plural commodity store columns are divided into groups over the rooms I and II of different operation modes. Thus, it is possible to prevent such a mistake where the commodities of the same type are sold at temperatures different from a desired level.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a vending machine that heats or cools articles stored in a plurality of article storage columns and selectively vends them automatically.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, as shown in FIG.
C8, and selection switches ■ to ■ are provided corresponding to each column, and when one of the selection switches is turned on after a predetermined amount has been deposited, the item corresponding to the switch is BACKGROUND ART In a vending machine that automatically sells items by taking them out of storage columns, a selling method is adopted in which, for example, popular items are stored in two or more columns to prevent out-of-stock items. In this case, when the sale of the same item stored in multiple columns is selected by the selection switch corresponding to that column, sales will be made not from the column corresponding to that switch but from another column where the same item is stored. Products that allow selective sales are known.

That is, in FIG. 5, for example, article storage columns 01-
Assuming that the same item is stored in C3, the items can be sold repeatedly in the order of columns CI-C2 → C3 → C1-..., even if any of the selection switches ■ to ■ is turned on. There is. By doing this, the amount of the same product remaining in each column is not biased, and the circulation of the items stored in each column is improved, which has the advantage of being sanitary.

By the way, sales control of such vending machines is usually performed by a microcomputer.

That is, article storage columns storing the same article are grouped and the grouping information is set in the memory of the microcomputer. Then, each time the selection switch is turned on, the microcomputer checks whether the column corresponding to the selection switch is grouped. If the column is not grouped, sales of goods from the corresponding column is controlled. On the other hand, when the columns are grouped, the program is programmed to select a corresponding column in a predetermined order from among the columns in the same group to control article sales.

On the other hand, some vending machines contain, for example,
As seen in Publication No. 916, a plurality of article storage columns are divided into two or more chambers, each chamber is provided with a cooling device and a heater, and the cooling device is installed in each chamber by switching a mode switch. Should it be operated (cooling operation mode)?
Select whether to operate the heating heater (heating operation mode) to cool or heat the items in each column and sell them.
There are so-called hot and cold vending machines. The above-described sales method can also be applied to such vending machines. That is, in FIG. 5, article storage columns C1 to C4 are designated as chamber I, and article storage columns C5 to C8 are designated as chamber I.
Let be room ■. In this state, article storage columns 01 to C3
It is possible to store the same articles in columns 01 to C3 and sell the articles in order from each column 01 to C3. It is also possible to store the same article in the article storage columns C1 to C3 and C8 and sell the article sequentially from each column C1 to C3 and C8.

However, in this case, if the operating modes of chambers (1) and (2) were different, there was a risk that the same article would be sold at a temperature different from that of the article corresponding to the selection switch. For example, chamber I
Assuming that the chamber is in cooling operation and the heating operation in chamber ■, column C1 of chamber I and column C8 of chamber ■ belong to the same group, and the same article is stored in both columns C1 and 08. , each time the selection switch ■ corresponding to column C1 or the selection switch ■ corresponding to column C8 is operated, cooled articles and heated articles are sold alternately, regardless of the switch. . For this reason, when a customer who tried to purchase a cooled item operated the switch ■, the same heated item was sold, or conversely, when a customer who tried to purchase a heated item operated the switch ■, the item was cooled. There was an inconvenience that the same products that were sold were sold.

(Three problems to be solved by the invention) As described above, in a vending machine that can handle cooled articles and heated articles at the same time, when storing the same article in two or more article storage columns, the Depending on the previous selection, there is a risk that an error may occur in which an item corresponding to the selection switch is sold as the same item but at a different temperature.

The present invention has been made based on the above circumstances, and its purpose is to prevent the grouping of multiple article storage columns across rooms with different operation modes, thereby preventing the same article from being grouped together. However, it is an object of the present invention to provide a vending machine that can prevent sales errors in which items at different temperatures are sold than desired.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention has a plurality of article storage columns, and selectively sells automatically by cooling or heating the articles stored in these article storage columns. , and articles stored in multiple article storage columns belonging to the same group are cooled and sold according to each article storage column in a vending machine that vends in a predetermined order within the group. A storage means for storing information for distinguishing between a column of articles and a column for articles to be heated and sold, and information as to whether the column belongs to a group; and an input means for inputting information as to whether the column belongs to a group; Information setting processing for the storage means when at least two article storage columns determined to belong to the same group by information input by the input means include a column for articles to be sold after cooling and a column for articles to be sold by heating. and setting prohibition means for prohibiting.

(Function) In a vending machine that takes such a measure, information can be input using the input means so that at least two of the plurality of storage columns for cooling and selling articles form the same group. When done, the setting information is stored by the storage means. Further, even if information is input so that at least two of the plurality of storage columns for heated and sold articles form the same group, the setting information is stored in the storage means.

On the other hand, if information is input so that multiple storage columns for items sold after cooling and multiple storage columns for items sold after heating are mixed together to form the same group, the setting information becomes invalid.

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

In FIG. 1, the vending machine main body 10 is composed of a first chamber I having four article storage columns 01 to C4, and a second chamber I having the same four article storage columns 05 to c8. has been done. Then, corresponding to each article storage column 01 to C8, one article is stored in the column.
Bend mechanisms 81 to B8 for transporting items one by one, selection switches ■ to ■ for instructing the sale of the products stored in the column, and displaying the sale/out-of-stock status of the products stored in the column, etc. Display elements L1 to L
8 is provided. In addition, the first and second chambers I and II are equipped with cooling devices 1 1 a and 1 for cooling the chambers, respectively.
1 l b, heater 1 for heating the room
2a, 12b, fan motors 13a, 13b of blower fans that circulate cold or warm air in the room; cold thermometers 14a, 14b that detect when the temperature in the room has fallen below a preset temperature; temperature in the room; Hot thermostats 15a and 15b are built in to detect when the temperature has risen above a preset temperature.

In the figure, 16 is a microprocessor constituting the main body of the control section. This microprocessor 16 operates according to a preset program to control the sale of goods in the vending machine, and includes a RAM (random access memory) 17 in which memory used for various data processing is formed.
has.

The microprocessor 16 also includes the selection switches 1 to 3, the display elements L1 to L8, the cooling device 11a, the llbs heaters 12a, 12b, the fan motors 13a, 13b, the cold thermostat 14a,
1 4 b, hot thermostats 15a and 15b, an operation selector switch 18, a keyboard 19, a display 20, a coin mechanism 21, and an unloading control circuit 22 are connected, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 2, the operation selector switch 18 controls the on/off of the power supply, and
,■ operation mode (cooling operation mode C1 heating operation mode H).
1'', the first chamber 1 is in cooling operation mode C, and the second chamber ■
is set to heating operation mode H, and when the switch position is "2", both the first chamber I and the second chamber ■ are set to cooling operation mode C.
When the switch position is "3", the first chamber is set to heating operation mode H and the second chamber ■ is set to cooling operation mode C, and when the switch position is "4", both the first chamber I and the second chamber ■ are set to the heating operation mode H. Set heating operation mode H.

The keyboard 19 is equipped with keys for inputting various data, including a key for commanding execution of group setting processing to be described later, a key for inputting a group number used in this group setting processing, a key for skip command, and a key for canceling an error. Keys etc. are provided. And this keyboard 19
The key input data and the like are displayed on the display 20.

The coin mechanism 21 is for counting the amount of coins inserted from a coin slot (not shown), and the amount data is given to the microprocessor 16. Further, the unloading control circuit 22 is for selectively operating the bending mechanisms 81 to B8 in response to operation commands from the microprocessor 22.

On the other hand, in the RAM 17, as shown in FIG. 3, a column information table 31, a group information table 32, a column counter n area 33, etc. are formed.

The above-mentioned column-specific information table 31 includes each article storage column C.
Corresponding to the column numbers [1] to [8] that distinguish 1 to C8, the corresponding column stores items that are sold after being cooled (status “1”) or stores items that are sold after being heated. The column has an area a1 where a status is set to distinguish whether the column has been assigned (status "0"), and an area a2 where a group number is set when the column is grouped. Here, the status set in the area a1 changes depending on the state of the operation selector switch 18, and when the switch position of the operation selector switch 18 is "1", the status of column numbers [11 to [4] is "1". ” The status of column numbers [5] to [8] is “
0°, and when the switch position is “2”, the column number [
When the statuses of 1 to [8] are all "1" and the switch position is "3", the status of column numbers [1] to [4] is "0", and the status of column numbers [5] to [8] is "0". When the switch position is "4", the statuses of column numbers [1] to [8] all become "O".

The above-mentioned group information table 32 contains group numbers [01] to [04] as group identification information when at least two article storage columns are grouped (up to 4 groups can be created when the number of columns is 8). If the corresponding group is a group of columns containing identical items that are sold after being cooled (status “1”), then
), and has an area a3 in which a status is set to distinguish whether the column is a group of columns containing the same article to be heated and sold (status "O"). Here, the status set in the area a3 also changes depending on the state of the operation selector switch 18, and when the switch position of the operation selector switch 18 is "1", the group number [01
]. The status of [02] is “1” Group number [0
When the status of 33 and [04] is "O' and the switch position is "2", the status of group numbers [01] to [04] are all "1" and the switch position is "3".
”, group number [01]. The status of [02] is "0" Group number [03]. The status of [)4] becomes a12, and when the switch position is "4", the statuses of column numbers [01] to [04] all become "0".

The microprocessor 16 is program-controlled so as to be able to execute the group setting process shown in FIG. 4 at any time in response to key input operations from the keyboard 19. That is, when execution of the group setting process is commanded by operating a predetermined key on the keyboard 19, the microprocessor 16 starts the process shown in the flowchart, and first initializes the column counter n in the area 33 to "0". Next, after incrementing the counter n by "+1", a message is displayed on the display 20 inquiring whether group information has been set for the article storage column with column number n. In this state, when the key for commanding skip is input from the keyboard 19, the column counter n is set to "
After incrementing the count by ``+1'', the display 2o again displays a message inquiring whether group information is set for the article storage column with column number n. When a key input of group number m is performed from the keyboard 19, the status of area a3 corresponding to the group number m is read out from the group information table 32. Furthermore, the status of area a2 corresponding to column number n is read from the column-by-column information table 31. Then compare both stats. Here, if both statuses match, the input group number m is set in the area a3 corresponding to the column number n of the column-specific information table 31, and the process returns to the updating process of the column counter n.

On the other hand, if the two statuses do not match, display 2
0 to display a predetermined error message.

Thereafter, when an instruction is given to cancel the error by operating a key on the keyboard 19, the process returns to updating the column counter n.

In the process of updating the column counter n, if the counter n exceeds "8", the setting process ends.

In this embodiment having such a configuration, when the switch position of the operation selector switch 18 is set to "1", for example, the first
The second chamber I is driven by the cooling device 11a and operates in a cooling operation mode, and the second chamber I is driven by a heater 12b and operates in a heating operation mode.

In this state, articles to be cooled and sold are stored in the article storage columns C1 to C4 provided in the first chamber I, and articles to be cooled and sold are stored in the article storage columns C1 to C4 provided in the second chamber I, respectively.
Items to be heated and sold are stored in each of the boxes 8 and 8.

Now, if the same articles for chilled sale are to be stored in the article storage columns C1 to C3, it is necessary to set these columns C1 to C3 to belong to the same group (for example, group number [01]). That is, the operator operates a predetermined key on the keyboard 19 to instruct execution of the group setting process. Then, the display 20
First, a message indicating whether or not group information is set for column C1 is displayed, so enter the corresponding group number [01
]. At this time, since the status of area a3 corresponding to group I number [01] is "1" and the status of area a1 corresponding to column number [1] is also "1", grouping is permitted and group number [01] ] is stored in the area a3 corresponding to column number [1] of the column-specific information table 31.

Next, a message indicating whether or not group information is set for column C2 is displayed on the display 20, so the group number [01] is key-inputted again. In this case as well, since the status of area a3 corresponding to group number [01] matches the status of area a1 corresponding to column number [1, grouping is permitted, and group number [01] is is stored in area a3 corresponding to column number [2].

Next, a message indicating whether group information is set for column C3 is displayed on the display 20. In this case as well, by key-inputting the group number [01], the input group number [01] can be set in the column information table 31. It is stored in area a3 corresponding to column number [3].

Thereafter, this setting process is completed by operating keys on the keyboard 19 to issue a skip command five times in succession.

When the above-mentioned setting process is completed, in the vending machine, after a predetermined amount is input from the coin entrance, the selection switch corresponding to the article storage columns 01 to C3 is pressed.
Every time any one of ~■ is turned on, the bend mechanisms B1 to B3 change from B1→B2→B3→B1→...
... are repeatedly driven in a predetermined order. As a result, C
The same article is automatically sold after being cooled in the order of 1→C2-C3-Cl-...

By the way, when the same article for refrigerated sale is stored in the article storage columns C1 to C3 and C8 with the switch position of the operation changeover switch 18 set to "1", for example, the article storage columns C1 to C3 are can be set as belonging to the same group using the method described above. However,
In the group setting process, when the group information setting presence/absence message for article storage column C8 is displayed on the display 20, if you key in the group number [01],
Status "0" of area a3 corresponding to this group number [01] and area a1 corresponding to column number [1]
Since the status "1" does not match, grouping is prohibited and an error message is displayed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is prohibited to set a group number for refrigerated sales articles to an article storage column of a room in which the heating operation mode is selected by the operation changeover switch 18. Similarly, a group number for heated sales articles may be set for the article storage column of the room in which the cooling operation mode is selected by the operation changeover switch 18.

In other words, it is prohibited to set the article storage column in a room in which the heating operation mode is selected and the article storage column in a room in which the cooling operation mode is selected in the same group. Therefore, in a vending machine that can handle both chilled and heated items at the same time, the same heated item may be sold to a customer who was trying to purchase a chilled item, or
Conversely, sales mistakes such as selling the same cooled product to a customer who intended to purchase a heated product can be reliably prevented.

Furthermore, as mentioned above, it is automatically prohibited to set the article storage column of a room in which the heating operation mode is selected and the article storage column of a room in which the cooling operation mode is selected to be in the same group. This eliminates the need for the operator to be aware of the operating mode of the room, simplifying the setting work.

In addition, although the said Example illustrated the vending machine which consists of two chambers, it is not limited to this, and the vending machine provided with three or more chambers may be sufficient.

[Effects of the Invention] As detailed above, according to the present invention, by prohibiting grouping of a plurality of article storage columns across rooms with different operation modes, it is possible to store desired articles even though they are the same article. It is possible to provide a vending machine that can prevent sales errors in which items with different temperatures from the originals are sold, and that can avoid setting work for grouping.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 4 are diagrams showing one embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an operation selector switch, and FIG. 3 is a main memory configuration of RAM. 4 is a flowchart showing the group setting process in the micro brochure/soser, and FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram used to explain the conventional example. 16... Microprocessor, 18... Operation selection switch, 19... Keyboard (input means), 31... Column information table (storage means), 32.
...Group information table.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A device that has a plurality of article storage columns, cools or heats the articles stored in these article storage columns, and selectively sells them automatically, and is stored in the plurality of article storage columns belonging to a group. In a vending machine that sells items in a predetermined order within the group, a column for items sold after cooling or a column for items sold after heating corresponds to each item storage column. a storage means for storing information distinguishing whether or not the group belongs to the group; and an input means for inputting information as to whether the group belongs to the group; and setting prohibition means for prohibiting information setting processing for the storage means when a column for articles to be sold after being cooled and a column for articles to be sold by heating are mixed in at least two article storage columns. A vending machine featuring