JPH03224088A - Stock control device for automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform stock control in every detail by providing a data detecting means and a data conversion means at an automatic vending machine, and performing the stock control from a remote place via the line of a public telephone set. CONSTITUTION:An automatic vending machine part 2 is comprised of a main CPU 21, a coin selection machine 22 to select an inputted coin, and a sensor CPU 23, and furthermore, the sensor CPU 23 consists of sensors 23a-23e which detect and store every kind of stock control data generated in the automatic vending machine i.e. the number of stock of goods, the quantity of change, the clogging of the coin, etc., respectively, and they can be read out at need. Also, a telephone set part 3 is comprised of a handset 31, a dial pad 32, and an NCU 33. When a telephone set assembled in the automatic vending machine is called from the remote place other than a part where the automatic vending machine is installed, and a specific push-phone tone decided in advance is sent, stock control data made into a numeric value is displayed on a central control station. Thereby, it is possible to easily and inexpensively perform the stock control from the remote place.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an inventory management device for a vending machine, and in particular, a device for managing inventory in a vending machine, which uses a communication line to collect various information such as the number of products in stock, out-of-stock items, and change. The present invention relates to an inventory management device for vending machines that can be obtained from a remote location.

[Prior art and its problems] Currently, in Japan, vending machines exist for a wide variety of products, not just conventional ones such as cigarettes and drinking water, and the number of vending machines installed is steadily increasing.

Inventory management, such as replenishing products in these vending machines and running out of change, has traditionally been carried out by either vending machine service personnel who visit each vending machine one by one, or by a staff member at the store where the machines are installed. was.

However, when vending machines are installed, sales of the same product can vary depending on the location, season, and weather.

However, because it is not possible to predict how well each vending machine's products will shine, vending machines often end up running out of products or running out of change, and even though there are still plenty of products available, they have to go around and cause labor shortages. This resulted in costly drawbacks.

In addition, in order to be able to manage the inventory of vending machines from a remote location, a method is being considered in which each vending machine is equipped with a special transmitting/receiving device such as a CPU or modem, and the inventory is controlled by the transmitting/receiving device from a remote location. However, it had the drawback that the cost of providing a transmitting and receiving device was too high, which was a factor that prevented it from being put into practical use.

[Purpose of the Invention] Therefore, the applicant of this patent has proposed that although it is desired to increase not only the number of vending machines but also the number of public telephones,
Focusing on the fact that the number of places where it can be installed is decreasing year by year, we developed a vending machine with a built-in public telephone, and in this vending machine, the inventory management of the vending machine can be carried out remotely via the public telephone line. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a device that can perform detailed inventory management to ensure there is no excess or shortage of products, without having to visit the vending machine one by one as in the past.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the vending machine inventory management device of the present invention includes a vending machine with a built-in telephone, and a system for managing the inventory of the vending machine from a remote location. The vending machine includes a data detection storage means for detecting and storing inventory management data such as the number of products in stock and balance of change, and converting the inventory management data into numerical data. The vending machine is equipped with data converting means to transmit the digitized inventory management data by making a call from the central control station to the telephone of the vending machine via a telephone line.

[Function] With the above configuration, the inventory management device of the vending machine of the present invention calls the telephone built into the vending machine at a remote location other than the installation location of the vending machine, and, for example, calls a predetermined specific item. When the Shuhon tone (hereinafter referred to as rPB tone) is sent, the numerical inventory management data of the vending machine is sent to the central control station that performs inventory management, and the data is displayed on any display means there. This enables inventory management.

Also, when sending a large amount of data, it is better to use a modem instead of a PB tone.

Furthermore, for example, if the central control station that manages the inventory of vending machines in a retail store where the vending machine is installed, a department store, a supermarket, etc. is close to the location where the vending machine is installed, the inventory of the vending machine will be controlled as described above. Since each telephone call to obtain management data increases telephone charges, it is better to provide a private line between the vending machine and the central control station. This has the advantage of being inexpensive to operate since there are no telephone charges.Furthermore, if necessary, an existing register or the like may be used and the inventory management data may be displayed on the register.

[Example] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an inventory management device for a vending machine according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a detailed view of an NCU, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a vending machine embodying the present invention. In these figures, the symbol l includes a vending machine section 2, a telephone section 3,
Furthermore, the vending machine device is equipped with a video section 4 as required.

This vending machine section 2 includes a main CPU 21, a coin sorter 22 for sorting coins inserted, and a sensor CPU.
The sensor CPU 23 further includes sensors 23a that detect and store various inventory management data generated within the vending machine, such as the number of products in stock, the amount of money deposited in the safe, the amount of change remaining, jammed coins, abnormality detection, etc. ~23e is also available, and can be read out at any time as needed.

The telephone unit 3 is composed of a known handset 31, a dial pad 32, and an NCU (network control unit) 33, and as shown in FIG. The transmitting/receiving unit 33d performs functions such as starting up the exchange, returning a call, sending a selection signal, and maintaining a loop.

In addition, this NCU 33 and the handset 31 are connected to the
It is connected to a public line 5 via an answering unit 33d, and a central control station 6 of a service company or the like that manages the vending machines is connected to this public line 5.

The video section 4 consists of a CRT display 41 and its VTR 42, and always broadcasts commercials for products sold at the vending machine or other product commercials from the CRT display 41 to attract the attention of passersby and promote the products. In addition to bringing about the effect, when the telephone 3 is used, when a coin is inserted into the consorting machine 22, the VTR 42 is stopped by a signal from the main CPU 21 and the CR
Product commercials on T-display 41 are turned off.

Next, a method of using the present invention will be explained.

A telephone call is made via the NCU 33 to the telephone unit 3 of the vending machine device 1 that requires data from the vending machine management service company 6.

In response to this telephone call, necessary data is read from the sensor CPU 23 via the main CPU 21, and the main CPU 2i converts the data into numerical data so that it can be sent in the form of a PB tone.The data is then sent to the vending machine. This is to be sent to the seed management service company 6.

The data may be sent immediately in response to a call from the vending machine management service company 6, but after the NCU 33 catches the call, the service company 6 sends the data to a predetermined PB)-
The data may be sent in response only when a signal (encrypted signal) that is a combination of codes is sent. This has the advantage of eliminating the possibility that a third party will obtain the data.

In addition, as a method of converting into numerical data that can be sent by PB tone, PB tone is a combination of sounds of two different frequencies.
There are a total of 12 types of sounds (r*J), so there is a product code for each product name (for example, # and a two-digit number), and a management code such as inventory management data and how many hours it was purchased (* and a two-digit number). If you predetermine the number) and the number of items in stock (two-digit number),
Each product has an 8-digit code and number that allows you to read the condition, stock quantity, etc. (e.g. r#12Jl -f*23J -r
05J etc.).

You can send all of this information to the service company 6 one after another for each item, or you can pick up only items that are in a specific state (for example, the number of items in stock is below a predetermined number) and send the data to shorten the call time ( There is an advantage that it can be done easily.

In addition, the method to detect the inventory of products within a vending company is as follows.
Countdown method (a counter is set when replenishing a product, and each time the product passes the exit, it counts down and tells the CPU how many items are left), and a position sensor (a position sensor is installed at a specific location on the product to detect the number remaining) ).

The service company 6 that has obtained the product data is equipped with a display device and a printer as necessary, and based on the data obtained, for example, the service company 6 may visit the vending machine with only the missing product and replenish it.

In addition, when managing the inventory of a large number of vending machines,
B) It is convenient to use modem 7 instead of -.

[Effects of the Invention] Since the present invention has the above configuration, information necessary for inventory management data of the vending machine, such as the number of products in stock, out-of-stock items, amount of change remaining, and jammed coins, is available in a remote location. Since the information can be easily obtained through a telephone line, optimal product replenishment and equipment maintenance for the vending machine can be carried out effectively and quickly. Therefore, service to users can be improved.

Therefore, unlike conventional vending machines, problems such as frequent product shortages due to sold out items or running out of change do not occur, and careful maintenance can be performed.

In addition, there is no need for service personnel to visit each vending machine regularly, contributing to labor cost savings.

Also, unlike conventional inventory management using barcodes or remote inventory management using communication modems, since a telephone pre-installed in the vending machine is used, it is easy and inexpensive to operate the vending machine from a remote location. It has the effect of being able to manage inventory.

In addition, it is possible to control the sales hours of specific products (for example, alcohol), or to shut down vending machines installed in residential areas, schools, companies, etc. only at night, in addition to inventory management data. control is also possible.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of an inventory management device for a vending machine according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a detailed view of an NCU, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an actual vending machine. 1... Vending machine device, 2... Vending machine section, 21
...Main CPU, 23...Sensor CPU, 3...
・Telephone unit, 4... Video unit, 5... Communication line, 6... Central control station.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) Consisting of a vending machine with a built-in telephone and a central control station that manages the inventory of the vending machine from a remote location, the vending machine has an inventory of products, balances of change, etc. A data detection storage means for detecting and storing management data, and a data conversion means for converting the inventory management data into numerical data are provided, and a call is made from the central control station to the telephone of the vending machine via a telephone line. An inventory management device for a vending machine, characterized in that the digitized inventory management data can be sent by doing so.