JPH0896231A - Controller for automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a controller for an automatic vending machine which can control vending while accurately and easily managing the guarantee period of each merchandise. CONSTITUTION: The controller is constituted of a full number setting means 1 for setting up the full number of merchandises stored in each column, a full number storing part 2 for storing each value set up by the means 1, a remaining merchandise number storing part 3 for storing the number of remaining merchandises in each column, a retention period setting means 4 for setting up the retention period of merchandises in each column, a retention period storing part 5 for storing the value set up by the means 4, a timer means 6 for counting time elapsed, plural number of remaining retention days/number of remaining merchandises storing parts 7 for storing the number of remaining retention days and the number of remaining merchandises in the number of remaining retention days, an warning means 9 for generating an warning to the external, and a supply completion input means 10 for inputting a signal at the time of completing merchandise supply.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a controller for an automatic vending machine, and more particularly to a controller for an automatic vending machine that sells products having a guaranteed period.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, vending machines have been provided with a function of managing the warranty period so that the products whose warranty period has expired will not be sold.

The above-mentioned vending machine is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-12.
It is known that the replenishment date, the warranty period, and the number of storage days as shown in Japanese Patent No. 550 are managed, and the products whose warranty period has expired are not sold.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned configuration, the means for detecting in which column and how many products are replenished is unclear, and it is not possible to accurately manage each product. Had the drawback of being poor.

The present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems. By setting the full accommodation number and the storage period for each column and performing the replenishment completion operation at the time of replenishing the merchandise, it is possible to accurately and easily distribute the merchandise to each merchandise. It is intended to provide a control device for a vending machine capable of managing the warranty period of a product.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the control device for a vending machine of the present invention is configured by a full number setting means for setting the full accommodation number of products for each column and a full number setting means. A full number storage unit that stores each of the values, a remaining number storage unit that stores the remaining number of products for each column, and a storage period setting means that sets the storage period of the product for each column,
Retention period storage section that stores the value set by the retention period setting means, timer means that counts the elapsed time, remaining retention days for each column, and the remaining retention days / remaining number for each remaining retention date It comprises an arithmetic and control unit including a storage unit, a warning unit for issuing a warning to the outside, and a replenishment completion input unit for inputting a signal when the replenishment of the products is completed.

[0007] Further, a storage state confirmation means for confirming the value of the remaining storage days / remaining number storage section, a determination means for determining the column having the smallest remaining storage days / remaining number storage section of the remaining number storage section, and a storage state. When the confirmation unit is operated, the column that has been determined by the determination unit to have the least number of remaining days, the display unit that displays the remaining number of days to save and the number in the remaining number storage section, and the remaining number of days to save and the remaining number displayed on the display unit Data erasing means for erasing the value of the number storage section,
When the data erasing means is operated, it comprises an arithmetic control section for carrying out the commodities corresponding to the remaining number of remaining days / remaining number storage section of the corresponding column displayed on the display means.

[0008] Further, sold-out detection means for detecting the sold-out of the product for each column, and a calculation for deleting the value of the remaining number of days / remaining-number storage section and the value of the remaining-number storage section of the column for which the sold-out detection means has detected the sold-out It is composed of a control unit.

Further, the alternate sale setting means for setting a plurality of columns in the same column, the alternate sale storage section for storing the group of columns set by the alternate sale setting means, and the alternate sale storage section are stored. Remaining number of days left in the column group / remaining number of days remaining Remaining number of days remaining when searching for a column with a few remaining days in the storage section and remaining number searching method when selling products from the columns stored in the alternate sale storage section If the number is small, it is configured with an arithmetic control unit that preferentially sells the products in the retrieved column.

[0010]

According to the present invention, with the above-described configuration, the calculation control unit stores the remaining number stored in the remaining number storage unit of the corresponding column and the stored remaining number of days / remaining number storage unit most each time. The remaining number that is stored in the old memory is subtracted, and when the day has passed, the remaining number of days remaining in the storage area If the number of remaining days remaining in the storage unit is less than or equal to a specified value and there is a remaining number, a signal is output to the warning means, and when a signal is input from the replenishment completion input means, by column The difference value between the full number storage unit and the remaining number storage unit and the value stored in the retention period storage unit are stored in the remaining number of days remaining / remaining number storage unit, and the value in the full number storage unit is stored in the remaining number storage unit. As a result, it is possible to accurately and easily manage the product warranty period for each product.

Also, the number of remaining columns in the column with the fewest remaining days to store the product can be easily confirmed, and when the value is deleted, the product can be automatically discharged, and the product is guaranteed even when the data is deleted. The time and effort required for managing the period can be omitted.

Further, when the products are replaced or the operation is mistaken, by extracting all the products in the corresponding column, the warranty period of the products can be accurately and easily managed and the trouble of resetting can be omitted.

In addition, the same product is filled in a plurality of columns,
Even when the products in those columns are sold evenly, the products in the columns with few remaining days to be stored are given priority, so that the unsold products due to out-of-save can be prevented.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A controller for an automatic vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a control device for an automatic vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is a full number setting means, which sets the full accommodation number of products for each column. Reference numeral 2 denotes a full number storage unit that stores the value set by the full number setting means 1 for each column. A remaining number storage unit 3 stores the remaining number of products for each column.
Reference numeral 4 is a storage period setting means for setting the storage period of the product for each column. A storage period storage unit 5 is a storage period setting means 4
The value set in is stored for each column. 6 is a timer means for counting the elapsed time. Reference numeral 7 denotes a remaining number of remaining days / remaining number storage unit, which stores the remaining number of remaining days and the remaining number of remaining number of remaining days for each column. Reference numeral 8 denotes an arithmetic control unit, which is a full number setting unit 1, a full number storage unit 2, a remaining number storage unit 3, a retention period setting unit 4, a retention period storage unit 5, a timer unit 6, and a remaining number of remaining days / remaining number storage unit 7. Consists of. Reference numeral 9 is a warning means, which externally notifies that the expired product is in the column of the vending machine.
Reference numeral 10 is a replenishment completion input means, which is an input means for operating the vending machine when the replenishment is completed.

The operation of the control device for the vending machine configured as described above will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a flow chart of the arithmetic and control unit 8 upon completion of data setting and replenishment of the control device of the vending machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

First, the operator sets the full number of articles stored in each column of the vending machine by the full number setting means 1 for each column.
When set in step 1 (STEP 1), the set value is stored in the full number storage unit 2 of the column (STEP 2). Next, when the retention period of the filled product is set by the retention period setting means 4 (STEP 3), the set value is stored in the retention period storage unit 5 of the corresponding column (STEP 4). Next, when the filling of the products is completed and the worker operates the replenishment completion input means 10 (STEP 5), from the value in the full number storage unit 2 to the remaining number storage unit 3 of the corresponding column in order from the first column. The value obtained by subtracting the value of is written into the remaining number area of the remaining number of remaining days / remaining number storage unit 7 (ST
With EP6), the value of the storage period storage unit 5 is set to the number of remaining days
Write to the remaining number of days remaining area of the remaining number storage unit 7 (STEP
7). Further, the value in the full number storage unit 2 is written in the remaining number storage unit 3 (STEP 8). And across all columns, STEP
When the processing of 6 to STEP 8 is completed (STEP 9), the processing of data setting and product replenishment ends.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of the arithmetic control unit 8 at the time of product sale of the control device for the vending machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

When the product is sold (STEP 11),
The value of the remaining number storage unit 3 corresponding to the sales column is subtracted by 1 (STEP 12). Then, the remaining number of remaining days / remaining number storage unit 7
1 is subtracted from the remaining number stored in the oldest (STEP1
3) When the remaining number becomes 0 (STEP 14), the value in the oldest remaining number of remaining days / remaining number storage unit 7 is cleared (STEP 14).
15), and the remaining remaining days / remaining number storage unit 7 stored next
The value of is to be subtracted from the remaining number at the time of the next sale.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of the arithmetic control unit 8 when one day has passed in the control device for the vending machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

When the timer means 6 detects that one day has passed (STEP 21), the number of remaining storage days per column
The storage remaining days portion of the remaining number storage unit 7 is subtracted by 1 (STEP
22). When the value of the remaining number of days remaining becomes 0 (ST
EP23), and outputs a signal to the warning means 9 (STEP2
4) Stop selling the column. When the processing of STEP22 to STEP24 is completed for all columns, 1
The processing when the day has elapsed ends.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the full number setting means 1 for setting the full number of stored articles for each column,
A full-number storage unit 2 that stores the values set by the full-number setting unit 1, a remaining-number storage unit 3 that stores the remaining number of products for each column, and a storage period setting that sets the storage period of the products for each column Means 4, a storage period storage unit 5 for storing the value set by the storage period setting unit 4, a timer unit 6 for counting an elapsed time, a storage remaining number for each column and a storage number of the storage remaining days. It is composed of an arithmetic control unit 8 including a plurality of remaining storage days / remaining number storage unit 7, a warning unit 9 for issuing a warning to the outside, and a replenishment completion input unit 10 for inputting a signal when the replenishment of goods is completed. By setting the full number and the storage period for each column in advance, and the operator operates the replenishment completion input means when the product is completely filled, the product warranty period can be accurately and easily managed for each product.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the control device for the vending machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 11 is a storage state confirmation means, which indicates the number of remaining storage days.
It is operated when confirming the value of the remaining number storage unit 7. A determination unit 12 determines the column number, the remaining number of days, and the remaining number of the product having a small remaining number of remaining days based on the value in the remaining number of remaining days / remaining number storage unit 7. A display unit 13 displays the column number, the number of remaining days, and the remaining number determined by the determination unit 12 when the storage state confirmation unit 11 is operated. Reference numeral 14 denotes a data erasing means, which is operated when erasing the column number and the remaining number of days determined by the determining means 12 and the remaining number. Reference numeral 8a denotes an arithmetic control unit which, when the data erasing means 14 is operated, erases the column number, the number of remaining days and the remaining number determined by the determining means 12, and the product of the column corresponding to the remaining number of data erased. Carry out.

As described above, the determination means 11 is used in the first embodiment.
The second control device for the vending machine, which is configured by adding the display means 12 and the data erasing means 13, will be described. FIG. 6 is a flow chart of the arithmetic control unit 8a at the time of confirming the storage state and erasing data of the control device of the vending machine in the second embodiment of the present invention.

The storage state confirmation means 11 is operated (STE
(P32), when set to the storage state confirmation mode (ST
EP33), remaining number-of-days / remaining number storage unit 7 by the determination means 12
The column number, the remaining number of days, and the remaining number of the product having the few remaining days to be stored are determined by the value in the above, and the determination result is displayed on the display means 13 (STEP 34). Then, when the data erasing means 14 is operated (STEP 35), the products in the column displayed on the display means 13 are carried out by the remaining number (STEP 3).
6) The value stored in the remaining storage days / remaining number storage unit 7 displayed on the display unit 13 is deleted.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the storage state confirmation means 11 confirms the column and the remaining quantity of the product having the few remaining days to be stored, and when the value is erased by the data erasing means 14, it is automatically determined. Since the remaining number of products in the columns that have been physically deleted can be automatically carried out, the labor for managing the product warranty period can be omitted.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a control device for a vending machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7
In the above, reference numeral 15 is a sold-out detection means, which detects the presence or absence of a product for each column. Reference numeral 8b denotes an arithmetic control unit which erases the value in the remaining number storage unit 3 and the value in the remaining number of days to be stored / remaining number storage unit 7 for the column in which the sold-out detection unit 15 determines that the product is sold out.

The control device for the third vending machine constructed by adding the sold-out detecting means 15 to the first embodiment as described above will be explained. FIG. 8 is a flow chart of the arithmetic control unit 8b when the controller of the vending machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention is sold out.

The arithmetic control unit 8b confirms the presence or absence of the sold-out column by the sold-out detection means 15 (STEP 41).
When it is input that there is a sold-out column, the value in the sold-out column remaining number storage unit 3 is erased (STEP 42), and the value in the sold-out column remaining number of days / remaining number storage unit 7 is erased (STEP 43). Then, at the time of filling the product, the operation at the time of completion of the replenishment of the first embodiment is performed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, for the columns which are judged to be sold out by the sold-out detection means 15, the values in the remaining number of remaining columns storage section 3 and the remaining number of days to be stored / remaining number storage section are deleted. Therefore, when the product is replaced or an operation error is made, by removing all the products in the corresponding column, it is possible to omit the trouble of resetting for managing the warranty period of the product.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a control device for an automatic vending machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9
In, 16 is an alternate sales setting means, which is set when a plurality of columns are filled with the same product and the products in those columns are evenly sold. An alternate sale storage unit 17 stores the column group set by the alternate sale setting means 16.
Reference numeral 18 denotes a remaining day number searching means, which searches columns in the column group stored in the alternate sale storage unit 17 for which the number of remaining remaining days / the number of remaining days stored in the remaining number storage unit 7 is small. Reference numeral 8c denotes an arithmetic control unit which, when selling the products in the columns stored in the alternate sales storage unit 17, sells the products from the column with the fewest remaining days retrieved by the remaining days retrieval means 18.

As described above, the control device for the fourth vending machine according to the first embodiment is configured by adding the alternate sale setting means 16, the alternate sale storage section 17, and the remaining day number searching means 18 to the first embodiment. Portions different from the embodiment will be described. Figure 10
Is a flow chart of the arithmetic and control unit 8c at the time of alternate sale setting of the control device for the vending machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the arithmetic control unit 8c at the time of selling the control device for the vending machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

When a plurality of columns are filled with the same merchandise, in order to evenly sell the merchandise from each column, the column number filled with the same merchandise is input by the alternate sale setting means 16 (STEP 51), and the alternate sale is set. The column number input by the means 16 is stored in the alternate sale storage unit 17 (STEP 52). When the product is sold, it is determined whether the sales column is the column of the column group stored in the alternate sale storage unit 17 (STEP 61). Alternate sales storage unit 17
In the case of the column of the column group stored in, the process proceeds to STEP 62, and the remaining days searching means 18 stores the columns in the column group stored in the alternate sale storage unit 17 in the remaining remaining days / remaining number storage unit 7. The column with the fewest remaining days is searched and the column to be sold this time is decided (STEP6
3). Then, sell the products in the corresponding column (STEP
64). For example, the first to third columns are filled with the same product, and the first to third columns are set to be alternately sold (STEP
51).

Then, when the product is sold in any one of the columns 1 to 3 (STEP 61), the remaining days searching means 18 stores the remaining days remaining / remaining number storage section 7 for each column. The column with the fewest remaining days stored is searched (STEP 62). Here, if the minimum number of remaining storage days of No. 1 to No. 3 is the same, when selling any of the products of No. 1 to No. 3 columns, No. 1 column, No. 2 column, No. 3
The products are sold in the order of number column, column 1, ... column.

If the first column has the least number of remaining days to be stored and the remaining number is three, when selling any one of the first to third columns, up to three columns can be stored in the first column. Decide on a sales column to prioritize sales (STEP6
3). Then, after three columns 1 have been carried out, the next
When selling any of the products in the third column, go to STEP
The process of 62 is performed.

As described above, according to this embodiment, when the products in the alternate sales setting column are sold, the remaining days searching means 1 is used.
At 8, the column in the column group stored in the alternate sale storage unit 17 is searched for the column with the least number of remaining days stored in the remaining number of remaining days / remaining number storage unit 7, and the column to be sold this time is determined. , Since the column with the fewest days left is given priority in selling, it is possible to prevent the unsold items from being sold out.

[0037]

As described above, according to the present invention, the full number setting means for setting the full accommodation number of products for each column, and the full number storage section for respectively storing the values set by the full number setting means,
A remaining number storage unit that stores the remaining number of products for each column, a storage period setting unit that sets the storage period of the product for each column, a storage period storage unit that stores the value set by the storage period setting unit, and A timer means for counting the time, a calculation control unit including a remaining number of days to be stored for each column and a remaining number of remaining days for each remaining number of days of storage, and a remaining number storage unit, and a warning means for issuing an external warning, It consists of replenishment completion input means for inputting a signal when the product replenishment is completed, and every time the sales is performed by the arithmetic control section, the remaining number stored in the remaining number storage section of the corresponding column and the remaining number of remaining days / remaining number The oldest remaining number stored in the storage unit is subtracted, and when the day has passed, the remaining number of days to be saved / the remaining number of remaining days stored in the remaining number storage unit is subtracted and saved by the timer means. Saved in the number of remaining days / stored in the remaining number storage section If the number of days is less than a specified value and there is a remaining number, a signal is output to the warning means, and when a signal is input from the replenishment completion input means, the difference between the full number storage section and the remaining number storage section for each column By storing the value and the value stored in the storage period storage unit in the remaining number of days remaining / remaining number storage unit and the value in the full number storage unit in the remaining number storage unit, it is possible to accurately and easily across products. You can manage the warranty period of the product.

Further, in the above-mentioned configuration, there is a storage state confirmation means for confirming the value of the remaining number of days to be stored / remaining number storage section, and a determination means for determining the column having the smallest number of remaining days to be stored in the remaining number of storage days / remaining number storage section. , The column that was judged to have the fewest remaining days by the judgment means when the storage status confirmation means was operated
Display means for displaying the value of the remaining number storage section, data erasing means for erasing the value of the remaining storage days / remaining number storage section displayed on the display means, and display on the display means when the data erasing means is operated. It is possible to easily confirm the remaining number of columns with the least number of remaining days to store the product by configuring it with the operation control unit that carries out the remaining number of remaining days of the applicable column and the remaining number of products in the remaining number storage unit. In addition, when the value is deleted, the product can be automatically discharged, and even when the data is deleted, the labor for managing the warranty period of the product can be omitted.

Further, in the above configuration, the sold-out detection means for detecting the sold-out of the product for each column, and the value of the remaining number of days / remaining number storage section and the value of the remaining number storage section of the column for which the sold-out detection means has detected the sold-out are displayed. By configuring with the arithmetic control unit that erases, when the product is replaced or the operation is mistaken, all the products in the relevant column can be removed, so that the warranty period of the product can be managed accurately and easily, and the time required for resetting is reset. It can be omitted.

Further, in the above configuration, the alternate sale setting means for setting a plurality of columns in the same column, the alternate sale storage section for storing the column group set by the alternate sale setting means, and the alternate sale storage section are stored. Remaining days remaining in the selected columns / remaining days remaining number search method for searching columns with a few remaining days in the storage section, and remaining days searching method when selling products from the columns stored in the alternate sales storage section When the number of remaining days is small, the calculation control unit that prioritizes and sells the products in the searched column allows the same products to be filled in multiple columns, and even when the products in those columns are sold evenly, the number of remaining days to save Since the products in the columns with few columns are given priority, the unsold items due to out-of-storage can be prevented.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a control device for a vending machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a calculation control unit at the time of data setting and replenishment completion of the control device for the vending machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a calculation control unit at the time of selling a product of the control device for the vending machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an arithmetic control unit of the control device for a vending machine according to one embodiment of the present invention when one day has passed.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a control device for a vending machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a calculation control unit at the time of confirming the storage state and erasing data of the control device of the vending machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a control device for a vending machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a calculation control unit when a sold-out of a control device for a vending machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention occurs.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a control device for a vending machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of an arithmetic control unit at the time of alternate sale setting of the control device for the vending machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a calculation control unit at the time of selling products of the control device for the vending machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Full number setting means 2 Full number storage section 3 Remaining number storage section 4 Retention period setting means 5 Retention period storage section 6 Timer means 7 Remaining number of remaining days / remaining number storage section 8, 8a, 8b, 8c Calculation control section 9 Warning means 10 Supply Completion Input Means 11 Storage Status Confirmation Means 12 Judgment Means 13 Display Means 14 Data Erasing Means 15 Sold Out Detecting Means 16 Alternate Sales Setting Means 17 Alternate Sales Storage Units 18 Remaining Days Retrieval Means

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A column for storing and storing products by product,
A full number setting means for setting the full number of articles to be stored for each column, a full number storage section for storing the values set by the full number setting means, and a remaining number storage for storing the remaining number of articles for each column. Section, storage period setting means for setting the storage period of the product for each column, storage period storage section for storing the value set by the storage period setting means, timer means for counting elapsed time, and storage remaining for each column. An arithmetic control unit comprising a number of remaining days / remaining number storage unit for storing the number of remaining days for each number of remaining remaining days, and a warning means for issuing an alarm to the outside.
The calculation control unit is provided with a supply completion input means for inputting a signal when the product supply is completed, and the calculation control unit, whenever a sale is made, the remaining number stored in the remaining number storage unit of the corresponding column and the remaining number of remaining days / remaining number. The oldest remaining number stored in the storage unit is subtracted, and when the day has passed, all the remaining storage days stored in the storage remaining number / remaining number storage unit are subtracted by the timer means. If there is a remaining number of days remaining less than or equal to a predetermined value among the items stored in the remaining number of remaining days / remaining number storage unit, a signal is output to the warning means, and the replenishment completion inputting means is also provided. When a signal is input from the column, the difference value between the full number storage unit and the remaining number storage unit for each column, and the value stored in the storage period storage unit are stored in the remaining storage days / remaining number storage unit, The value stored in the full number storage unit is stored in the remaining number storage unit. The control device of the vending machine. 2. A storage state confirmation means for confirming the value of the remaining number of days to be stored / remaining number storage section, a determination means for determining a column having the least number of remaining days to be stored in the remaining number of storage days / remaining number storage section, and a storage. A column for which the determination means determines that the remaining number of days is the smallest when the state confirmation means is operated, a display means for displaying the value of the remaining storage days / remaining number storage section, and the display means for displaying the value. The arithmetic control unit is provided with data erasing means for erasing the value of the remaining number of days to be stored / remaining number storage section. The control device for the vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the remaining number of products in the number storage unit is carried out. 3. A sold-out detection unit for detecting the sold-out of products for each column, and the arithmetic control unit stores the value of the remaining number of days / remaining number storage unit and the remaining number of the column for which the sold-out detection unit detects the sold-out. The control device for the vending machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the value of the copy is erased. 4. An alternate sale setting means for setting a plurality of columns in the same column, an alternate sale storage section for storing a column group set by the alternate sale setting means, and an alternate sale storage section. Number of days left to save in selected columns
The remaining number storage unit is provided with a remaining number of days searching means for searching a column having a small number of remaining days, and the arithmetic control unit determines the number of remaining days when the item is sold from the columns stored in the alternate sale storing unit. The product in the column searched for when the number is small is preferentially sold, and the product according to claim 1 or 2 or 3.
Controller for the described vending machine.