JP4332664B2 - vending machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vending machine that collects sales data when a product is purchased using a terminal (electronic money).
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, the following methods are known as methods for purchasing products by using a contactless IC card as a terminal (electronic money) in a vending machine and holding the card over the vending machine.
[0003]
In other words, a sales start button is provided, and when the user presses the sales start button, the vending machine recognizes that it is sold by a non-contact IC card, and the vending machine can select a product at this point. As the sales indicator lamp is turned on.
[0004]
Here, when the user presses the product selection push button to select a product, and then holds the non-contact type IC card over the antenna unit of the vending machine, communication is performed by transmitting a radio wave for supplying power, After the selected product is settled, the product is carried out (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0005]
Further, as a method for summarizing product sales in a vending machine, a method is known in which sales are totaled by operating a closing switch in the vending machine, and this sales total is collected from a host (for example, see Patent Document 2). .)
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-167331 A [Patent Document 2]
JP 7-049979 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the conventional method, the sales summary of the product by the terminal (electronic money) and the sales summary of the entire vending machine are not necessarily synchronized, and the sales summary is performed at an independent timing. For example, if you forget one of the collections, the aggregate data in the center device will not match, and when you settle the payment for the terminal between the vending machine administrator side and the terminal administrator side, There was a problem that the inconvenience that the consistency of sales time could not be taken.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine that can easily achieve consistency between sales aggregation by a terminal and sales aggregation of the entire vending machine. .
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems, the vending machine according to the present invention is achieved by the following means.
(1) Communication means for transmitting / receiving data to / from a terminal so that a product can be purchased by the terminal, a vending machine control section for controlling the selling operation of the vending machine, and between the vending machine control section and the communication means In the vending machine comprising a communication control unit for processing various data in the first vending machine, a first storage means for storing the sales information of the product in the vending machine, and a second storage for storing the sales information of the product by the terminal Storage means, a printer for printing the sales information of the product, and an activation means for instructing the closing processing of the sales for the period of the sales information of the product stored in the first storage means and instructing the printing to the printer When the periodical sales printing by the printer is completed by the operation of the activation means, the vending machine control unit transmits the settlement time data to the communication control unit, and the settlement unit sets the settlement time data. And a center device connected to the communication control unit via the communication means, and a means for closing the period sales of the product sales information stored in the second storage means. The communication control unit transmits period sales and settlement time data by the terminal to the center device, and transmits a transmission result to the center device to the vending machine control unit. In the vending machine control unit, the transmission result is transmitted by the printer. It is characterized by printing.
(2) In the configuration described in (1), the period sales and settlement time data by the terminal transmitted to the center device are printed by a printer.
(3) In the configuration described in (1) or (2), the period sales data in the first storage unit is cleared based on the end of printing of period sales by the tightening process.
(4) In the configuration according to any one of (1) to (3), the communication control unit transmits the sales information and settlement time data of the product by the terminal to the center device, and when the transmission ends normally, the transmission result Is printed by a printer, and the data in the first storage means is cleared.
(5) In the configuration according to any one of (1) to (4), when the activation unit is operated, the center device is requested to synchronize time before the tightening process, and the current time data is controlled from the center device. The current time is set by transmitting to the sales department and the vending machine control section.
(6) In the configuration according to any one of (1) to (5), the current time of the vending machine is printed before the period sales and settlement time data transmitted by the terminal transmitted to the center device are printed by the printer. It is characterized by that.
(7) In the configuration according to any one of (1) to (6), when the communication control unit transmits a print request to the printer, printing is performed when the vending machine is operating. A retry operation is performed in the communication control unit without performing the above operation.
(8) The configuration according to any one of (1) to (7), further comprising: a second activation unit that instructs the printer to print the cumulative sales of the vending machine.
(9) In the configuration described in (8), when printing of cumulative sales is instructed by the second activation unit, the second storage unit is tightened, and the sales data in the first storage unit is processed. Is characterized by not clearing.
(10) In the configuration described in any one of (1) to (9), the printer and the activation unit are provided in at least one of the vending machine control unit and the communication control unit.
(11) The configuration according to any one of (1) to (10), further including a display unit or a portable information terminal, and a transmission unit that transmits sales information to the display unit or the portable information terminal. Features.
(12) In the configuration according to any one of (1) to (11), the closing process of the vending machine control unit is performed when the closing process of the communication control unit ends normally.
(13) In the configuration described in (12), the closing process of the vending machine control unit is printing of period sales.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
1 to 26 show the configuration of the embodiment of the present invention, which will be described below.
[0011]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a control device for a vending machine according to the present invention, and FIG. 25 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of the front surface of the vending machine.
[0012]
In FIG. 1 and FIG. 25, 1 is a vending machine main control unit having a storage unit 1a and a clock 1b, and 2 is a product selection button 2A, a sellable lamp 2B, and an amount for each product. A customer service unit 3 including a display 2C, a return lever 2D, etc. 3 is a customer service unit provided at the front of the vending machine for communication (settlement) with the non-contact terminal 5, and 4 is a customer service unit 3 and the main unit. A communication control unit which is provided between the control unit 1 and controls the customer communication unit 3 and has a storage unit 4a and a clock 4b; 6 is a terminal service unit provided with a terminal receivable lamp 6A, an operation switch 6B, etc. As shown in FIG. 3, 7 is connected to the vending machine bus line 1c by a connector (not shown), for example, a period sales clear print tightening start switch 7a, a period sales (cumulative) print switch 7b, and a period sales clear print. A printer having a start switch 7c, a paper feed switch 7d, etc., 8 is a communication terminal connected to the communication control unit 4 via, for example, RS232C, 9 is a tightening start switch connected to the communication control unit, and 10 is connected to the communication terminal online. Is the center to be played.
[0013]
Note that the non-contact type terminal 5 as electronic money is pre-filled with an amount of money, and the terminal system may be various devices such as an IC card, IC tag, mobile phone, PDA, etc. The customer communication section 3 is configured so that the communication method with the terminal 3 can be handled according to the terminal used, such as radio waves (electromagnetic induction method, etc.), wireless connection (such as wireless) such as Bluetooth, IrDA (infrared communication).
[0014]
Further, on the front face of the vending machine 100, the product selection button 2A serving as the customer service unit 2, the saleable lamp 2B, the price indicator 2C, the return lever 2D, the terminal accepting lamp 6A serving as the terminal customer service unit 6, and an operation switch In addition to 6B, a money insertion slot 11, a product sample display section 12, a product outlet 13, a money return slot 14 and the like are provided, and it goes without saying that goods can be purchased in cash. 14 may be omitted and a dedicated machine for a non-contact terminal may be used.
[0015]
In this configuration, an example of purchasing a product at a non-contact type terminal will be described with reference to a communication procedure between the non-contact type terminal and the vending machine shown in FIG.
[0016]
In addition, as a precondition for this communication, the customer communication unit 3 is in a state where it can always accept the non-contact terminal 5 even in a standby state.
[0017]
When the product selection button 2A is pressed while the terminal acceptance lamp 6A is lit in the sales standby state, the selected column and the withdrawal amount are transmitted to the communication control unit 4, and the communication control unit 4 receives the customer service. The vending machine main control unit 1 of the vending machine 100 blinks the sellable lamp 2B for only the selected product and displays the amount on the amount indicator 2C. The communication control unit 4 blinks the terminal acceptance lamp 6A.
[0018]
Here, when the non-contact type terminal 5 is held over the customer communication unit 3, the customer communication unit 3 performs detection, authentication, and reading of the balance of the non-contact type terminal 5 and the balance of the non-contact type terminal 5. On the other hand, the withdrawal amount is settled. When the actual settlement is performed normally, the customer communication unit 3 transmits the fact that the normal settlement has been performed to the communication control unit 4, and the communication control unit 4 sends the settlement result, the sales request, and the old transaction to the vending machine main control unit 1. A balance, a balance after settlement, a balance display request, etc. are transmitted, and after confirming normal settlement in the vending machine main control unit 1, the product is carried out together with the balance display, and a series of sales operations is terminated. Become.
[0019]
At this time, the storage unit 4a of the communication control unit 4 stores the user ID, the purchase date and time, the amount of money, and the like, and the storage unit 1a of the main control unit 1 stores information on the sold products.
[0020]
Next, the purchase with cash is well known, and the information on the sold products is stored in the storage unit 1a of the main control unit 1.
[0021]
Next, FIGS. 3 to 24 show various examples of the sales closing process, which will be described in order.
[0022]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a first period sales closing process procedure. As shown in FIG. 3, a period sales clear printing tightening start switch, which is a sales data closing operation on the vending machine 100 side, is performed as shown in FIG. When 7a is operated (step S1), as is apparent from the figure showing the printed contents of the period sales in FIG. 18, the date and time from the previous closing date to the current closing date is first printed by the printer 7, and then For example, when period sales data for each column is printed and all period sales data is printed, “(DATA CLEAR)” indicated by the symbol (a) is printed at the end (step S2), and the printed period sales are displayed. The data is cleared from the storage unit 1a of the vending machine main control unit 1 (step S3), and as shown in the figure showing the vending machine settlement data in FIG. De Vending machine settlement data as settlement time data consisting of data is transmitted (step S4).
[0023]
The communication control unit 4 can recognize that the vending machine 100 has settled by receiving the vending machine settlement data, and the non-contact type terminal 5 performs the closing process of the period sales data as shown in FIG. As is clear from the figure showing the sales details, the settlement time data as the closing date is exchanged after the sales data such as the user ID and the purchase date and time stored in the storage unit 4a. The time data from the clock 4b on the control unit 4 side and the settlement data transmitted from the vending machine side are stored together (step S5).
[0024]
In the example of FIG. 3, the tightening process is started by the start switch 7a provided in the printer 7 of the vending machine 100. However, the tightening start switch 9 may be provided in the communication control unit 4 as shown in FIG. Well, in this case, when the tightening start switch 9 is operated (S101), as shown in the diagram showing the second period sales closing processing procedure shown in FIG. It detects and transmits to the vending machine main control part 1 that the tightening start switch 9 was detected (step S102). The subsequent processing operation is the same tightening process as in FIG. 3 (see steps S2 to S5), and the description thereof is omitted.
[0025]
Next, in the above-described embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, it has not been defined how to output the result of closing the period sales data by the non-contact type terminal 5 in the communication control unit 4. A communication procedure for transmitting the closing process of the communication control unit 4 to the center 10 which is the higher-level equipment using the communication means will be described.
[0026]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a third period sales closing process procedure. As shown in FIG. 5, a period sales clear print tightening start switch which is a sales data closing operation on the vending machine 100 side when performing sales aggregation. When 7a is operated (step S1), as is apparent from the figure showing the printed contents of the period sales in FIG. 18, the date and time from the previous closing date to the current closing date is first printed by the printer 7, and then For example, when period sales data for each column is printed and all period sales data is printed, “(DATA CLEAR)” is printed at the end (step S2), and the vending machine main control is performed on the printed period sales data. Clearing from the storage unit 1a of the unit 1 (step S3), the vending machine main control unit 1 side sends a communication control unit 4 to the communication control unit 4 as shown in FIG. Vending machine settlement data as computation time data is transmitted (step S4).
[0027]
The communication control unit 4 can recognize that the vending machine 100 has settled by receiving the vending machine settlement data, and the non-contact type terminal 5 performs the closing process of the period sales data as shown in FIG. As is clear from the figure showing the sales details, following the sales data such as the individual user ID, purchase date and time, and the amount of money stored in the storage unit 4a, as the closing date and time, the communication control unit 4 side The time data from the clock 4b and the settlement data transmitted from the vending machine side are stored together (step S5).
[0028]
Here, the communication control unit 4 transmits the period sales data and the settlement time data from the communication terminal 8 to the center 10 by the terminal calling method (step S6), and if the data transmission ends normally (step S7). Then, the communication control unit 4 transmits a successful tightening result to the vending machine control unit 1 (step S8), and the vending machine main control unit 1 indicates the print contents of the communication result shown in FIG. As is apparent from the figure, “Shimeko OK” and the terminal information of the communication control unit 4 are printed, and the process is terminated (step S9).
[0029]
In the example of FIG. 5, the tightening process is started by the start switch 7a provided in the printer 7 of the vending machine. However, the tightening start switch 9 may be provided in the communication control unit 4 as shown in FIG. In this case, as shown in the diagram showing the fourth period sales closing process procedure shown in FIG. 6, when the closing start switch 9 is operated (step S <b> 101), the communication control unit 4 indicates that it has been operated. It detects and transmits to the vending machine main control part 1 that it detected operation of the tightening start switch 9 (step S102). The subsequent processing operation is the same tightening process as in FIG. 5 (steps S2 to S9), and the description is omitted.
[0030]
Next, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a processing procedure for closing sales in the fifth period. As shown in FIG. 7, the data is collected from the center 10 and the center is activated regardless of the start-up of the vending machine 100. Data collection is performed at a predetermined interval from the 10 side to the communication control unit 4.
[0031]
First, the fifth period sales closing process is the same as the third period sales closing process shown in FIG. When the print tightening start switch 7a is operated (step S1), as is apparent from the figure showing the print contents of the period sales in FIG. 18, the date and time from the previous tightening date to the current closing date is printed by the printer 7 first. Next, for example, when period sales data for each column is printed and all period sales data is printed, “(DATA CLEAR)” is printed (step S2), and the printed period sales data is used as the vending machine owner. Clear from the storage unit 1a of the control unit 1 (step S3), and from the vending machine main control unit 1 side to the communication control unit 4, from the data of 8 bytes as apparent from the vending machine settlement data of FIG. Vending machine settlement data as settlement time data is transmitted (step S4).
[0032]
The communication control unit 4 can recognize that the vending machine 100 has settled by receiving the vending machine settlement data, and the non-contact type terminal 5 performs the closing process of the period sales data as shown in FIG. As is clear from the figure showing the sales details, following the sales data such as the individual user ID, purchase date and time, and the amount of money stored in the storage unit 4a, as the closing date and time, the communication control unit 4 side The time data from the clock 4b and the settlement data transmitted from the vending machine side are stored together (step S5).
[0033]
Next, in the communication control unit 4, if there is a product sale by the non-contact type terminal 5, the user ID, the purchase date / time and the money amount are sequentially stored after the previous settlement time data is stored. When the data request is transmitted from the center 10 side (step S103), the communication control unit 4 transmits the data from the previous transmission to the data before the data request to the center 10 (step S6a).
[0034]
Here, if the closing data is included in the sales data collected at the center 10 and the data transmission is completed normally (step S7a), the closing result is sent from the communication control unit 4 to the vending machine control unit 1. As shown in FIG. 20, the vending machine main control unit 1 performs communication control with “Shimekoshin OK”, as is clear from the diagram showing the print contents of the communication result in FIG. The terminal information of the unit 4 is printed, and the process is terminated (step S9).
[0035]
If there is no closing time adjustment data for data transmission, the closing result is not printed.
[0036]
In this way, since the process of FIG. 7 is a method of collecting data from the center side, data collection is performed regardless of the closing settlement time, and automatic processing is performed between the previous closing settlement time and the current closing settlement time. Consistency with the period sales data of the vending machine can be achieved, and the operator should be able to print from the printer 7 when the closing result is successful without being aware of whether the closing communication is normal or not. You can check at the next visit.
[0037]
In the example of FIG. 7, the tightening process is started by the center collection method and the start switch 7a provided in the printer 7 of the vending machine. However, as shown in FIG. 9 may be provided. In this case, when the tightening start switch 9 is operated (step S101) as shown in the diagram showing the sixth period sales closing processing procedure shown in FIG. Is detected by the communication control unit 4, and the fact that the closing activation switch 9 has been detected is transmitted to the vending machine main control unit 1 (step S102). The subsequent processing operation is the same tightening process as in FIG. 7 (steps S2 to S9, S103), and the description thereof is omitted.
[0038]
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a seventh period sales closing process procedure. As shown in FIG. 9, a period sales clear print tightening start switch which is a sales data closing operation on the vending machine 100 side when performing sales aggregation. When 7a is operated (step S1), as is apparent from the figure showing the printed contents of the period sales in FIG. 18, the date and time from the previous closing date to the current closing date is first printed by the printer 7, and then For example, when the period sales data for each column is printed and all period sales data is printed (step S2a), the vending machine main control unit 1 side sends the communication control unit 4 to the vending machine settlement data in FIG. As is apparent, vending machine settlement data as settlement time data consisting of 8 bytes of data is transmitted (step S4).
[0039]
The communication control unit 4 can recognize that the vending machine 100 has settled by receiving the vending machine settlement data, and the non-contact type terminal 5 performs the closing process of the period sales data as shown in FIG. As is clear from the figure showing the sales details, following the sales data such as the individual user ID, purchase date and time, and the amount of money stored in the storage unit 4a, as the closing date and time, the communication control unit 4 side The time data from the clock 4b and the settlement data transmitted from the vending machine side are stored together (step S5).
[0040]
Here, the communication control unit 4 transmits the period sales data and the settlement time data from the communication terminal 8 to the center 10 by the terminal calling method (step S6), and if the data transmission ends normally (step S7). Then, the communication control unit 4 transmits a successful tightening result to the vending machine control unit 1 (step S8), and the vending machine main control unit 1 sends “(data) to the printer 7 as shown in FIG. "Clear)" is printed, and the sales data for the period printed for the first time at the time of successful transmission of the tightening process is cleared (step S3a), and as is clear from the print contents of the communication result in FIG. “OK” and the terminal information of the communication control unit 4 are printed, and the process is terminated (step S9).
[0041]
As described above, in the seventh period sales closing process, the content of the storage unit 1a is not cleared until the closing process is successfully transmitted on the assumption that the transmission of the closing process cannot be transmitted due to communication abnormality. It is what you want to do.
[0042]
In the example of FIG. 9, the tightening process is started by the start switch 7a provided in the printer 7 of the vending machine. However, the tightening start switch 9 may be provided in the communication control unit 4 as shown in FIG. In this case, as shown in the figure showing the eighth period sales closing process procedure shown in FIG. 10, when the closing start switch 9 is operated (step S101), the communication control unit 4 indicates that it has been operated. It detects and transmits to the vending machine main control part 1 that the tightening start switch 9 was detected (step S102). The subsequent processing operation is the same tightening process as in FIG. 9 (S2a to S9), and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0043]
9 and 10, the center collection method shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 can be considered. However, in this case, there is a problem at the time of clearing the data in the storage unit 1a. It is necessary to match the timing with the timing of the closing process in the vending machine.
[0044]
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a ninth period sales closing process procedure. As shown in FIG. 11, compared to the seventh period sales closing process procedure shown in FIG. It has been added.
[0045]
That is, when performing sales aggregation, sales data tightening operation on the vending machine 100 side When performing sales aggregation, the period sales clear printing tightening start switch 7a, which is a sales data tightening operation on the vending machine 100 side, is operated. (Step S1), a time synchronization request is transmitted from the vending machine main control unit 1 to the communication control unit 4 (Step S104). Upon receiving the time synchronization request from the vending machine, the communication control unit 4 A time synchronization request is transmitted from 8 to the center 10 (step S105). Upon receiving this time synchronization request, the center 10 transmits the current time data to the communication control unit 4 (step S106), and the communication control unit 4 that has received the current time data transmits the current time to the vending machine main control unit 1. (Step S107). Here, the communication control unit 4 and the vending machine main control unit 1 set the received current time data in the built-in clock 4b and clock 1b, respectively, so that the adjusted time can be easily adjusted, and the vending machine main control unit 1 Then, when the setting of the current time data is completed, as is apparent from the figure showing the print contents of the period sales in FIG. 18, the printer 7 first prints the date and time from the previous closing date and time to the current closing date and time. For example, when period sales data for each column is printed, and all period sales data is printed (step S2a), the vending machine settlement data of FIG. 17 is sent from the vending machine main control unit 1 side to the communication control unit 4. As is apparent from the drawing, vending machine settlement data as settlement time data consisting of 8 bytes of data is transmitted (step S4).
[0046]
The communication control unit 4 can recognize that the vending machine 100 has settled by receiving the vending machine settlement data, and the non-contact type terminal 5 performs the closing process of the period sales data as shown in FIG. As is clear from the figure showing the sales details, following the sales data such as the individual user ID, purchase date and time, and the amount of money stored in the storage unit 4a, as the closing date and time, the communication control unit 4 side The time data from the clock 4b and the settlement data transmitted from the vending machine side are stored together (step S5).
[0047]
Here, the communication control unit 4 transmits the period sales data and the settlement time data from the communication terminal 7 to the center 10 by the terminal calling method (step S6), and if the data transmission ends normally (step S7). Then, the communication control unit 4 transmits a successful tightening result to the vending machine control unit 1 (step S8), and the vending machine main control unit 1 sends “(data) to the printer 7 as shown in FIG. "Clear)" is printed, and the sales data for the period printed for the first time at the time of successful transmission of the tightening process is cleared (step S3a), and as is clear from the print contents of the communication result in FIG. “OK” and the terminal information of the communication control unit 4 are printed, and the process is terminated (step S9).
[0048]
In the example of FIG. 11, the tightening process is started by the start switch 7a provided in the printer 7 of the vending machine. However, the tightening start switch 9 may be provided in the communication control unit 4 as shown in FIG. In this case, as shown in the figure showing the tenth period sales closing process procedure shown in FIG. 12, when the closing start switch 9 is operated (step S101), the communication control unit 4 indicates that the operation has been performed. Then, the communication control unit 4 transmits a time synchronization request from the communication terminal 8 to the center 10 (step S105a). Upon receiving this time synchronization request, the center 10 transmits the current time data to the communication control unit 4 (step S106), and the communication control unit 4 that has received the current time data transmits the current time to the vending machine main control unit 1. At the same time (step S107), the fact that the closing activation switch 9 has been detected is transmitted to the vending machine main control unit 1 (step S102a). Here, the communication control unit 4 and the vending machine main control unit 1 set the received current time data in the built-in clock 4b and clock 1b, respectively, so that the adjusted time can be easily adjusted, and the vending machine main control unit 1 Then, the setting of the current time data is completed. The subsequent processing operation is the same tightening process as in FIG. 11 (steps S2a to S9), and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0049]
Next, FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an eleventh period sales closing process, which is a modification of the closing process by the center collection of FIG. 7. 4 to send. Thus, when the data from the center is required, the current time is always adjusted, and the current time data with the center 10, the communication control unit 4, and the vending machine main control unit 1 is periodically synchronized.
[0050]
First, when the period sales clear print tightening start switch 7a, which is the sales data tightening operation on the vending machine 100 side, is operated (step S1), as is apparent from the figure showing the contents of the period sales printing in FIG. 7, the date and time from the previous closing date to the current closing date and time are printed, and then, for example, period sales data for each column is printed, and when all period sales data is printed, “(DATA CLEAR)” is displayed. 17 is printed (step S2), and the printed sales data for the period is cleared from the storage unit 1a of the vending machine main control unit 1 (step S3). As is apparent from the figure showing the vending machine settlement data, vending machine settlement data is transmitted as settlement time data consisting of 8 bytes of data (step S4).
[0051]
The communication control unit 4 can recognize that the vending machine 100 has settled by receiving the vending machine settlement data, and the non-contact type terminal 5 performs the closing process of the period sales data as shown in FIG. As is clear from the figure showing the sales details, following the sales data such as the individual user ID, purchase date and time, and the amount of money stored in the storage unit 4a, as the closing date and time, the communication control unit 4 side The time data from the clock 4b and the settlement data transmitted from the vending machine side are stored together (step S5).
[0052]
Next, if there is a product sale by the non-contact type terminal 5, the communication control unit 4 stores the user ID, the purchase date and time, and the amount of money following the storage of the previous settlement time data.
[0053]
On the other hand, when the predetermined time comes, the center 10 transmits the current time data to the communication control unit 4 together with the data request (step S103) (step S106a). The communication control unit 4 that has received the current time data transmits the current time to the vending machine main control unit 1 (step S107a). Here, the communication control unit 4 and the vending machine main control unit 1 set the received current time data in the built-in clock 4b and clock 1b, respectively. The communication control unit 4 transmits data from the data transmitted last time to the current data request to the center 10 (step S6a).
[0054]
Next, if this data collected at the center 10 includes the closing settlement time data and the data transmission ends normally (step S7a), the closing result is successful from the communication control unit 4 to the vending machine control unit 1. The vending machine main control unit 1 transmits the information to the printer 7 and, as is apparent from the diagram showing the print contents of the communication result in FIG. 20, the vending machine main control unit 1 and the communication control unit 4 The terminal information is printed and the process is terminated (step S9).
[0055]
If there is no closing time adjustment data for data transmission, the closing result is not printed.
[0056]
In the example of FIG. 13, the tightening process is started by the start switch 7a provided in the center collection method and the current time synchronization method and provided in the printer 7 of the vending machine. However, as shown in FIG. The controller 4 may be provided with a tightening start switch 9, and in this case, when the tightening start switch 9 is operated as shown in FIG. In step S101, the communication control unit 4 detects that the operation has been performed, and transmits to the vending machine main control unit 1 that the tightening activation switch 9 has been detected (S102). The subsequent processing operation is the same tightening process as in FIG. 13 (S2 to S9, S103, S106a), and the description thereof is omitted.
[0057]
The time synchronization method can also be applied to the data clear method before sending the period sales data to the center 10 by the terminal call method shown in FIGS.
[0058]
Next, FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 are for explaining the printing when the tightening transmission is abnormal, and each will be briefly described.
[0059]
First, FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a processing procedure relating to an abnormal tightening transmission, and shows a case where the transmission of the third period sales closing process shown in FIG. 5 is abnormal.
[0060]
That is, as in the third period sales closing process, when data is transmitted from the communication control unit 4 to the center 10 (step S6), if the communication ends abnormally with respect to the process of FIG. 5 (step S7b), the communication is performed. The fact that the fastening result was unsuccessful is transmitted from the control unit 4 to the vending machine control unit 1 (step S8b), and the vending machine main control unit 1 causes the printer 7 to print, for example, “Shimekoshin NG” and terminal information. The process is terminated (step S9a).
[0061]
Next, FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating another example of a processing procedure related to abnormal tightening transmission, and FIG. 7 illustrates a case where the transmission of the fifth period sales closing process is abnormal.
[0062]
That is, as in the fifth period sales closing process, in response to a data request from the center 10 (step S103), an abnormality occurs when data is transmitted from the communication control unit 4 to the center 10 with respect to the process of FIG. When the process is completed (step S7b), the communication control unit 4 transmits a failure result to the vending machine control unit 1 (step S8c), and the vending machine main control unit 1 sends, for example, “Shimekoshin NG” to the printer 7. "And the terminal information are printed, and the process is terminated (step S9a).
[0063]
Here, when the fastening result is unsuccessful, retry may be performed, or the reason why the failure has occurred may be printed following the printing of “Shimeko NG” and the terminal information.
[0064]
In addition, although FIG.15, FIG.16 also demonstrated the fastening result failure using FIG.15, FIG.16 based on the case of FIG.5, FIG.7 as a representative example, the same process is also performed in other fastening processing procedures. Can be done.
[0065]
Next, FIGS. 21 to 24 show modified examples of the tightening process.
[0066]
First, as shown in the block diagram of FIG. 24, a handy terminal (H / T) 111 is connected to the vending machine main control unit 1 via an adapter 112 in addition to the block diagram of FIG. Instead, the sales information is transmitted to the handy terminal 111, and this process will be described with reference to the thirteenth period sales closing procedure shown in FIG.
[0067]
First, when performing sales aggregation, if the start switch of the handy terminal 111 is operated (step S201), a sales data request and a clear instruction are transmitted to the vending machine side (step S202). The vending machine 100 side transmits the period sales data to the handy terminal 111 based on a request from the handy terminal 111 (step S203). When the transmission to the handy terminal 111 is completed, the transmitted period sales data is used as the vending machine. Cleared from the storage unit 1a of the main control unit 1 (step S3), the vending machine main control unit 1 side communicates with the communication control unit 4 as shown in FIG. Vending machine settlement data as settlement time data is transmitted (step S4).
[0068]
The communication control unit 4 can recognize that the vending machine 100 has settled by receiving the vending machine settlement data, and the non-contact type terminal 5 performs the closing process of the period sales data as shown in FIG. As is clear from the figure showing the sales details, following the sales data such as the individual user ID, purchase date and time, and the amount of money stored in the storage unit 4a, as the closing date and time, the communication control unit 4 side The time data from the clock 4b and the settlement data transmitted from the vending machine side are stored together (step S5).
[0069]
The transmission of the data subjected to the tightening process can be applied to the system shown in FIGS. 5 to 16, and is transmitted to the center by the terminal call system or the center collection system.
[0070]
Here, a handy terminal is adopted in place of the printer 7, but the period sales data of the vending machine may be transmitted to a display device such as an LCD, and the sales data can be received in this way. Various methods can be applied.
[0071]
Next, FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a 14th cumulative sales closing process procedure, and shows an example in which the closing process is performed by printing the cumulative sales instead of the period sales as the sales of the vending machine.
[0072]
As shown in FIG. 22, when total sales are totaled, if the period sales (total) printing switch 7b of the printer 7 on the vending machine 100 side is operated (step S301), printing of the total sales is selected. (Step S302, YES), when the total sales data is printed by the printer 7 and all the sales data is printed, the vending machine settlement data shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, vending machine settlement data as settlement time data consisting of 8 bytes of data is transmitted (step S4).
[0073]
The communication control unit 4 can recognize that the vending machine 100 has settled by receiving the vending machine settlement data, and the non-contact type terminal 5 performs the closing process of the period sales data as shown in FIG. As is clear from the figure showing the sales details, the settlement time data as the closing date is exchanged after the sales data such as the user ID and the purchase date and time stored in the storage unit 4a. The time data from the clock 4b on the control unit 4 side and the settlement data transmitted from the vending machine side are stored together (step S5).
[0074]
As described above, when the closing process based on the period sales (cumulative) print switch 7b is selected, the sales data of the vending machine is not cleared.
[0075]
Also, the period sales (cumulative) print switch 7b and the period sales clear print tightening start switch 7a can be used together. When the switch 7a is used, the data is cleared, and when the switch 7b is operated, the data is cleared. do not do.
[0076]
The transmission of the data subjected to the tightening process can be applied to the method shown in FIGS. 5 to 16, and is transmitted to the center by the terminal call method or the center collection method.
[0077]
Next, FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a fifteenth period sales closing process procedure, which preferentially performs the period sales data closing process by the non-contact type terminal 5.
[0078]
As shown in FIG. 23, when the period sales clear print tightening start switch 7a, which is the sales data tightening operation on the vending machine 100 side, is operated (step S1), the operation time of the start switch 7a is communicated as the vending machine settlement data. It transmits to the control part 4 (step S4a).
[0079]
The communication control unit 4 receives the vending machine settlement data, and assumes that the vending machine 100 has settled the payment. As is clear from the figure showing the details, the clock 4b on the communication control unit 4 side is used as the closing date and time after the sales data such as the user ID and the purchase date and time stored in the storage unit 4a. Is stored together with the settlement data transmitted from the vending machine side (step S5).
[0080]
Here, the communication control unit 4 transmits the period sales data and the settlement time data from the communication terminal 8 to the center 10 by the terminal calling method (step S6), and if the data transmission ends normally (step S7). Then, the fact that the tightening result was successful is transmitted from the communication control unit 4 to the vending machine control unit 1 (step S8).
[0081]
Next, the vending machine main control unit 1 causes the printer 7 to print “Shimekoshin OK” and the terminal information of the communication control unit 4 (step S9b), and thereafter, from the previous closing date and time to the current closing date and time. The date and time are printed, then, for example, the period sales data for each column is printed, and when all the period sales data is printed, "(DATA CLEAR)" is printed at the end (step S2b). The period sales data is cleared from the storage unit 1a of the vending machine main control unit 1 (step S3b), and the process ends.
[0082]
Thus, in this embodiment, unless the closing process of the communication control unit 4 is normally terminated with the center 10, the closing process of the sales data on the vending machine side is not performed. Can be done.
[0083]
If the tightening process is abnormal, “Shimeko NG” and terminal information are printed in the same manner as the abnormal processes in FIGS. 15 and 16.
[0084]
In FIG. 23, the start switch 7a is used. However, the operation is not limited to the operation of the switch 7a, and the switch 7b, the start switch 9 of the communication control unit 4, or the start switch of the handy terminal may be used. In the above example, only the data request is issued from the center 10, but the tightening activation may be performed by the center 10.
[0085]
Next, in each of the above-described embodiments, the period sales data of the non-contact type terminal 5 stored in the storage unit 4a of the communication control unit 4 is merely transmitted to the center 10, but FIG. As shown in the figure, a diagram showing a processing procedure of a configuration in which the period sales data of the non-contact type terminal 5 stored in the storage unit 4a of the communication control unit 4 can be printed by the printer 7 on the vending machine side is used. The process will be described.
[0086]
In this figure, the processing procedure until the print request is transmitted to the printer 7 is not described because the above-described embodiments can be considered, and only the corresponding processing procedure will be described here.
[0087]
That is, in FIG. 27, the period sales data from the terminal is transmitted from the communication control unit 4 to the center 10, and when the closing communication is normally completed, the communication control unit 4 does not contact the printer of the vending machine with a non-contact type. A request for printing data related to sales by the terminal 5 is transmitted.
[0088]
Here, the print content is, for example, the print content shown in FIG. 29 and includes, but is not limited to, the time data of the vending machine, the vending machine ID, and the sales by the terminal.
[0089]
Note that the time data of the vending machine is printed when the time synchronization is not performed, it is easy to understand the time lag between the vending machine side and the communication control unit side.
[0090]
Next, when the printing request is sent from the communication control unit 4 to the vending machine main control unit 1 of the vending machine, if the vending machine side is selling or printing, it is requested as shown in FIG. In addition, a busy or in-sale signal is transmitted to the communication control unit 4 as a signal indicating that printing cannot be performed. Here, the communication control unit 4 transmits the print request to the vending machine main control unit 1 of the vending machine again at a predetermined interval.
[0091]
In this way, when the vending machine cannot respond to the print request from the communication control unit 4, the retry is performed, and the number of retries can be set as appropriate.
[0092]
If the vending machine is already printing, it may be divided and sent due to the large amount of data. If it is being sold, the communication with the center is completed normally and printing is possible. It is possible that the vending machine is already in a state where it can be sold at the time of request transmission.
[0093]
Next, regardless of the fastening process, it is possible to print the data of the communication control unit. When a print request is transmitted from the communication control unit to the vending machine as shown in FIG. 30, for example, as shown in FIG. As described above, the time data of the vending machine, the vending machine ID, the terminal number, the previous closing time, and the like are printed, but the present invention is not limited to this.
[0094]
In addition, the example of the printer provided on the vending machine side has been described, but if it is not installed on the vending machine side, it may be provided on the communication control unit side. A worker may carry a terminal or the like so that a vending machine that does not include a printer may be used.
[0095]
As described above, the printer and the tightening start switch may be provided on one or both of the vending machine side or the communication control unit side. When the handy terminal is used, the display unit or the printer is included in the handy terminal. The sales data may be confirmed.
[0096]
Furthermore, in the processing method of clearing data before closing communication, it is deleted from the normal sales data storage area, but the printed period sales data is stored in another storage area until the next closing start, Only printing may be possible by operating the re-period sales clear print activation switch 7c.
[0097]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Communication means for transmitting / receiving data to / from a terminal so that a product can be purchased by the terminal, a vending machine control section for controlling the selling operation of the vending machine, and between the vending machine control section and the communication means In the vending machine provided with a communication control unit for processing various data, a first storage means for storing product sales information, a second storage means for storing product sales information by the terminal, and a product A printer for printing the sales information of the product, instructing the closing process of the period sales of the sales information of the product, starting means for instructing printing to the printer, and when the printing of the period sales by the operation of the starting means is completed by the printer The vending machine control unit transmits the settlement data to the communication control unit, and the settlement data is transmitted by the transmission unit, so that the merchandise sales information stored in the second storage unit By providing a means for performing the tightening process between sales, by vending machines and sales totalization of the terminal are synchronized, there is no forgetting to fasten, sales verification can be reliably performed.
(2) By sending the sales summary of the terminal to the center, the printed content printed by the vending machine at the center can be collated with the sales summary of the terminal collected at the center side, so that the sales can be more reliably verified.
(3) Since the transmission result to the center can be printed on the vending machine side, the transmission result can be easily determined, and when a transmission abnormality occurs, it is possible to detect a defective part based on the printing result.
(4) After the sales of the terminal are transmitted to the center, the tightening process can be reliably performed by closing the sales on the vending machine side or clearing the data.
(5) When performing sales aggregation, the time on the vending machine side and the center side are synchronized, so that collation can be reliably performed without causing a shift in the aggregation time.
(6) Since the sales information of the terminal can be printed, the printer can be shared, and the printed contents can be freely changed regardless of the vending machine.
[0098]
In addition, since the printing request can be retried, printing can be reliably performed even when the vending machine is in use or on sale.
[0099]
Moreover, by printing the time data of the vending machine before printing the sales information of the terminal, it is possible to check the time difference between the vending machine side and the communication control unit side without performing time synchronization.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a control device for a vending machine according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer employed in the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a first period sales closing process procedure according to the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a second period sales closing process procedure according to the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a third period sales closing process procedure according to the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a fourth period sales closing process procedure according to the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a fifth period sales closing process procedure according to the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a sixth period sales closing process procedure according to the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a seventh period sales closing process procedure according to the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an eighth period sales closing process procedure according to the present invention;
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a ninth period sales closing process procedure according to the present invention;
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a tenth period sales closing process procedure according to the present invention;
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an eleventh-period sales closing process procedure according to the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a twelfth period sales closing process procedure according to the present invention;
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a processing procedure related to an abnormal transmission error according to the present invention. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing another example of a processing procedure related to an abnormal transmission error according to the present invention. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the printed contents of the period sales of the present invention. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the terminal sales details of the present invention. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the printed contents of the communication results of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the closing process procedure of the 13th period sales.
FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a fourteenth sales closing process procedure according to the present invention;
FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a fifteenth sales closing process procedure according to the present invention;
FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing another example of the control device of the vending machine of the present invention.
FIG. 25 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of the front face of the vending machine according to the present invention.
FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a communication procedure of a merchandise sales system using a non-contact terminal according to the present invention.
FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a sixteenth sales closing process procedure according to the present invention;
FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a seventeenth sales closing process procedure according to the present invention;
FIG. 29 is a diagram showing the contents of terminal data printed by the communication control unit of the present invention. FIG. 30 is a diagram showing a terminal data print command procedure of the communication control unit of the present invention. Diagram showing contents of terminal data print [Explanation of symbols]
1 vending machine main control unit 2 customer service unit 3 customer service unit 4 communication control unit 5 contactless terminal 6 terminal customer service unit 7 printer 7a period sales clear print tightening start switch 7b period sales (cumulative) print switch 10 center 11 handy terminal 100 automatic Vending machine

Claims (13)

Communication means for transmitting / receiving data to / from the terminal so that the product can be purchased by the terminal, a vending machine control section for controlling the sales operation of the vending machine, and various data between the vending machine control section and the communication means In a vending machine equipped with a communication control unit that performs
First storage means for storing product sales information in the vending machine, second storage means for storing product sales information by the terminal, a printer for printing product sales information, and the first Instructing the closing processing of the period sales of the sales information of the product stored in the storage means, and starting means for instructing printing to the printer, and when the period sales printing by the printer is finished by the operation of the starting means, Transmission means for transmitting the settlement time data from the vending machine control section to the communication control section, and the settlement time data transmitted by the transmission means, the period sales of the product sales information stored in the second storage means Means for performing a closing process, and a center device connected to the communication control unit via the communication unit, and the period sales and settlement time data by the terminal from the communication control unit It transmits to said center device transmits a transmission result to the center apparatus to the vending machine controller, in the vending machine controller, an automatic vending machine, characterized by printing a transmission result by the printer.   2. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the period sales and settlement time data by the terminal transmitted to the center device are printed by a printer.   3. The vending machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the period sales data in the first storage means is cleared based on the end of the period sales printing by the tightening process.   The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the communication control unit transmits the sales information and the settlement time data of the product by the terminal to the center device. A vending machine characterized in that the printing is performed and the data in the first storage means is cleared.   In the vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, when the starting means is operated, the center device is requested to synchronize time before the closing process, and the current time data is transmitted from the center device to the communication control unit and A vending machine that transmits to the vending machine control unit and adjusts the current time.   The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the current time of the vending machine is printed before the period sales and settlement time data sent by the terminal transmitted to the center apparatus are printed by the printer. Vending machine featuring.   7. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein when the printing request is transmitted from the communication control unit to the printer, printing is not performed when the vending machine is operating. A vending machine characterized in that a retry operation is performed in the communication control unit.   8. The vending machine according to claim 1, further comprising a second activation unit that instructs the printer to print the cumulative sales of the vending machine.   9. The vending machine according to claim 8, wherein when the second starting means instructs to print the cumulative sales, the second storage means is tightened and the sales data in the first storage means is cleared. Vending machine characterized by not performing.   10. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the printer and the starting means are provided in at least one of the vending machine control unit and the communication control unit.   The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising display means or a portable information terminal, and further comprising transmission means for transmitting sales information to the display means or the portable information terminal. Vending machine.   12. The vending machine according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the vending machine control section is tightened when the communication control section tightening process is normally completed.   13. The vending machine according to claim 12, wherein the closing process of the vending machine control unit is printing of period sales.

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