JP4681766B2 - Terminal control system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides, for example, a plurality of product selection buttons incorporated in a vending machine, or operations of a plurality of terminal units provided corresponding to a plurality of product columns via a data communication line. In particular, the present invention relates to a terminal control system having a function capable of easily executing address setting for a plurality of terminal units.
[0002]
[Related background]
As shown in FIG. 1, a vending machine such as a cigarette generally includes a plurality of product columns 1a, 1b, and 1n that store a plurality of types of products according to brands, and the product columns 1a, 1b, and 1n. A plurality of product selection buttons 2a, 2b, to 2m for instructing selective payout of the stored products. Then, under the control of the sales control unit 3 composed of a microcomputer or the like, a product of a brand designated by an alternative pressing operation of the product selection buttons 2a, 2b, to 2m is stored in a product column 1a, It is configured to pay out selectively from 1b, to 1n. In the figure, reference numeral 4 denotes a money processing unit that determines the amount of money to be inserted and issues change.
[0003]
Thus, in the conventional vending machine, the plurality of product columns 1a, 1b,... 1n and the sales control unit 3 are respectively connected by individual control signal lines, and the plurality of product selection buttons 2a, 2b,. 2m and the sales control unit 3 are also connected by individual signal lines. Then, the selective operation of the product selection buttons 2a, 2b, .about.2m is detected via these signal lines, and the product columns 1a, 1b, .about.1n are selectively driven via the signal lines. It is configured to pay out. However, in this case, it is necessary to lay a large amount of signal lines in the vending machine, which causes an increase in manufacturing cost.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, terminal control units (terminal units) 5a, 5b, to 5n for controlling the operation are provided in each of the plurality of product columns 1a, 1b, to 1n, and these terminal control units 5a, 5n, 5b, to 5n are connected to the main control unit 7 provided in the sales control unit 3 via the data communication line 6 for serial communication, and the terminal control unit 5a, It is considered that the operation commands are given by selectively addressing 5b to 5n, thereby individually controlling the operations of the commodity columns 1a, 1b, to 1n. It is considered that the operations of the plurality of product selection buttons 2a, 2b, to 2m are similarly controlled by selective addressing.
[0005]
By the way, in general, different temporary addresses are assigned in advance to the terminal control units 5a, 5b, and 5n provided in each of the plurality of product columns 1a, 1b, and 1n. These terminal controllers 5a, 5b,... -5n are assembled in the vending machine while being associated with the commodity columns 1a, 1b,. For this reason, address management of each terminal control unit 5a, 5b, .about.5n is difficult, and it is also difficult to confirm consistency with the order of the product columns 1a, 1b, .about.1n after assembly.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and its purpose is provided corresponding to, for example, a plurality of product selection buttons or a plurality of product columns incorporated in a vending machine, and a data communication line is provided. An object of the present invention is to provide a terminal control system having a function capable of easily executing address setting for a plurality of terminal units connected to a main control unit via the terminal unit.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A terminal control system according to the invention to achieve the above-described object is provided corresponding to, for example, a plurality of product selection buttons or a plurality of product columns incorporated in a vending machine, and is connected to a main control unit via a data communication line. The operation of a plurality of terminal units connected to the control unit is controlled under selective addressing from the main control unit,
Each address of the plurality of terminal units is set as an initial value common to each terminal unit, for example, a special address that is not used during formal operation (initial setting means),
The main control unit is provided with an address assigning unit that transmits address data to be set in the terminal unit together with an address setting command with the initial address as a transmission destination when the address is set for the plurality of terminal units. ,
On the other hand, each terminal unit stores the address data temporarily when the address setting command is received, and the primary stored address data when a predetermined address setting instruction is given in the terminal unit. Address setting means for setting a local station address and returning a response command to the main control unit is provided.
[0008]
Incidentally, the plurality of terminal units have the same function as each other, and operate selectively upon receiving address designation from the main control unit, and a plurality of product selection buttons incorporated in the vending machine, or a plurality of It is provided corresponding to each of the commodity columns, and is realized as a terminal control unit that individually controls each of these operations.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a terminal control system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, taking as an example a case where it is incorporated in a vending machine.
For example, as shown in FIG. 2, this terminal control system is provided in each of a plurality of product columns 1a, 1b, .about.1n or a plurality of product selection buttons 2a, 2b, .about.2m in the vending machine to control the operation thereof. A plurality of terminal control units 5a, 5b,..., 5n and a main control unit 7 provided in the sales control unit 3 are connected via a data communication line 6 for serial communication, and a main control unit 7 provided in the sales control unit 3 is connected. Under the selective address designation from the control unit 7, the operation of each of the terminal control units 5a, 5b, to 5n is controlled.
[0010]
The present invention has a function of easily setting addresses for the plurality of terminal control units 5a, 5b, to 5n in such a terminal control system. In particular, this address setting mechanism uses the addresses of the plurality of terminal control units 5a, 5b, .about.5n in advance as the initial addresses common to the terminal control units 5a, 5b, .about.5n. An initial setting means for setting a special address that is not set as, for example, an address “00” is provided. This initial setting of the address is executed when the vending machine is shipped from the factory or when the system of the vending machine is reset.
[0011]
Thus, the address setting function sets the address setting mode for the vending machine in the state where the addresses of the terminal control units 5a, 5b,... And a plurality of terminal control units 5a, 5b,..., 5n are executed while performing data communication with a predetermined address setting command or the like via the data communication line 6.
[0012]
That is, the processing function for address setting provided in the main control unit 7 and each terminal control unit 5 (5a, 5b,..., 5n) is realized as shown in FIG. The main control unit 7 plays a role as an address assigning unit, and first sets address data “XX” to be set for each terminal control unit 5 (5a, 5b, ˜5n) [step S1]. The address data is sequentially read out as a plurality of address data registered in a predetermined address management program as data determined based on the physical arrangement of the plurality of terminal control units 5 (5a, 5b,..., 5n). Is set.
[0013]
When the address data “XX” to be set is set in the terminal control unit 5 in this way, the main control unit 7 next sets the data transmission destination address to each terminal control unit 5 (5a, 5b) as described above. , ˜˜5n), the address “00” is initialized, and the address data “XX” is transmitted along with the address setting command “AD” via the data communication line 6 [step S2]. Then, the presence / absence of a response from each terminal control unit 5 (5a, 5b, ˜5n) is monitored over a predetermined time [step S3]. If there is no response, the address setting command “AD” and the address data “ The transmission of “XX” is repeatedly executed.
[0014]
On the other hand, when a response from the terminal control unit 5 is detected, it is determined that any one of the terminal control units 5a, 5b, to 5n has acquired the address data “XX” as will be described later. In this case, whether or not all the terminal control units 5a, 5b, to 5n have acquired the address data “XX”, that is, whether the address setting for the plurality of terminal control units 5a, 5b, to 5n has been completed. It is determined whether or not [Step S4]. If the address setting has not been completed, a series of processing procedures from the setting process of the address data “XX” shown in step S1 is repeated. In this case, the address data “XX” is selected from those excluding the address data already acquired by the terminal controllers 5a, 5b, to 5n. When it is determined that the address setting is completed, the address setting mode is canceled. As for the determination of the completion of the address setting, for example, it is determined whether or not all of the plurality of address data prepared to be set for each of the plurality of terminal control units 5a, 5b, to 5n has been transmitted. Done.
[0015]
On the other hand, in each terminal control unit 5 (5a, 5b, .about.5n), the address is initially set as "00" by the initial setting means in advance as described above [step S11], and in this state, the main control unit. Wait for data communication from 7. The state where the address “00” is initially set is the address setting mode in each terminal control unit 5 (5a, 5b, ˜5n).
[0016]
In each terminal control unit 5 (5a, 5b, .about.5n) in the address setting mode, first, as its address setting means, whether or not data addressed to itself is received via the data communication line 6 is determined. It is determined [step S12], and when data addressed to itself indicated by the address “00” is received, it is determined whether or not the received data includes an address setting command “AD” [step S13]. If the address setting command “AD” is not included in the received data, the received data is ignored and it is monitored again whether or not the data addressed to itself is received. When the address setting command “AD” is included in the received data, the address data “XX” in the received data is extracted, and the address data “XX” is temporarily stored [step S14].
[0017]
Thereafter, each terminal control unit 5 (5a, 5b, .about.5n) is a product column 1a, 1b, .about.1n provided with each terminal control unit 5 (5a, 5b, .about.5n), or a product selection button 2a. , 2b, to 2m, it is determined whether an instruction for address setting is given [step S15]. The instruction for address setting is given externally by the operator via the product columns 1a, 1b, .about.1n or the product selection buttons 2a, 2b, .about.2m. For example, the product selection buttons 2a, 2b,. This is given by a selective pressing operation of 2 m or a selective operation of a sold-out switch provided in a product dispensing unit incorporated in the product columns 1a, 1b,.
[0018]
If no address setting instruction is given for a predetermined time, the address data “XX” temporarily stored in the received data described above is discarded as no address setting instruction, and the process of step S11 is performed again. Returning to step S5, it is monitored whether or not data addressed to itself is received. On the other hand, when an address setting instruction is given, the address data “XX” temporarily stored as described above is taken in as an address to be assigned to itself, and the initially set address “00” is changed to the address “XX”. Change and register [step S16]. Thereafter, a response command indicating that the address “XX” has been acquired is returned to the main control unit 7 via the data communication line 6 [step S17].
[0019]
As a result, in the terminal control unit 5 (5a, 5b, .about.5n) that has acquired the address “XX”, the address setting command “AD” and a new address are transmitted from the main control unit 7 with the address “00” as the transmission destination. Even if the data “XX” is sent, it is not judged as data addressed to the own station, and the communication data is sent to the other terminal control unit 5.
[0020]
Thus, according to the address setting function composed of the address assigning means by the main control section 7 and the address setting means in the terminal control section 5 as described above, as shown in FIG. 4, the address from the main control section 7 at time T1. When a setting command is issued and an address setting command “AD” and new address data “03” are sent with the transmission destination address set to “00”, the address data “03” is sent to each of the terminal controllers 5a, 5b, and 5n. Is temporarily stored. At this time, when an address setting instruction is given to the terminal control unit 5b, the address data “03” primarily stored by the terminal control unit 5b is taken and the initially set address “00” is changed to “03”. A response command is returned to the main control unit 7.
[0021]
Then, the main control unit 7 knows that the assignment of the address data “03” is completed, issues an address setting command at the next time T2, sets the transmission destination address to “00”, and sets a new address setting command “AD”. Address data “02” is sent. Then, the transmission data is received by the terminal control units 5a, 5c, to 5n other than the terminal control unit 5b that has acquired the address "03", and the terminal control units 5a, 5c, to 5n respectively receive the primary data. Remembered. When an address setting instruction is given to the terminal control unit 5a in this state, the terminal control unit 5a takes in the address data “02” that is temporarily stored and changes the initially set address “00” to “02”. A response command is returned to the main control unit 7.
[0022]
Then, the main control unit 7 knows that the assignment of the address data “02” has been completed, issues an address setting command at the next time T3, sets the transmission destination address to “00”, and sets a new address setting command “AD”. Address data “01” is sent. In this case, the transmission data is received by the terminal control unit 5b that has acquired the address "03" and the terminal control units 5c to 5n other than the terminal control unit 5a that has acquired the address "02". The data “01” is primarily stored in each of these terminal control units 5c to 5n. When an address setting instruction is given to the terminal control unit 5c in this state, the terminal control unit 5c takes in the address data “01” that is temporarily stored and changes the initially set address “00” to “01”. A response command is returned to the main control unit 7.
[0023]
Thereafter, each terminal control unit is sequentially sent to the remaining terminal control units 5d to 5n while sequentially sending an address setting command “AD” and new address data “XX” with the transmission destination address set to “00”. By giving address setting instructions to 5d and 5n, address assignment (address setting) to all the terminal control units 5a, 5c and 5n is completed.
[0024]
As described above, according to the present terminal control system, the main control unit 7 sets addresses to the plurality of terminal control units 5a, 5c, to 5n controlled via the data communication line 6 by a simple procedure. Can do. Moreover, it is only necessary to selectively operate the product columns 1a, 1b, ˜1n or the product selection buttons 2a, 2b, ˜2m provided with a plurality of terminal control units 5a, 5c, ˜5n, respectively, to instruct the address setting. The address setting for each of the terminal control units 5a, 5c,..., 5n can be easily executed, and no special knowledge is required.
[0025]
Therefore, even if temporary addresses different from each other are assigned in advance to the plurality of terminal control units 5a, 5c,..., 5n, these temporary addresses are reset, and after incorporation into the vending machine, as described above, the product columns 1a, 1b , ˜1n or the product selection buttons 2a, 2b, ˜2m can be easily set by simply selectively operating the terminal control units 5a, 5c, ˜5n in a predetermined order. There is an advantage to say. Moreover, since it is not necessary to manage the temporary addresses assigned to the terminal control units 5a, 5c, to 5n prior to incorporation into the vending machine, the work load can be greatly reduced. Played.
[0026]
The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. Here, the terminal control system incorporated in the vending machine has been described as an example, but the present invention can be similarly applied to other terminal control systems. The number of digits (number of data bits) of the address data may be determined according to the number of terminal control units 5 and the like, and is used during formal operation other than “00” as an initial setting address. Of course, it is possible to adopt an address that does not occur. In addition, the present invention can be variously modified and implemented without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0027]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when the addresses of a plurality of terminal units are set, the initial address set in advance from the main control unit to each terminal unit is set in the terminal unit together with the address setting command as a transmission destination. The address data to be transmitted is transmitted, and each terminal unit temporarily stores the address data when receiving an address setting command, and automatically stores the address data stored temporarily when a predetermined address setting instruction is given. Since it is only set as a station address and a response command is returned to the main control unit, it is possible to easily and reliably set addresses for a plurality of terminal units without requiring specialized knowledge. An enormous effect can be achieved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part of a vending machine.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a terminal control system incorporated in a vending machine.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an address setting procedure by an address setting function included in the terminal control system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a diagram showing an example of address setting for a plurality of terminal control units by an address setting processing function in the terminal control system shown in FIG. 3;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 (1a, 1b, ˜1n) Product column 2 (2a, 2b, ˜2m) Product selection button 3 Sales control unit 5 (5a, 5b, ˜5n) Terminal control unit 6 Data communication line 7 Main control unit S1, ˜ S4 Address assigning means S11 to S17 Address setting means

Claims (3)

A terminal control system that controls operations of a plurality of terminal units connected to a main control unit via data communication lines under selective addressing from the main control unit,
Initial setting means for setting each address of the plurality of terminal units in advance as an initial address common to each terminal unit;
An address assigning unit provided in the main control unit and configured to transmit address data to be set in the terminal unit together with an address setting command with the initial address as a transmission destination when the addresses of the plurality of terminal units are set; ,
Means provided in each terminal unit for temporarily storing the address data when the address setting command is received; and when the predetermined address setting instruction is given in the terminal unit, the primary stored address data A terminal control system comprising address setting means for setting a local address and returning a response command to the main control unit. The terminal control system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of terminal units have the same function as each other and selectively operate in response to address designation from the main control unit. The plurality of terminal units are respectively provided corresponding to a plurality of product selection buttons or a plurality of product columns incorporated in the vending machine, and individually control these operations. The terminal control system described.

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