JPS5822789B2 - Vending machine control device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a control device for a vending machine, and more particularly to a control device for a vending machine that is capable of continuously selling a plurality of products.

In vending machines that can sell multiple products in succession, the total amount of one sale is large, and therefore a large amount of coins are inserted at once, so conventional control devices for single-product vending machines This makes it easy to run out of change.

Therefore, in order to make selling multiple coins a reality, it is necessary to control the acceptance and return of coins with sufficient consideration of the coin denomination.

In view of this point, the present invention realizes coin control that fully considers the coin denomination, eliminates the fear of running out of change, and makes it possible to realize a vending machine that can continuously sell multiple products. The purpose is to

In the present invention, as a means to prevent a shortage of change, a spare auxiliary tube is provided in which change coins, that is, 10 yen (and 50 yen if necessary) coins are specially stored.

Conventionally, in coin storage tubes for change, the coins in the tube are replenished by the coins inserted.

If this is called the main tube, an auxiliary tube is provided in addition to this tube, and this auxiliary tube is specially replenished with coins or stores the overflow when the main tube is full.

Therefore, even if one of the tubes becomes empty, coins such as change can be dispensed from the other tube.

The present invention proposes coin control using such a main tube and auxiliary tube.

Further, in the present invention, since the main tube and the auxiliary tube are used as described above, whether or not there is a shortage of stored change coins is determined from the storage state of both tubes.

The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the embodiments of the accompanying drawings.

In FIG. 1, the coin detection switches 1.2.3 detect the insertion of 100 yen, 50 yen, and 10 yen, respectively, and send pulses through the inverter 4.5.6 and the OR circuit 7.8.9. A coin detection pulse is applied to the transducer 10.

The pulse converter 10 generates a pulse representing the amount of money depending on the denomination of the inserted coin, and applies the pulse to the main counter 12 via the OR circuit 11.

The main counter 12 adds and counts the total amount of input money, and the counting result is added to the comparators 13 and 14 as well as the display section 15.
is displayed.

The comparator 13 compares the output K of the main counter 12 with the signal SP representing the set sales amount sent as a serial multi-pit binary signal from the memory circuit 17 via the gate circuit 16, and outputs the signal when K≧SP. Outputs 1.

In addition, the storage circuit 17 indicates the set sales price of the requested product in response to the request for the product by the purchaser.

The sales setting amount signal SP is applied as a 6-bit binary signal via the AC-DC exchanger 23, and the storage circuit 17 stores the sales setting amount signal SP indicating the sales setting amount of the selected product. , which is output as a serial multi-bit binary signal.

Engineering. When the empty signal EMP is ``0'', it indicates a shortage of change coins. When the signal EMP is 1'', the comparator 13 operates, and when the signal EMP is 10'', the comparator 14 operates.
works.

Comparator 14 outputs signal 1 only when SP=SP.

Therefore, when there is a change shortage S, sales that require change are not permitted, and only sales that do not require change are permitted.

The output "X1" of the comparators 13 and 14 is output via the OR circuit 18 as the sales permission signal VEND.

Sales permission signal VEND is AND circuit 19.20, DC -
It joins some vendors (not shown) via AC2 converters 21 and 22, and dispenses the desired product selected by the purchaser.

Terminals C, D, and E are connected to part of the vendor.

When a sales operation is executed by some of the vendors, a sales signal 3S is applied and stored in the storage unit 25 via the AC-DC converter 24.

The sales signal S(11'') output from the storage unit 25 is sent to the AND circuit 29 via the OR circuit 26 and timers 27 and 28.
It is added to the OR circuit 30, the AND circuit 31, and the AND circuit 32.

The output "1" of the OR circuit 30 puts the main counter 12 in a subtracting mode.

When the AND circuit 32 becomes operational, the set sales amount signal SP is applied from the memory circuit 17 to the OR circuit 11 via the gate circuit 16, becomes a subtraction input for the main counter 12, and 4 set sales amounts are subtracted from the input amount. .

Further, when the AND circuit 31 becomes operational, the set sales amount SP is added to the sales counter 33.

The sales counter 33 adds and counts the input sales setting amount SP to calculate the total sales amount.

When the sales signal S passes through the timer 27.2 and is output from the timer 34 after a predetermined time, the storage section 25 and the storage circuit 17
is reset, and the sales set amount SP and sales signal S are deleted.

As long as the counted content K (remaining amount) of the main counter 12 satisfies the conditions of the comparator 13 (or 14), continuous sales are possible.

Therefore, in response to the next selection by the purchaser, the signal SP representing the set sales price for the selected product is transmitted to the storage circuit 17.
When the sales signal S is stored in the storage section 25 and a sales operation is performed by some vendors, the sales signal S is stored in the storage section 25.

The same operation as described above is repeated, and the main counter 12 subtracts the set sales amount SP one after another, so the count shows the remaining amount of the input amount.On the contrary, the sales counter 33 subtracts the set sales amount SP one after another. Since it is added, the content of the count is the total sales amount (total sales setting amount of multiple products sold)
represents.

Regarding acceptance control of temporarily reserved coins (100 yen) The inserted 100 yen coin activates the 100 yen coin detection switch 1, and the number of inserted 100 yen coins is counted and stored in the 100 yen coin input counter 35, but the inserted coin itself is It is temporarily held in an escrow device 36 as shown in FIG.

Normally, the receiving protrusion 37 and the returning protrusion 38 are connected to the receiving passage 39.
and the return passage 40 is blocked, and the inserted coins are 100.10
0' is temporarily reserved.

Every time one product is sold, a sale signal S is generated, which causes an output 11'' from the AND circuit 29, and the output 11'' of the AND circuit 29 enables the temporarily reserved coin acceptance logic circuit 41 to operate.

The acceptance logic circuit 41 determines whether to accept temporarily reserved coins based on the count T of the sales counter 33.

Since the sales counter 33 performs the addition operation at the output timing of the timer 27, the counting operation of the counter 33 is surely completed when the circuit 41 becomes operational at the output timing of the timer 28.

Now, the acceptance logic circuit 41 generates one pulse according to the following logic.

In other words, the total sales amount T, which is the count content of the sales counter 33, is from rnX100+10'' to r(n+1)xl
One pulse is generated when the value is between 00J.

n is 0, ■, 2.3...

To explain this point in detail, the acceptance logic circuit 41 first generates one pulse when the total sales amount T is between ■ 10 yen and 100 yen, and then generates one pulse when the total sales amount T is between 110 yen and 200 yen. As the sales amount increases, one pulse is generated in each case. arise.

Therefore, as a result of several sales, for example, the sales counter 33
Assuming that the output T of is 750 yen, a total of 8 pulses will be output from the acceptance logic circuit 41.

The output pulse of the acceptance logic circuit 41 is the acceptance control solenoid 4.
2 and coin stop control solenoid 43 are energized.

When the coin retaining solenoid 43 is energized, the coin retaining pin 4
4 (Fig. 2) is sucked in the direction of the arrow
The pin 44 protrudes into the coin passage from the top of the figure and locks the second reserved coin 100' from the bottom.

When the acceptance control solenoid 42 is energized, the acceptance protrusion 37
(FIG. 2) is sucked in the direction of arrow X, and the lowest reserved coin 100 falls into the receiving passage 39.

At this time, the second coin 100' from the bottom is stopped by the pin 44 protruding into the passage, so it does not fall.

When one pulse is applied from the acceptance logic circuit 41,
As shown in FIG. 3, first the coin stop control solenoid 43 is energized, then the acceptance control solenoid 42 is energized,
After the solenoid 42 is deenergized, the coin stop control solenoid 43 is preferably deenergized.

As described above, each time one pulse is generated from the acceptance logic circuit 41, the escrow device 36 temporarily holds one coin.
Accept one by one.

The output pulse of the acceptance logic circuit 41 is also applied to the input 100 yen coins counter 35, and the number of accepted coins is subtracted from the number of coins inserted.

Therefore, the count of the input coin counter 35 represents the remaining number of coins held in the escrow device 36.

Regarding memory reset of the number of inserted 50 yen coins, the inserted 50 yen coin activates the 50 yen coin detection switch 2, and the number of inserted 50 yen coins is counted and stored in the inserted 50 yen coin counter 46.

The inserted 50 yen coin counter 46 is used to return the coin in the same denomination as the inserted coin when the inserted coin is returned without any sale.

Therefore, if even one item is sold, the count contents of the counter 46 are unnecessary, so if a value is loaded into the sales counter 33 (a value other than 0 is output), the output of this counter 33 will cause 50 Yen input number counter 46
Reset.

As a result, the counter 46 is reset when the first product is sold.

The output of the counter 46 passes through the OR circuit 47 and becomes a command signal for dispensing 50 yen (this circuit becomes valid when the total amount of coins inserted is returned). It causes trouble when

Therefore, when selling multiple products in succession, it is necessary to reliably reset the memory of the number of 50 yen coins inserted at the stage of the first sale as described above.

Regarding the storage and dispensing control of change coins, small denominations of 10 yen and 50 yen coins are used as change coins.
It is a yen coin.

100 yen coins can also be mixed into the change, but this uses the remainder of the 100 yen coins inserted.

In other words, in the process of continuous sales of multiple products, the escrow device 3
The 6 reserved coins are accepted one by one, but the 100 yen coins that are not needed for sale are left in the escrow device 36.

When completing a continuous sale and requesting change, the purchaser presses a payment button (not shown) to apply a payment signal CL to the AC-DC converter 48, stores this in the storage unit 49, and activates the gate circuit 16. At the same time as inputting, the condition of the AND circuit 50 is established after a predetermined period of time.

The settlement signal output from the AND circuit 50 causes the main counter 12 to enter a subtraction mode and energizes the 100 yen coin return control solenoid 51.

When the solenoid 51 is energized, the return protrusion 38 (FIG. 2) is sucked in the direction of arrow X', and all the 100 yen coins remaining in the escrow device 36 are guided to the return passage 40.
will be returned.

The number of returned tickets (remaining number) at this time is 100 yen counter 3
Equivalent to the contents of 5.

Now, 10 yen and 50 yen coins were originally used as change coins.
Yen coins are dispensed from those stored in a coin storage device (which is a conventionally known coin storage tube).

As shown in FIG. 4, 50 yen coin tubes 52 and 10
The yen coin main tube 53 stores each inserted coin of the denomination (automatically replenished).

The 10 yen coin auxiliary tube 54 is filled with 10 yen coins by the manager of the vending machine, or when the main tube 53 is full, the overflowing inserted coins are stored therein.

First, detection of the coin storage state of each tube 52 to 54 will be described.

Although it is possible to detect the amount of stored coins by simply using an empty switch as in the past, in order to utilize the stored coins more effectively, it is better to adopt the storage amount detection described below.

Each tube 52-54 is provided with a coin amount detection switch 55, 56, 57 at a predetermined height position.
In this case, switches 55 to 57 operate, and timers 58 to 57 operate.
A preset value is generated from the preset circuits 61 to 63 via the preset circuit 60, and the preset value is preset in the 50 yen storage counter 64, the main tube 10 yen storage counter 65, and the auxiliary tube 10 yen storage counter 66. .

This preset value corresponds to the minimum amount of coin storage at which switches 55-57 will operate.

Therefore, when the amount of coins stored in the tubes 52 to 54 is greater than or equal to the preset value, the amount is represented by the preset value and indicates that there are sufficient coins.

When the amount of coins in the tubes 52-54 falls below the positions of the switches 55-57, no preset value is given, so the counters 64-66 accurately count the number of coins.

That is, when a 50 yen coin is inserted and stored in the tube 52, the pulse from the switch 2 is sent to the gate circuit 67,
OR circuit.

68 and then added and counted by the counter 64.

Similarly, the main tube counter 65 receives the pulse from the 10 yen coin detection switch 3 through the gate circuit 69 and the OR circuit 70.
are added through .

When change is paid out at the time of payment, the payment is made from the AND circuit 50.

The signal 1 is applied from the in bit gates 71, 72, 73 to the counters 64-66, and the counters 64-66
Set 66 to subtraction mode.

When a coin is dispensed from the tubes 52 to 54, the dispense detection switch 74 (FIG. 1) releases the coin.

is detected, a pulse is applied to the AND circuit 75, and the OR circuit 6
1 is subtracted from the contents of the counter 64 via 8.

The AND circuit 75 becomes operational when the 50 yen payout command signal is output from the OR circuit 47, and identifies that the dispensed coin is 50 yen.

When 10 yen is paid out, the output of OR circuit 4γ is 10
``, the inhibit gate T6 becomes operable and the output pulse of the payout detection switch 74 is subtracted by the counter 65.

That is, when there is a count content of the main tube 10 yen coin storage amount counter 65 (other than 0), the AND circuit 77 is operable, and the inhibit gate 78 blocks the signal.

Therefore, a subtraction pulse is applied to the counter 65 via the AND circuit 77 and the OR circuit 70.

When the contents of the counter 65 become 0, the in bit gate 78
becomes operational and applies a subtraction pulse to the auxiliary tube storage amount counter 66 via the OR circuit 79.

When the coins in the auxiliary tube 54 run out and one coin is artificially supplied, a pulse is generated from the switch 57 by the supplementary coin that passes through the detection switch 57 and falls.
The inhibit gate 80 (at this time, the output of the timer 60 is 0, so it is operable), the addition pulse is added to the counter 66 via the OR circuit 79, and the number of replenishment coins is added (at this time Since the output of the inhibit gate 73 is 20'', it is ready for addition.

). As described above, when the number of coins in the tubes 52-54 is less than the preset value of the counters 64-66, the counters 64-66 have calculated the correct number of stored coins.

When the 100 yen coin remaining in the escrow device 36 is returned, the count contents of the 100 yen counter 35 are changed to the AND circuit 8.
It is decremented by the main counter 12 through 1.

As a result, the count content of the main counter 12 becomes the amount of change to be paid out in 50 yen coins and 10 yen coins.

Change is first given out in 50 yen coins.

The contents of the main counter 12 are added to the detection circuit 82 for detecting the presence or absence of 50 yen or more, and if the value is 50 yen or more, a signal 11 "
is output, the in bit gate 83, the AND circuit 84,
It becomes a 50 yen payout command signal through the OR circuit 41, and 50 yen is issued.
The yen payout control unit 85 is controlled to enable the coin payout mechanism 86 (FIG. 4) such as the payout slide of the 50 yen tube 52.

Inhibit gate 83 is 50 yen input number counter 46
It is possible to operate when is reset to 0,
The AND circuit 84 becomes operational if the 50 yen storage amount counter 64 counts a number other than 0.

On condition that the payment signal is applied, a change payout morph (not shown) is driven 1, and the 50 yen payout mechanism 86
With this action, one 50 yen coin is dispensed from the 50 yen tube 52.

The dispensed coin activates the aforementioned dispense detection switch 74, and a pulse is supplied via the AND circuit 87, OR circuit 8, etc., and the 50 yen dispensed from the main counter 12 is subtracted.

As long as the 50 yen presence/absence detection circuit 82 detects change of 50 yen or more, the 50 yen payout control unit 85 operates and the payout mechanism 8
6 to dispense a 50 yen coin.

When the change is less than 50 yen, the output power of the detection circuit 82 is 5S%.
0", or when the 50 yen tube 52 becomes empty and the output of the 50 yen counter 64 is 0, the AND circuit 8
When 4 becomes inactive, the payout of 50 yen ends.

When the output power of the OR circuit 47 becomes 0" and the payout of 50 yen is completed, the inhibit gate 88 becomes operational and if the count content of the main counter 12 is not 0 (if there is change), The output of inhibit gate 85 is 'N''l
", and a 10 yen payout command signal is given to the 10 yen payout control units 89 and 90.

In principle, 10 yen coins are dispensed from the main tube 53, and when the main tube 53 is empty, they are dispensed from the auxiliary tube 54.

Therefore, the main tube 10 yen coin storage counter 6
When the count of 5 is other than 0, the control sections 89 and 90 are controlled by the signal from the counter 65 so that the main tube dispensing control section 89 is enabled and the auxiliary tube dispensing control section 90 is inoperable.

When the contents of counter 65 reach zero, the signal from counter 65 disables main tube dispensing control 89 and enables auxiliary tube dispensing control 90.

Therefore, if there are coins in the main tube 53, the control unit 8
9, the main tube dispensing mechanism 91 operates and dispenses a 10 yen coin from the main tube 53.

In this case, the AND circuit 77 becomes operational and the counter 65 is decremented.

Further, when the main tube 53 becomes empty, the auxiliary tube dispensing mechanism 92 is operated by the control unit 90 to dispense 10 yen coins from the auxiliary tube 54.

In this case, the inhibit gate 18 is enabled and the auxiliary tube counter 66 is decremented.

The dispensed 10 yen coin activates the dispensing detection switch 74, and passes through the inhibit gate 93 (operable because the output of the OR circuit 47 is 10"), the OR circuit 9, etc. to 10 yen coins from the main rank 12. is subtracted.

In this way, 10 yen coins are paid out until the content of the main counter 12 becomes 0.

When the content of the main counter 12 becomes 0, a reset signal R6 is generated, and all the various counters and storage sections shown in FIG. 1 are reset.

Regarding change shortage detection, change shortage is detected by checking whether the change tube 52, 53, 54 stores at least the number of coins equivalent to the maximum change amount of 90 yen.

In the present invention, not only the main tube 53 but also the auxiliary tube 54 is used.
The number of sheets to be stored will also be considered.

First, the counted contents of the stored 10 yen coins counter 65.66 are added to the comparison/determination section 94.95, which determines whether there are 9 or more 10 yen coins or 4 or more in the main tube 53 and the auxiliary tube 54. .

Based on the contents of the main tube counter 65, if there are nine or more coins in the main tube 53, a signal 1 is applied from the discrimination section 94 to the OR circuit 96, and if there are four or more coins, a signal 1 is applied to the OR circuit 97.

Similarly, in the case of the auxiliary tubes 54, the determining section 95 judges from the contents of the counter 66 and applies a signal 1 to the OR circuit 96 for nine or more tubes, and to the OR circuit 97 for four or more tubes.

Therefore, if either the main tube 53 or the auxiliary tube 54 stores nine or more coins, the output of the OR circuit 96 becomes 11", and the signal is sent to the inhibit gate 9.
Join 8.

When the 50 yen tube 52 is empty, the output of the 50 yen counter 64 is 0, and the inhibit gate 98 is enabled.

However, if there are coins in the 50-yen tube 52, the AND circuit 99 is enabled by the signal from the counter 64, and the inhibit gate 98 is disabled.

In this way, whether there are 9 or more 10 yen coins for change (inhibit gate 98), or whether there are 90 yen or more coins in combination of 50 yen and 10 yen (AND circuit 9)
9) is determined.

The output of the AND circuit 99 or the inhibit gate 98 passes through the OR circuit 101 and becomes the empty signal EMP.

When the empty signal EMP is '0'', it means that there is a lack of change (the amount of coins stored for change is less than 90 yen).

The empty signal EMP is output via the terminal 102 and is used to drive an out-of-change indicator lamp or the like.

Incidentally, when the coin detection switch 1.2.3 is operating for an abnormally long time due to a failure or the like, the timer 103 detects this and outputs an automatic return signal AR.

The automatic return signal AR is stored in the storage unit 49 for payment signals, and sets the vending machine in a return mode.

Further, the output of the OR circuit 104 becomes a signal CREM for inhibiting coin insertion.

In the above embodiment, one auxiliary tube 54 is provided, but the invention is not limited to this, and even if a plurality of auxiliary tubes are provided, the same control as described above can be achieved.

Furthermore, 50 yen coins may be stored in the auxiliary tube.

As explained above, the present invention is highly effective in a vending machine that is less likely to run out of change, can handle a large amount of coins at once, and is capable of continuously selling a plurality of products.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing an example of an escrow device, FIG. 3 is a graph showing the operation timing of the coin retaining pin and the receiving protrusion, and FIG. The figure is a diagram illustrating the outline of the main tube and the auxiliary tube. 1, λ3... Inserted coin detection switch, 10...
...Pulse converter, 12...Main counter,
13, 14...Comparator, 17...Sales setting amount storage circuit, 25.49...Storage unit, 2
7.2 & 34.5 & 59,60.103...
Timer, 33...Sales total counter, 35,
46.65.66... Counter, 41...
... Temporary hold coin acceptance logic circuit, 42 ... Acceptance control solenoid, 43 ... Coin stop control solenoid, 51 ... Return control solenoid, 36 ...
...Escro device, 52...50 yen coin storage tube, 53...10 yen coin storage main tube, 54...auxiliary tube, 82...・
Presence detection circuit for 50 yen or more.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A main storage device that stores coins to be used as change among input coins by denomination, and a main storage device that is provided corresponding to at least one denomination of coins stored in the main storage device, and that stores coins of the denomination. In a vending machine that is provided with an auxiliary storage device that stores coins in advance and dispenses change from the main storage device or the auxiliary storage device, comprising a logic circuit that outputs a signal when either one of the combinations of the stored coins and the coins stored in the auxiliary storage device satisfies a predetermined change dispensing enable condition, and an output of the logic circuit; A control device for a vending machine, characterized in that it enables sales with change payment based on the above.