JPS5845059B2 - refrigerator system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a centrally controlled refrigerator system, and the main point thereof is that a honeycomb-shaped product storage shelf is provided in a terminal refrigerator, and products are stored in each honeycomb-shaped hole of the product storage shelf. Regardless of the presence or absence of information, the central processing unit uses a common transmission cable to constantly send information to the central processing unit in a time-sharing manner to monitor and process the sales volume.

Nowadays, each hotel room is equipped with a vending machine with a refrigerator that sells various products such as beer and juice.
Alternatively, a system is often used in which a central processing machine installed at the counter manages the sales volume of each guest room at once, and then charges the customer for the price at checkout.

Generally, such systems cannot sufficiently grasp the status of the terminal refrigerator, so there is a risk that empty bottles or other objects may be intentionally or accidentally placed in the product storage position, making it impossible to obtain accurate product sales numbers.

In order to eliminate this problem, there is a method of installing a mechanical locking mechanism in each product storage position, but if you force an empty bottle into the product storage position when the lock is engaged, it may damage the refrigerator. An accident had occurred.

The present invention has been made in view of these points, and aims to provide a centrally managed refrigerator system that can withstand fraudulent acts without damaging the refrigerator.

An embodiment of the system according to the invention will be described below.

Figure 1 shows the system configuration, with central processor 1 (
The CPU (hereinafter referred to as the CPU) is connected to the transmission circuit 2, the keyboard 8, the display 9, and the printer 10 by a path line 56.

On the other hand, the transmission line 3 coming out from the transmission circuit 2 is connected to the terminal refrigerator #
14 to the terminal refrigerators 5 of #2, #3, .

Therefore, when it is necessary to increase the number of terminals using this method,
Simply remove the terminating resistor of the transmission cable 3, extend the cable to the additional terminal refrigerator 7, and terminate it here.The structure of the CPUI will not be affected.

Now, the CPU 1 has a display 9 as an output device, a printer 10, and a keyboard 8 as a human-powered device.When an operator gives a command from the keyboard, the CPU 1 executes various prescribed programs, displays and prints the results. I do.

However, at other times, CPU 1 is always terminal refrigerator 4.
, 5... Automatically scan for I,
When a product is taken out of the refrigerator, the contact signal of the product detection switch immediately reaches the CPU 1 through the transmission cable 3 and the transmission circuit 2, and is stored in the storage device within the CPU I.

The signals transmitted here will be briefly explained.

FIG. 2 shows the format of the signals on the transmission goofle.

Signals flow in both directions on the transmission goofle, and a party line including all the terminal refrigerators 4, 5, 7 and the transmission circuit 2 is formed.

Also, synchronization is based on the start-stop synchronization method.

In FIG. 2, 11 represents a terminal control signal from the CPU 1.

■The th bit is a start signal.

The second bit is an out mark indicating that this data block has been sent from CPU 1 to the terminal, and is at logic level "1".

The 8 bits from 3 bits to 10 bits specify a terminal number, and 256 terminals can be individually specified.

The 4 bits from 11 bits to 14 bits are command codes for the terminal, and there are the following types.

The 15th bit is a parity pit.

The 16th bit is a stop bit.

Reference numeral 12 in FIG. 2 is a response signal sent back by the terminal specified by the terminal control signal 11 from the CPU 1.

The second bit is an in mark indicating that this data block is sent from the terminal to CPU 1, and is at logic level 0.

The 3rd to 10th bits are the same as the terminal control signal 11 and are the terminal number code.

By checking this with CPU1, control signal 1
It is possible to check whether the signal No. 1 was correctly received by the intended terminal.

11 bits ~ 1 There are different types.

4 bits are status, and 13, 14, and 15 shown in FIG. 2 are data blocks that are generated consecutively to the response signal 12 only when the command code of the terminal control signal 110 is switch data read.

Each bit from 3 bits to 14 bits corresponds to an individual product detection switch on a product storage shelf in the refrigerator.

In this embodiment, since 36 products are to be handled, the switches are divided into three groups: switch data group 1, switch data group 2, and switch data group 3.

And data block 13 is switch data group 1
Similarly, data block 14 is sent to group 2.
, block 15 transmits group 3.

Of course, the number of times the switch data is sent can be changed in response to an increase or decrease in the number of products in the refrigerator.

The circuit configuration of the terminal refrigerators 4, 5, and 7 will be explained with reference to FIG.

A balanced signal is transmitted to the transmission cable 3 using one pair of twisted pair wires.

All the terminal refrigerators and the central transmission circuit share a pair of lines in a party line format, and communicate by dividing these lines in time.

Each terminal refrigerator 4, 5, 7 and transmission circuit 2 have a pair of line drivers 16 and line receivers 17 through which signals are transmitted and received.

A terminal control signal 11 issued from the CPU 1 is transferred to a transmission line 3 by a driver of a transmission circuit 2 and sent to terminal refrigerators 4, 5, and 7.

The terminal refrigerators 4, 5, and 7 receive the signal at the receiver 17, reproduce the level, and then send it to the serial/parallel converter 18.

Here, detection of a start bit, generation of a reception clock, detection of data full, detection of data break, etc. are performed using a known method generally performed in asynchronous transmission, and the terminal control signal 11 is sent as a level signal to the converter 18. Obtainable.

Each terminal refrigerator 4, 5, 7 is provided with a (DIP) switch 19, for example, which generates a unique terminal number, and a terminal control signal 110 on a serial-to-parallel converter 18, bits 3 to 10 of the terminal. The output of the comparison circuit 20, which compares the number part with the data set in the DIP switch and activates only those terminals that match, is further compared with the output of a parity check circuit (not shown) and the out mark of bit 2. The AND 43 is taken and applied to the active input of the command decoder 21.

The command decoder 21 generates five signals: switch data read, buzzer on, buzzer off, door lock, and door unlock.
Buzzer flip-flop 28 set terminal, reset terminal, door lock one shot 220 input 1. Added to 250 one-shot door unlock inputs.

Buzzer flip-flop, door lock one shot, door unlock one shot outputs are output through the respective drivers, buzzer 30, door lock solenoid 2.
4. Drive the door lock release lens 27.

When a switch data read command is issued, a switch data flip-flop (not shown) in the controller 36 is set, and then data block 1 is set.
3, 14, 150 switch data must be sent.

When the terminal refrigerator specified by the terminal control signal 11 is received, the response signal 1 is always sent regardless of the type of command.
2 is sent back to CPU 1, so check the terminal number,
The transmission operation from the terminal refrigerator is started by the AND 43 output that satisfies all the specifications of the parity checkout mark.

The terminal number generator 19 and the status signal 31 cause the response signal 12 to be loaded into the parallel-to-serial converter 32 through the data selector 33.

Under the control of the controller 36, the data selector 33 passes signals from the terminal number generator 19 and status 31 when loading the data block 12, and from the switch matrix 34 when loading the data blocks 13, 14, and 15. pass the signal.

Here, using a well-known method generally used in asynchronous transmission, addition of a start bit and stop bit, generation of a transmission clock, buffer empty detection, etc. are performed, and parallel transmission is performed.
The data on the serial converter 32 is sent out onto the transmission line 3 through the driver 16.

If the terminal control signal 110 command code is other than switch data read, the transmission operation is completed when the terminal response signal 12 is sent.

If the command code is switch data read, data blocks 13, 14, and 15 are subsequently transmitted.

When the switch data flip-flop in the controller 36 is set, a switch data sending sequence is started and the outputs of the switch group selection counter 35 are sequentially applied to the switch matrix 34.

The switch matrix 34 consists of timing signal lines 37, 38° 39 from the counter 35 and 12 switch signal lines 40 that intersect with the timing signal lines 37, 38, 39 as shown in FIG. The switch signal line 4 consists of an element 42 and a diode 44 inserted in series with the switch to prevent malfunction due to interference.
0 is connected to the parallel/serial converter 32 through the data selector 33.

When sending out the data block 13, the counter 35 activates the timing signal line 37, and only the data of the switch group connected thereto is loaded into the parallel-to-serial converter 32 through the data selector 33.

Similarly, when sending out the data block 14, the timing signal line 38 is activated, and when sending out the data block 15, the timing signal line 39 is activated, and the data of the switch groups connected to each is sent to the parallel/serial converter. 32
loaded into.

In this way, from CPU 1 to terminal refrigerator 4,5°7
It can be seen that the CPU 1 controls the terminal refrigerators 4, 5, and 7, and collects the status of the terminal refrigerators 4, 5, and 7 and the consumption status of products in the product storage shelves of the terminal refrigerators 4, 5, and 7.

Next, the configuration and function of the transmission circuit 2 on the CPU I side shown in FIG. 1 will be explained with reference to FIG.

This circuit is located between two signal transmission paths used for communication between the CPU 1 and each terminal refrigerator 4, 5, 7, that is, the CPU path line 56 and the terminal refrigerator transmission cable 3,
Its purpose is to convert signal formats.

When a command is issued from the CPU 1 to any of the terminal refrigerators 4, 5, and 7, the controller 55 detects that the command is related to the terminal refrigerators 4, 5, and 7, and sends the command to the terminal refrigerator 4, 5, and 7.
The data on the PU pass line 56 is loaded onto the parallel-to-serial converter 51.

This data is the terminal control signal 1 shown in Figure 2.
1, and when it reaches the terminal refrigerators 4, 5, and 7, it performs a job specific to the data content, but on this transmission circuit 2, it is processed as mere data.

Data on the parallel-to-serial converter 51 is transferred to the transmission line 3 through the line driver 50.

On the other hand, the data sent from the terminal refrigerators 4, 5.7 is passed through the line receiver 52 to the serial/parallel converter 5.
3.

When transmitting switch data from the terminal refrigerators 4.5 and 7, reception is performed four times in a row.

Therefore, an out data buffer 54 is provided to allow time for the CPU 1 to take in the data.

The controller 55 detects the completion of transmission in the case of transmission and the completion of reception in the case of reception, and generates an interrupt signal to the CPU 1.

In the block diagram shown in Fig. 1, the transmission cable connecting the terminal refrigerators 4, 5, 7 is composed of one cable, but if the number of terminal refrigerators becomes very large, all the terminal refrigerators 4, 5,
, 7 takes too much time, and the service for each right terminal refrigerator 4°5.7 is degraded.

In such a case, it becomes necessary to provide a plurality of transmission circuits 2 and transmission cables 3.

Even in that case, there will be no change in the structure and function of the individual system components described above.

What has been described above is the structure and function of the terminal refrigerators 4, 5, 7 and the transmission circuit 2, centering on the transmission cable 3.6.

Next, we will move on to explanation of other components of the block diagram of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 7, the storage device 60 in the CPU i has two data areas, one of which is named a switch data area 61 and the other an initial switch data area 62.

And terminal refrigerators 4, 5 and 7 all have their corresponding switch data 5N63 and initial switch data ■N6
4 has been assigned.

Both 5N63 and ■N64 have a capacity of 36 bits in this example, and correspond to the switch data of terminal refrigerators 4, 5, and 7.

The effect of the switch data 5N63 is as explained below.

That is, let us assume that a specific terminal refrigerator is now scanned.

The switch data obtained here is sent to the CPU 1, where it is compared with the switch data 5N63.

If both are the same here, it indicates that the terminal refrigerators 4, 5, and 7 were not used between the previous scan and the current scan, and 5N63 remains Σ and does not change.

If the newly obtained switch data is different from the switch data 5N63 and a specific bit has disappeared, in this case, the product corresponding to the specific bit between the previous scan and the current scan Indicates that it has been sold.

Then, the newly obtained switch data is entered into the switch data 5N63.

If the newly obtained switch data is different from the switch data 5N63 and a specific bit appears, in this case, the product shelf corresponding to the specific bit between the previous scan and the current scan. Indicates that an empty bottle or other object has been inserted into the storage hole.

In this refrigerator system, it is prohibited to return the empty bottle once it has been taken out, as it is possible that the empty bottle may be maliciously taken out of the refrigerator, eaten or eaten, and then returned to the refrigerator.

Therefore, if a situation occurs in which an empty bottle or the like whose contents have been eaten or eaten is returned to the refrigerator, the switch data 5N63 will remain unchanged.
Without changing the buzzer on command code oooi
and sends a terminal control signal 11 to this refrigerator.

A buzzer built into the refrigerator will then sound to alert the customer.

In this state, scanning continues, and the buzzer continues to sound until the bit corresponding to the illegally inserted object disappears.

When this bit disappears, a buzzer-off command code 0010 is sent to the terminal control signal 11 to stop the buzzer from ringing.

When the refrigerator buzzer sounds, the buzzer in the operator console [keyboard 8] also sounds, so if the buzzer does not stop sounding for a long time, it is assumed that some kind of malfunction has occurred, and the staff determines that a command from the operator console must be issued. It is also possible to forcibly send the terminal control signal 11 to stop the buzzer sounding.

64 belonging to the initial switch data area 62 in FIG. 7 stores switch data at the time of check-in of the Nth refrigerator.

When the Nth part is checked in, the contents of the switch data 5N63 at that time are entered into the initial switch data ■N64.

This value does not change unless the refrigerator is refilled with products during the process, and at checkout, it is compared with lN64°5N63, and it is determined that the product corresponds to the bit that exists in lN64 but disappears in 5N63. Settlement will be made assuming that the item has been sold.

The sales quantity counter area 65 shown in FIG. 8 may be provided instead of the initial switch data area 620 shown in FIG. 7.

The sales quantity counter PN66 consists of counters for various products, seeds and seedlings sold by the refrigerator, and corresponds to a specific refrigerator.

Moreover, its configuration is determined at the time of system design.

Now, when a check-in is performed in the Nth room, the counter PN66 is cleared.

Thereafter, every time a product in the refrigerator is sold, 5N63 changes, the product type of the bit with the change of 5N63 is detected, and the value is accumulated in the counter for that type.

Of course, as mentioned above, when an empty bottle or the like is inserted into the 5N63, the buzzer will still sound without any change.

When checking out, payment is made based on the data accumulated in the counter PN66.

Regardless of the method, the effect of 5N63 is the same, which means that the status of all terminal refrigerators can be constantly monitored.

As described above, in the refrigerator system of the present invention, each time the terminal refrigerator is equipped with an alarm device and receives product switch group data, it compares the product switch group data stored in the storage device with the product switch group data and determines whether the terminal refrigerator is already in a consumption state. The device detects that the product switch has changed to the non-consumption state and starts operating the alarm device of the terminal refrigerator that has the switch built in.This alarm can cause the customer to drop empty bottles or other objects out of malice or mischief. It is possible to issue an alarm when a product is placed in a product storage shelf, thereby preventing accidents such as damage to the conventional mechanical locking mechanism.

[Brief Description of the Drawings] Fig. 1 is a block diagram of the refrigerator system according to the present invention, Fig. 2 is a format diagram of data blocks on the transmission cable connecting the terminal refrigerator and the central processing unit, and Fig. 3 is the terminal refrigerator Figures 4 and 5 are block diagrams of the data control circuit of the terminal refrigerator.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the transmission cable control circuit of the central processing section, and FIGS. 7 and 8 are examples of allocation diagrams of various data areas in the storage device of the central processing section. 18... Serial/parallel converter, 21...
...Command Tecoder, 22, 25...One Shot, 24.27...Solenoid, 32...
...Parallel-serial converter, 33...
Data selector, 34, switch matrix, 36.
...The controllers are shown respectively.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1 A terminal refrigerator equipped with a group of product switches that detect the presence of products at the product storage position of a honeycomb-shaped product storage shelf, and data from the switch group is sent to a central processing unit in a time-sharing manner through a common transmission cable for each terminal. The central processing unit is equipped with a storage device that has means for constant transmission and has a storage area in one-to-one correspondence with each switch in the product switch group of each terminal refrigerator,
In a centrally managed refrigerator system in which the latest product switch group data is always stored in the storage area, an alarm device is installed in the terminal refrigerator, and each time product switch group data is received, it is stored in the storage device. If it is detected that a product switch that was already in a consumption state has changed to a non-consumption state by comparing it with the data of a group of product switches that were
A centrally controlled refrigerator system characterized by starting the operation of an alarm device of a terminal refrigerator incorporating the switch.