JPS6211394B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to a continuous vending control device in a vending machine.

<Conventional technology> Single-item vending machines automatically start dispensing change when a single sale ends.
In the case of continuous sales type products, it is not easy to determine when the purchase has ended, and some kind of ingenuity is required to automatically dispense change. Conventionally, as shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. 55-48348,
When the balance of the input amount (that is, the amount of change) becomes less than the minimum set price of the sold product, change is automatically paid out and the continuous sale is ended.

<Problems to be solved by the invention> However, this has the following disadvantages. In general, when determining whether a sale is possible, not only the comparison result between the input amount and the set price is taken into consideration, but also the presence or absence of change coins, so if there is a shortage of change, it is determined that the sale is possible even if the sales set price is less than the input amount. It may not be done. In such a case, a situation arises in which change is not dispensed even though the item cannot be sold using the conventional method described above. For example, assume that the minimum set price is 80 yen and there is another set price of 200 yen, and there is a shortage of 10 yen coins for change, but there is no shortage of 100 yen coins for change. Here, when a 500 yen coin is inserted, the set price of 200 yen, which allows change to be paid out in 100 yen coins, can be sold, and the set price of 80 yen, which does not allow change to be paid out, cannot be sold. If the purchaser purchases a product costing 200 yen twice in a row, the input balance will be 100 yen, and the amount will be 200 yen.
Products denominated in yen will no longer be sold. At this time, even the 80 yen product cannot be sold, and in the end, no product can be sold. However, since the remaining balance of 100 yen is more than the minimum price of 80 yen, no change will be paid out, and no sales or change will be made.
Of course, if the purchaser manually operates the refund request switch, the change will be paid out sooner or later, but it is undesirable for the change payment to be delayed.

This invention was made in view of the above points,
To automatically set up a change payout mode and terminate continuous sales when it is determined that sales are actually impossible, regardless of the magnitude relationship between the input amount (balance) and the minimum set price.

<Means for Solving the Problems> The continuous sales control device of the present invention includes a detection means for detecting the holding state of change coins by denomination, and a detection means for detecting the holding state of change coins by denomination, and a means for detecting the scheduled amount of change in response to a set sales price that is less than the input amount. a calculating means for calculating, a change dispensing possibility determining means for determining whether or not the scheduled amount of change can be disbursed using the held currency detected by the detecting means, and the sales set price at which it is determined that the change can be disbursed. and means for authorizing a sale at a set sales price equal to the input amount, and means for issuing a refund order on the condition that at least one sale has been made when no sales set price is authorized. The present invention is characterized in that, based on this refund instruction, the current amount of the input amount is refunded as change.

<Operation> According to the present invention, it is determined whether the sale is possible, taking into account not only the input amount and the sales set price, but also the shortage of change money, and when it is determined that the sale is not possible, change is automatically dispensed. be done.

<Embodiment> Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In FIG. 1, an inserted money detection unit 10 detects money inserted into a vending machine and generates inserted money detection signals S1000 to S10 corresponding to the denomination. As an example, S1000 is a thousand yen bill, S
500 is a 500 yen coin (or banknote), S100 is
A 100 yen coin, S50 corresponds to a 50 yen coin, and S10 corresponds to a 10 yen coin. The inserted coin number counting unit 11 by denomination counts the number of inserted coins (amount) by denomination based on the inserted coin detection signals S1000 to S10 by denomination. The input amount counting section 12 sums up the contents of the input amount counting section 11 for each denomination to obtain the total value K of the input amount. The total value of this input amount K
As described below, decreases each time collection control or change disbursement control is performed, and in fact indicates the balance of the input amount (before a sale is made, the entire input amount corresponds to the balance). ing.

The sales price storage unit 13 stores data indicating sales prices SP1 to SPn for each product given from a price setting switch (not shown). For example, when the input amount K is 0, that is, in a standby state, SP1 to SPn are written to the storage unit 13. The comparison calculation unit 14 compares the data indicating the input amount K given from the input amount calculation unit 12 with the sales set prices SP1 to SPn of each product given from the sales set price storage unit 13, and determines that K≧
It is determined for each set price SP1 to SPn whether or not SPi (where i=1, 2,...n) holds true, and the calculation "K-SPi=Ri" is performed to calculate the input amount K and the set price SPi. The difference amount, that is, the estimated amount of change Ri, is calculated, and data indicating this estimated amount of change Ri is output for each decimal digit (R1000i, R100i, R10i). Here, if "K≧SPi" is established, it means that an amount K that is greater than or equal to the set price SPi has been invested, and if there is no shortage of stored coins for change, the product related to the set price SPi will be sold. It means possible. In addition, the planned change amount Ri is
This is not the amount of change that should actually be paid out, but the amount of change that would be required if it were assumed that the input amount K would be used to sell the product at the set price SPi. R
1000i indicates the value of the thousand (1000 yen) digit in this scheduled change amount Ri, R100i indicates the value of the hundred (100 yen) digit, and R10i indicates the value of the tens (10 yen) digit.

The comparison (K≧SPi) and calculation (K−SPi=Ri) in the comparison calculation unit 14 are performed in a time-sharing manner for each set price SPi in accordance with the time-sharing timing pulses t1 to tn. For this purpose, the time division timing pulse t
1 to tn are given to the sales set price storage unit 13 and the comparison calculation unit 14, and the data indicating each set price SP1 to SPn stored in the storage unit 13 is time-shared according to the pulses t1 to tn. read out,
This is added to the comparison calculation section 14.

The change money holding count unit 15 counts the number of change money held in the vending machine by denomination. RC1000 indicates the number of 1,000 yen paper sheets held for change, RC500 indicates the number of 500 yen paper sheets held,
RC100 is 100 yen, RC50 is 50 yen, RC10 is 10
Indicates the number of yen held. A coin storage device (not shown) for change is provided for each denomination, and the coins inserted are automatically replenished into the storage device corresponding to the denomination, and the coins to be dispensed from the vending machine as change or return money. is dispensed from the storage device corresponding to the denomination. The change coin holding number counting unit 15 adds and counts the number of coins replenished to the change coin storage device, and subtracts and counts the number of coins paid out from there, thereby calculating the amount of coins currently held in the storage device. Number of sheets from RC1000 to RC10
demand. That is, the counting unit 15 adds and counts the number of inserted coins for each denomination based on the input coin detection signals S1000 to S10 for each denomination, and adds and counts the number of inserted coins for each denomination based on the coin payout confirmation signals OS10 to 1000 for each denomination given from the money dispensing mechanism unit 16. The number of coins originally paid out is subtracted and counted.

By the way, when the change money storage device becomes full, the coins inserted thereafter overflow from the storage device and are stored in a cash box (not shown). Therefore, when the change money storage device becomes full, an overflow signal OVF is generated corresponding to the denomination and is applied to the counter 15. In the counting section 15, the overflow signal
Addition counting of input coins corresponding to denominations in which OVF has occurred is prohibited, and input coins that have not been replenished to the storage device are not included in the account. Methods for inhibiting addition when an overflow signal is generated include, for example, blocking the input coin detection signals S1000 to S10 corresponding to the denomination for which the overflow signal OVF is occurring to prevent actual addition; An appropriate method may be used, such as adding the money but subtracting the money that overflows and goes to the cash box so that the input money is not actually added.

The change storage device can be a cassette-type device that is detachable from the changer mechanism of the vending machine. When a cassette-type device is used, it is convenient because the entire coin storage device can be removed from the changer mechanism when collecting money, and the stored coins can be discharged all at once. After the coins are ejected, the empty storage device is attached to the changer mechanism again, but since the coins are not ejected at this time by the coin dispensing mechanism section 16,
No subtraction is performed in the change coin holding number counting unit 15. Therefore, even though the inside of the storage device is empty, the contents of the counter 15 may show a value as if money were stored. In order to eliminate such inconveniences, a reset signal RR is generated when the cassette type change storage device is removed from the changer mechanism, and this reset signal is
All contents of counting section 15 by RR from RC1000 to
All you have to do is reset RC10.

On the other hand, if the cassette-type storage device is once removed, but the coins inside are not ejected or all of them are ejected and the appropriate number of coins are manually replenished and the device is reinstalled, resetting the counting section 15 becomes more inconvenient. In order to deal with such a case, the outputs EP1000 to EP of the change shortage detection means 17, which will be described later, are
10 may be used to control the reset (or preset). For example, if it is specified that when a cassette-type storage device is removed, it is always reinstalled with a predetermined number of sheets held, the counter 15 can be initialized to the predetermined number by the reset signal RR generated at the time of removal. You may also do so.

As described above, in the coin storage device for change, there is a possibility that coins are sometimes supplied or discharged manually. In that case, it would be more preferable if the manual input and withdrawal of money is accurately reflected in the change coin holding number counting unit 15, but even if this is not the case, the present invention can be practiced without any inconvenience. In other words, even if the counting unit 15 adds and subtracts only the input money and the dispensed money, since most of the money coming in and out of the vending machine is due to these, the increase or decrease in the number of coins held for change can be grasped without any inconvenience. .

The change shortage detection means 17 is known as an empty sensor, and consists of sensors arranged at a predetermined number of positions in the change storage device for each denomination. Generally, the predetermined number of coins position where the empty sensor is placed is a position corresponding to the maximum number of coins of the denomination or a slightly higher number when the coins of the denomination are dispensed at one time as change. The detection means 1
Change shortage detection signal EP by denomination output from 7
1000 to EP10, EP1000 is a thousand yen coin,
EP500 is a 500 yen coin, EP100 is a 100 yen coin, EP
50 corresponds to a 50 yen coin, and EP10 corresponds to a 10 yen coin. If the number of coins stored for change of a certain denomination is greater than or equal to the predetermined number, a corresponding shortage detection signal EP1000 is sent.
EP10 to EP10 indicate that "change is available" (for example, "1"), and if the number is less than a predetermined number, it indicates that "change is insufficient" (for example, "0").

Since the number of change coins in possession counting unit 15 counts the number of coins RC1000 to RC10 in possession for each denomination, there is some overlap in the functions of the change shortage detection means 17 and the counting unit 15, but as described above. When coins are manually supplied or discharged from the change coin storage device, the contents of the counter 15 may become unreliable. is useful for checking the reliability of the counting section 15. On the other hand, even if a shortage of change is detected by the change shortage detection means 17, there is a possibility that a small amount of money is still stored in the change money storage device. In such a case, the presence of stored coins can be confirmed by the counter 15. In this way, if the change currency counting unit 15 and change shortage detection means 17 are used together,
Since the two are complementary, effective detection of the amount of change money held can be performed.

The change dispensing possibility determination unit 18 includes a comparison calculation unit 14
The comparison result (K≧SPi) given by and each digit data of the expected change amount Ri R1000i, R100
i, R10i, and change coin holding number counting unit 15
Data on the number of change coins held for each denomination from RC1000 to RC10 given from , and a change shortage detection signal for each denomination given from the change shortage detection means 17
Based on EP1000 to EP10, it is determined whether the scheduled change amount Ri can be paid out using the change coins currently held, and if it is possible to pay out (including the case where Ri=0 of course), K≧ A sales enable signal Vi is output on the condition that SPi is established.
To determine whether or not to pay out change, check each digit R1 of the change amount Ri.
000i, R100i, R10i and the number of change coins of the denomination corresponding to the digit RC1000 to RC1000
This is done by comparing each with RC10.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the procedure for determining whether a product can be sold, which is executed by the comparison calculation section 14 and the change dispensing possibility determination section 18. This sale possibility determination program starts when "money has been deposited", that is, when the deposited amount K reaches some value other than 0. First, in step 19, it is determined whether the sales set price SPi is 0 or not. When SPi is 0, it is meaningless to determine whether the item can be sold, so return to the start (RTN). SPi
When is not 0, the process moves to step 20 via the NO route of step 19. In step 20, “Ri=
K-SPi'' is performed to find the difference between the input amount K and the set price SPi, that is, the expected change amount Ri.
In step 21, it is determined whether the difference Ri is 0 or more. Determining whether “Ri≧0” holds true is equivalent to determining whether “K≧SPi” holds true. Step 21 judgment is NO
In the case of , it means that the input amount K is smaller than the selling price SPi, and it is impossible to sell, so return to the start (RTN). Step 21 decision
If YES, it means that the input amount K is the same as the selling price SPi (Ri = 0) or higher (Ri > 0), and the process from step 22 onward will determine whether or not change can be paid out. Determine. step
The processes 19, 20, and 21 correspond to the processes in the comparison calculation section 14 in FIG.

In step 22, a change detection signal for thousand yen coins is detected.
Based on EP1000, it is determined whether there is a shortage of 1,000 yen coins for change. If there is a shortage, in Step 23, enter the number of 1,000 yen change coins RC1000 and the thousand digit value R1 of the expected change amount Ri.
000i to determine whether "RC1000≧R1000i" holds true. When EP1000 indicates ``change available'', step 23 is skipped and step 24 is performed. If step 23 is NO, the change R1000i in the 1,000 yen digit cannot be paid out, so it is determined that the sale is not possible and the process returns to the start (RTN). If step 23 is YES, it means that even if the lack of change detection means 17 detects a lack of change in thousand yen coins, there are enough RC1000 coins to pay out the thousand-digit change amount R1000i, and therefore, It is determined that this thousand-digit change R1000i can be paid out, and the process moves to step 24.
In addition, when EP1000 indicates "change available", it means that the number of thousand yen coins held is greater than the maximum number of coins that can be paid out at one time, so change R1000i in thousand digits is required.
can of course be paid out.

In step 24, a change detection signal for 100 yen coins is detected.
Based on EP100, it is determined whether there is a shortage of 100 yen coins for change. If there is not enough, go to step 25 to change the number of 100 yen coins held.
RC100 is compared with the hundreds digit R100i of the planned change amount Ri, and it is determined whether "RC100≧R100i" holds true. If this judgment is YES, even if a shortage of 100 yen coins is detected, the change amount in the hundreds digit is R1.
The number of 100 yen coins held is RC10, which is enough to pay out 00i.
It means that 0 exists. Therefore, it is determined that this hundred-digit change R100i can be paid out, and the process moves to step 26. On the other hand, if the EP 100 indicates that there is change, the process skips step 25 and proceeds to step 26. When EP100 indicates "change available", it means that the number of hundred yen coins held is greater than the maximum number of coins that can be paid out at one time, so change R100i in the hundreds digit can naturally be paid out.

If step 25 is NO, change in the hundreds digit R10
0i means that the amount is larger than the number of hundred yen coins held, RC100, and in this case, it is determined whether or not the hundred-digit change R100i can be paid out using 500 yen coins. First, in step 72, R100
Determine whether or not i is 5 or more; if NO, go to return (RTN); if YES, go to step 27
Move to. Next, in step 27, it is determined whether there is a shortage of 500 yen coins for change based on the 500 yen change shortage detection signal EP500.
If yes, move on to step 28, subtract 5 from the hundred digit R100i of the change Ri, and write the result of the subtraction to R.
Replace with 100i. Therefore, R100i obtained in step 28 indicates the number of 100 yen coins when the hundred digit change R100i is paid in combination with 500 yen coins and 100 yen coins. In the next step 29, the same judgment as in step 25 described above (whether RC100≧R100i holds true) is made. However, R100i has become a value 5 less than that at step 25 due to the subtraction at step 28. Therefore, even if "RC100≧R100i" does not hold true at step 25, it may hold true at step 29. If this step 29 is YES, change of hundred digit R10
This means that 0i can be paid out in a combination of 500 yen coins and 100 yen coins, and the process moves to step 26. step 29
If is NO, it means that the hundred digit change R100i cannot be paid out either as a 100 yen coin alone or as a combination of a 500 yen coin and a 100 yen coin, and the process returns to the start (RTN).

On the other hand, if it is determined at step 27 that there is a shortage of 500 yen coins for change, the process moves to step 30, and the number of 500 yen coins held for change in the counting section 15 is RC50.
Determine whether 0 is 0 or not. "RC500=0"
If YES, change R100i in the hundreds digit for 500
This means that you cannot pay out in yen (even 100 yen coins), and you will return to the start (RTN). “RC500＝
If "0" is NO, the process moves to step 28, and step 29 is further executed in the same manner as described above.

In step 26, a change detection signal for 10 yen coins is detected.
Based on EP10, it is determined whether there is a shortage of 10 yen coins for change. If there is a shortage, in step 31, compare the number of 10 yen coins held for change RC10 and the tenth digit R10i of the change amount Ri, and check that "RC10≧
R10i" is established. If this determination is YES, it means that even if a shortage of 10 yen coins is detected, the number of 10 yen coins held is RC10, which is enough to pay out the ten-digit change amount R10i. Therefore, it is determined that the tens digit change amount R10i can also be paid out, and the process moves to step 32. On the other hand, if EP10 indicates "Change available"
This means that the number of 10 yen coins held is greater than the maximum number of coins that can be paid out at one time, so ten digit change R10i
Of course, it can be paid out, and the process skips step 31 and moves to step 32.

If step 31 is NO, ten digit change R10
This means that i is larger than the number of 10 yen coins RC10, and in this case, it is determined whether or not the R10i can be paid out using 50 yen coins. First, in step 73, it is determined whether R10i is 5 or more, and if NO, the process goes to return (RTN).
If YES, proceed to step 33. Next, in step 33, a change detection signal EP of 50 yen coins is detected.
50, it is determined whether there is a shortage of 50 yen coins for change. If "Yes", the process moves to step 34, subtracts 5 from R10i, and replaces R10i with the result of the subtraction. In the next step 35, the same judgment as in step 31 is made, ``RC10≧R10i'', but R10i at this time is a value 5 less than R10i at step 31. On the other hand, if you do not have enough 50 yen coins for change, proceed from step 33 to step 36.
Then, it is determined whether the number of 50 yen coins held for change, RC50, is 0. When RC50=0, it means that the thousand digit change R10i cannot be paid out in 50 yen coins (of course, in 10 yen coins), and the process returns to the start (RTN). If "RC50=0" is NO, steps 34 and 35 are executed. Therefore, if the ten-digit change R10i can be paid out in a combination of 50 yen coins and 10 yen coins, the process proceeds to step 32 via the YES route of step 35.

Step 32 outputs a sellable signal Vi, and then returns to the start (RTN). As mentioned above, the difference between the input amount K and the sales set price SPi, that is, the amount R1000i, R100i of each digit of the change amount Ri,
R10i is compared with the number of change coins RC1000 to RC10 of the denomination corresponding to that digit, and when change of all digits can be paid out, it is determined that the change can be sold. Of course, in the case of sales that do not require change,
In other words, if Ri=0, steps 23, 25, 31
is always YES, so even if the number of held coins RC1000 to RC10 are all 0, the sellable signal Vi is generated.

As an example, when the input amount K is 500 yen and the sales set price SPi is 200 yen and 80 yen, the number of 100 yen coins held for change is RC100.
The explanation will be given assuming that the number of 10 yen coins held is "5" and the number of 10 yen coins RC10 is "1". First, if SPi=200,
The expected amount of change is Ri = 300, and the thousandth digit is R100.
0i=0, hundreds digit R100i-3, tens digit R10
i=0. Therefore, steps 23, 25, and 31 are all YES, and a sellable signal Vi is generated. On the other hand, when SPi=80, Ri=420, R10
00i=0, R100i=4, R10i=2, steps 23 and 25 are YES, but step
Since step 31 is NO and step 35 is also NO, it is determined that the product cannot be sold (assuming, of course, that EP10 indicates a shortage).

If the number of change coins in possession corresponding to the same digit is insufficient, the determination may be made by transferring the number of change coins in the lower digit. In that case, when determining the lower digits, the number of transferred sheets shall be excluded from the determination. For example, R100i
If 10 coins are transferred from RC10 to RC100 when determining R10i, RC10 will be transferred when determining R10i.
Exclude 10 cards from the list and make a judgment.

FIG. 3 shows an example in which the change payout determination section 18 of FIG. 1 is constructed by a discrete circuit, and performs the same function as the processing from step 22 onward of FIG. 2. The comparison section 36 compares the thousands digit R1000i of the planned change amount Ri, and compares "RC1000≧R1000i" and "RC500÷2".
≧R1000i” are compared in two ways. Each comparison result is provided to an OR circuit 37. The remaining input to the OR circuit 37 is the lack of change detection signal EP of 1,000 yen coins.
1000 is added. "RC1000≧R1000i" is the same as the comparison in step 23 of FIG. 2, and "1" is output when the number of thousand yen coins held for change RC1000 is equal to or greater than R1000i. “RC500÷2≧
R1000i" is the number of 500 yen coins held for change, RC500, divided by 2 and transferred to the number of 1,000 yen coins, which is R10.
It is compared to see if it is greater than or equal to 00i.
If the thousand-digit change R1000i can be paid out in 500 yen coins, this comparison output will be "1". Also, if there is clearly no shortage of 1,000 yen coins for change, please turn on the signal.
EP1000 is “1”. Therefore, when the thousand-digit change R1000i can be paid out, any input signal of the OR circuit 37 is "1", and its output becomes "1".

The comparison part 38 is the hundreds digit R100 of the planned change amount Ri.
It performs a comparison regarding i, and 3 is explained next.
Do a street comparison. "RC100≧R100i" is the same as the comparison in step 25 in FIG.
"RC100≧R100i-5" is the same as the processing in steps 28 and 29 in Figure 2, and "5" is subtracted from R100i, resulting in R1 for the combination of 500 yen coins and 100 yen coins.
Calculate the number of 100 yen coins when paying out 00i, and if this is 0 or more and the number of 100 yen coins held RC
Compare whether it is 100 or less. When this comparison condition is satisfied, "1" is applied to the AND circuit 40. The other input of the AND circuit 40 is for change.
A 500 yen coin shortage detection signal EP500 and a signal indicating the number of 500 yen coins held for change RC500 are applied via an OR circuit 41. When RC500 is not 0 or EP500 is “1”, that is, for change.
OR circuit 4 when there are some 500 yen coins
1 becomes "1", and the AND circuit 40 becomes operational. Therefore, the hundred digit change R100i
When it is possible to pay out a combination of 500 yen coins and 100 yen coins, or when it is possible to pay out 500 yen coins alone (when R100i-5=0), the output of the AND circuit 40 becomes "1", and the output is given to the OR circuit 39. It will be done. "RC50÷2≧R100i" is to divide the number of 50 yen coins held for change RC50 by 2, transfer it to the number of 100 yen coins, and compare whether this is equal to or greater than R100i. If the hundred digit change R100i can be paid out in 50 yen coins, this comparison output will be "1",
The signal is applied to the OR circuit 39. The other input of the OR circuit 39 is given a 100 yen change coin shortage detection signal EP100. With the above configuration, hundred digit change R
When 100i can be paid out, any input signal of the OR circuit 39 is "1", and its output becomes "1".

The comparison unit 42 calculates the tens digit R10i of the planned change amount Ri.
The following two types of comparisons are performed. "RC10≧R10i" is step 31 in Figure 2
It is the same as the comparison of 10 yen coins for change, and the number of 10 yen coins held for change
Outputs “1” when RC10 is greater than R10i,
It is applied to the OR circuit 45. “RC10≧R10i−5” is
This is the same process as steps 34 and 35 in Figure 2, and subtracts "5" from R10i to find the number of 10 yen coins when paying out R10i with a combination of 50 yen coins and 10 yen coins. Compare whether the number of 10 yen coins held is RC10 or less. When this comparison condition is satisfied, “1” is sent to the AND circuit 43.
is given. Other inputs of the AND circuit 43 are supplied via an OR circuit 44 with a 50 yen change coin shortage detection signal EP50 and a signal indicating the number of 50 yen change coins held RC50. When RC50 is not 0 or when EP50 is "1", that is, when there are some 50 yen coins for change, the output of the OR circuit 44 becomes "1" and the AND circuit 43 becomes operational. Therefore, if R10i can be paid out in a combination of 50 yen coins and 10 yen coins (or 50 yen coins alone), the output of the AND circuit 43 becomes "1" and is applied to the OR circuit 45. The remaining inputs of the OR circuit 45 are supplied with a 10 yen change coin shortage detection signal EP10. With the above configuration, ten digit change R10
When i can be paid out, any input signal of the OR circuit 45 is "1", and its output is "1"
becomes.

The outputs of OR circuits 37, 39 and 45 are applied to AND circuit 46. The output of AND circuit 46 is applied to AND circuit 47. The other input of the AND circuit 47 is inputted from the comparison calculation unit 14 (FIG. 1) with “K≧
A comparison output of ``SPi'' is provided, and a signal is also provided from the money collection and money dispensing control section 48 (FIG. 1). This signal is a signal that becomes "0" when the money collection and money dispensing control unit 48 is performing its control operation as described later or when it is not desirable to make a sales possibility determination, and normally it becomes "1". ” is. When the input amount K is the same as or larger than the sales price SPi, “K≧
SPi" comparison output is "1", and each digit of the expected change amount Ri is R1000i, R100i, R
When 10i can be paid out using the stored coins for change, the output of the AND circuit 46 becomes "1", and the condition of the AND circuit 47 is satisfied. AND circuit 47
The output is outputted from the determination unit 18 as a sellable signal Vi. When the signal Vi is "1", it indicates that the product is available for sale, and when it is "0", it indicates that it is not available for sale. In this embodiment, the sellability determination is made in a time-sharing manner for each price SP1 to SPn, so SPi, R1000i, R1000
Vi also changes every time i and R10i change.

In FIG. 1, a sales enable signal for each price is outputted in a time-sharing manner from the change dispensing availability determining unit 18.
Vi is given to the sales enable signal storage control section 49. In the storage control unit 49, the signal Vi is commonly input to AND circuits 50-1 to 50-n.
Time division timing pulses t1 to tn are input to other inputs of each AND circuit 50-1 to 50-n, respectively. The outputs of the AND circuits 50-1 to 50-n are applied to storage circuits 51-1 to 51-n, respectively. Therefore, the sales availability signal Vi for each price, which has been time-division multiplexed, is demultiplexed by the AND circuits 50-1 to 50-n and stored in the storage circuit 50.
-1 to 50-n are stored separately.

Each sale enable signal V1 to Vn stored in the memory circuits 50-1 to 50-n is connected to the lines 52-1 to 52-5.
2-n to the product delivery control unit 53. In the product delivery control unit 53, the sales enable signal V
A sellable display is performed corresponding to the product for which 1 to Vn has occurred (becomes "1"). When the purchaser confirms the sellable display and operates a selection switch (not shown) for a desired product, the product payout control unit 53 outputs sellable signals V1 to Vn corresponding to the selected product.
The dispensing operation of the product is started on the condition that the product is given. At the same time, product selection signals S1 to Sn (one of S1 to Sn is "1") indicating the selected product are output to lines 52-1 to 52-n, and a sales start signal VS is output. The sales start signal VS is "1" when the product dispensing control unit 53 is performing a product dispensing operation (for example, when driving the product dispensing motor), and is "0" in other cases.

The sales start signal VS is the sales enable signal storage control unit 4
It is applied to the reset terminals R of the memory circuits 51-1 to 51-n via the OR circuit 54 of 9. Therefore, when the sales start signal VS is generated, the memory circuit 5
1-1 through 51-n are reset and all sellable signals V1 through Vn are cleared. line 52
The signals -1 to 52-n are input to the memory circuit 55, as well as to the OR circuit 56 and the NOR circuit 57. The delay circuit 58 delays the sales start signal VS by a short time (about several microseconds) and applies it to the write control terminal L of the storage circuit 55. Therefore, the memory circuit 51-
Immediately after lines 1 through 51-n are reset, storage circuit 55 enters a write mode and stores the signals on lines 52-1 through 52-n. At this time, line 52
-1 to 52-n are given only product selection signals S1 to Sn from the product payout control unit 53,
In the end, the memory circuit 55 stores the product selection signals S1 to Sn.
is memorized.

Note that the product selection signal S is sent from the product payout control unit 53.
The time for outputting 1 to Sn is, for example, 300ms to
This is a fixed time of about 500 ms, and after this time elapses, the signals S1 to Sn fall to "0". Control unit 5
3, as is well known, the sell ready signals V1 to V1 are activated by relays or other switching circuits.
Match Vn with the output of the product selection switch, and on the condition that the sellable signals V1 to Vn corresponding to the product operated by the selection switch are generated, the relay or switching circuit is held in the state and the product is dispensed. At the same time, product selection signals S1 to Sn are output.

Product selection signals S1~ stored in the storage circuit 55
Sn is supplied to the collection and money payout control section 48. This money collection and money payout control unit 48 mainly controls the set price of the sold product from the input amount K.
Control to subtract SPi (any one of SP1 to SPn) (this is called collection control), change payout control, refund control (control to refund the input amount K),
It executes input rejection control and other controls (for example, inventory control or input number limit control), and since it is conventionally known, its internal configuration is not particularly shown. First, "receipt control" will be explained. This is executed when the sales start signal VS is given. The data of each setting price SPi read out in a time-sharing manner from the sales setting price storage unit 13 is processed by a time-sharing timing pulse t1.
~tn is used to demultiplex each price SP1 to SPn, and a single set price SPi (one of SP1 to SPn) corresponding to the product selection signals S1 to Sn stored in the storage circuit 55 is demultiplexed. Select and memorize. In this way, the set price SPi of the product just sold is selected, and this value is subtracted from the input amount K. Any method of subtraction may be used.
For example, a value corresponding to the set price SPi is subtracted from the count content of the input number counting unit 11 for each denomination, or the content of the count unit 11 is reset and SPi is subtracted from the input amount K held in the input amount calculation unit 12.
Any suitable method may be used. In addition, when subtracting from the contents of the denomination-specific counter 11, first subtract the SPi value from the number of coins inserted for high-value denominations, or always subtract from the number of coins inserted for low-value denominations. If the coins run out, an appropriate method can be used, such as transferring the number of coins of high denominations to low denominations. Regardless of which collection method (subtraction method) is adopted, when the collection control is completed, the input amount K in the input amount calculation unit 12 indicates the value obtained by subtracting the set price SPi from the initial input amount, that is, the balance of the input amount. value.

Change payout control or refund control is executed when refund command signal RM is given from refund command sending section 59. When the money dispensing control unit 48 receives the refund command signal RM, it controls the money dispensing mechanism unit 16 to dispense money corresponding to the input amount (or its remaining amount) K calculated by the input amount counting unit 12. Money is paid out one by one. The currency dispensing mechanism section 16 returns a dispensing confirmation signal to the control section 48 each time it disburses one coin of the denomination designated by the control section 48 . The control section 48 subtracts the amount of paid money from the amount K of the calculation section 12. (or 1 in the input number counter 11 of the denomination corresponding to the currency)
). At the same time, the payout confirmation OS _{10 to 1000} corresponding to the paid out money is given to the change coin holding count unit 15, and the contents of the count unit 15 are subtracted, as described above. In this way, along with the withdrawal of money, the input amount (or remaining amount)
K continues to decrease, and when K=0 finally, the money dispensing control ends. Similar to the above-mentioned money receipt control, there are various methods for money payout control and subtraction methods, and any of them may be adopted. For example, coins of each denomination are paid out in combination according to the number of coins of each denomination held in the input coin number counting section 11.
Alternatively, the amount K in the input amount counter 12 is paid out in order using change coins of the highest possible denomination, or each digit (R1000i, R100i, R100i, R100i, R1
Any method may be used, such as paying out the value of 0i) using change coins corresponding to that digit. The money payout control unit 48 performs the above-mentioned money payout control operation based on the refund command signal RM, whether it is a change payout, a full refund of the amount invested due to cancellation, or a refund based on other automatic refund control. Execute. In addition, the refund command signal is issued during payment control.
It goes without saying that when RM is given, money dispensing control is performed after the money collection control is completed.

The money collection and money dispensing control unit 48 uses a money rejection electromagnetic device (CREM) when inputting money should be rejected.
60 to prohibit the insertion of money. When the electromagnetic device 60 prohibits money insertion, the inserted money is returned before it reaches the inserted money detection section 10, and the money is not accepted or counted. There are various cases as known in the past as cases in which money injection should be refused. For example, there are cases where there is a risk that inconvenience may occur if money is accepted, such as during money dispensing control, a power outage, a failure, when the sales set price SPi is not set (zero), or during inventory control. In addition, during the above-mentioned money collection control, if there is a possibility that accepting money would cause an inconvenience, the electromagnetic device 60 may be controlled to refuse the insertion of money.

The signal given from the collection and money payout control unit 48 to the change payout permission determination unit 18 is normally “1”.
However, when the control unit 48 is performing money collection control, money dispensing control such as change/refund, or money insertion refusal control, it becomes "0". The determination section 18 suppresses generation of the sales enable signal Vi when the signal is "0", that is, when the control section 48 is performing the various control operations described above. That is, the AND circuit 47 in FIG. 3 is rendered inoperable by the signal "0", and generation of the sellable signal Vi is prohibited even if the sellable determination condition is met.

The refund command sending unit 59 outputs a refund command signal RM via the OR circuit 61 when change should be paid out, when the input amount should be returned based on the purchaser's refund request, or when other automatic refunds should be made. . First, the generation of the refund command signal RM for dispensing change will be explained. The time point at which change is dispensed differs depending on whether the vending machine is a single-item vending machine or a continuous vending machine. In this embodiment, a single series changeover switch 62 can be used to arbitrarily switch between a single sale type and a continuous sale type. The switch 62
If it is connected to position a as shown in the figure, it will be a continuous sales type, and on the contrary, if it is connected to position b, it will be a single item sales type. To explain the case of single item sales, by connecting the switch 62 to position b, the AND circuit 6 is connected to the switch 62.
A signal “1” is always given to the signal “1”. AND circuit 6
The output of the one-time sale storage circuit 64 is given to the other input of 3. The one-time sale storage circuit 64 is initially reset (when the input amount K is 0), and stores "1" when the sales start signal VS is applied. Therefore, when the first sale is made after the money is inserted, "1" is stored in the memory circuit 64 by the sales start signal VS generated at that time. When "1" is stored in the memory circuit 64, the condition of the AND circuit 63 is satisfied, and the AND circuit 63 provides "1" to the OR circuit 61. As a result, the refund command signal RM output from the OR circuit 61 becomes "1".
The money collection and money payout control unit 48 issues a refund command signal.
RM is stored, and after the money collection control ends (after the sales start signal VS disappears), money dispensing control is performed based on the storage of the signal RM. Therefore, after subtracting the set price SPi of the product sold for the first time from the input amount K, the system becomes ready to pay out change, and the change is paid out. When the payout of change is completed and the content of the input amount K in the calculation section 12 becomes 0, the storage of the refund command signal RM and the storage of the one-time sale storage circuit 64 are reset. As described above, when the single-unit changeover switch 62 is connected to the single-item sales position (b), change is automatically dispensed when one sale is made.

For continuous sales type, use single series changeover switch 62
Connect to position a as shown. In this case, "0" is always given to the AND circuit 63 from the switch 62, and the AND circuit 63 becomes inoperable. Therefore, change is not paid out unconditionally for each sale, unlike when selling individual items. In this embodiment, the determination of the change payout point during continuous sales, that is, the determination of whether or not continuous sales are possible, is performed in conjunction with the determination by the comparison calculation unit 14 and the change payout permission determination unit 18 that sales are possible. When it is determined that the sale of the amount K is no longer possible at the current amount, change is automatically paid out. The output of the one-time sale storage circuit 64 is input to an AND circuit 65, and the AND circuit 65 becomes operable on the condition that at least one sale has been made. A signal obtained by inverting the output of the OR circuit 56 by an inverter 66 is input to a timer 67.
The output of is given to the other input of the AND circuit 65. The OR circuit 56 is connected to lines 52-1 to 52-n.
When any of the sellable signals V1 to Vn (or product selection signals S1 to Sn) is "1", it outputs "1". Sales enable signals V1 to Vn (or product selection signals S1 to Vn) on lines 52-1 to 52-n
When Sn) are all “0”, OR circuit 56
The output of the inverter 66 becomes "0" and the output of the inverter 66 becomes "1". The timer 67 outputs "1" when the input signal remains "1" for a certain period of time (T1) or more. The operating time T1 of the timer 67 is set to an appropriate time considering the time interval between each sales operation during continuous sales. That is, the sales enable signal V1~
This is a reasonable period of time after Vn is once erased by the sales start signal VS until it rises again for the next sale. As described above, while the control section 48 is controlling the collection of money based on the sales start signal VS, the sales enable signal Vi is inhibited by the signal. Therefore, the operating time T1 of the timer 67 is
For example, considering the time required for collection control, the time can be set as appropriate in the design, such as a time equal to or slightly longer than that, or a time that takes into account the time required for additional input of money.

First, when the first sale is made, "1" is stored in the one-time sale storage circuit 64, and the sales enable signals V1 to Vn of the storage circuits 51-1 to 51-n are stored.
is reset. Several hundred ms later, the product selection signals S1 to Sn are also erased, so line 52-1
All the signals from 52-n to 52-n become "0", and the output of inverter 66 rises to "1". This starts the operation of the timer 67. During the operating time, the output of timer 67 is still "0". Therefore, the condition of the AND circuit 65 is not satisfied, and the refund command signal RM is not generated. During this time, the control unit 48 executes collection control and subtracts the price SPi of the first sold product from the input amount K. Thereafter, the comparison calculation unit 14 and the change payout permission determination unit 18 compare the current amount K of the input amount with each set price SPi and determine whether change can be paid out (that is, the sales possibility determination regarding the second sale is executed). , the memory circuits 51-1 to 51- correspond to the set price SPi that can be sold.
Sellable Vi (“1”) is stored in n. In this way, by the time the sales availability determination results for the next sale are completed, the operating time T1 of the timer 67 has not yet ended. Therefore, if even one of the sellable signals V1 to Vn is generated (becomes "1"), the output of the inverter 66 falls to "0" and the operation of the timer 67 ends prematurely. Therefore, the condition of the AND circuit 65 is still not satisfied, and the state in which continuous sales are possible is maintained.

When the second sale is made, the sales enable signal V1
~Vn is reset and the operation of timer 67 is restarted. Thereafter, as described above, when it is determined that the next sale is possible, the operation of the timer 67 ends midway. As long as sales are possible, the condition of the AND circuit 65 is not satisfied, and therefore no change is paid out. If any product is determined to be unsellable in the second and subsequent sellable determinations, the operating time of the timer 67 continues without any sellable signals V1 to Vn being generated (the output of the inverter 66 continues to be "1"). T1
ends. Then, the timer 67 gives "1" to the AND circuit 65, the condition of the AND circuit 65 is satisfied, and the AND circuit 65 gives a signal "1" to the OR circuit 61. As a result, OR circuit 6
The refund command signal RM output from 1 becomes "1", and the collection and money dispensing control section 48 starts the change dispensing control operation.

A characteristic feature of the above-described control for determining whether continuous sales are possible or not is that the comparison calculation unit 14 and the change dispensing determination unit 18 determine whether or not continuous sales are possible (whether or not to automatically pay out change) in conjunction with the determination of whether or not continuous sales are possible. is to be determined. Therefore, even if there is a set price SPi that is less than the current high K of the input amount, if it is impossible to pay out change equivalent to the difference, it is determined that continuous sales are not possible, and change can be automatically paid out. . For example, the minimum sales price SPi is 80
Consider the case where the price is Yen and there is also a set price of 200 Yen. Here, there is a shortage of 10 yen coins for change (assuming that EP10 is "0" and RC10 is also one or less), but there is no shortage of 100 yen coins for change, and a 500 yen coin is inserted. . For "SPi = 80", which requires at least two 10 yen coins as change because the number of 10 yen coins for change is less than one, the sellable signal Vi is not generated, and change can be paid out with only 100 yen coins. "SPi=200"
A sellable signal Vi is generated with respect to. As a result, if a product costing 200 yen is sold twice in a row, the balance K of the input money will be 100 yen, and "SPi =
200", "K≧SPi" no longer holds true. Regarding "SPi=80", "K≧SPi" holds true, but since the difference of 20 yen cannot be paid out, the sale enable signal Vi is not generated as described above. Therefore, when K=100 yen, the sales enable signal Vi is no longer generated, the condition of the AND circuit 65 is satisfied, and the balance (K=100 yen) is automatically paid out as change. If the condition that disallows continuous sales is determined as before when the balance K of the input money becomes smaller than the minimum set price (80 yen), if K = 100 yen, continuous sales will still be possible. Not only will it be determined that the change is possible, but the change will not be paid out automatically, and on the other hand, the sales will not be permitted due to the determination that the change cannot be paid out, causing the inconvenience that you will not be able to get the product or the change (of course, the change will be returned later). However, it is possible to issue a refund by manually operating the refund request switch). However, this invention does not have such disadvantages.

If the user desires a refund of the input amount (or remaining amount) K, the refund request switch 68 is operated. The switch 6
8 turns on, a signal "1" is given to the OR circuit 61, and the refund command signal RM becomes "1". As a result, the control unit 48 performs control to pay out money corresponding to the input amount (or remaining amount) K.

The following two columns are shown in FIG. 1 as examples of automatic refund control other than change payout. One of them is a timer 69, and this timer 69 has an OR circuit 56.
The output of is input. This timer 69, like the timer 67, outputs "1" when the input signal continues to be "1" for a certain period of time (T2) or more. However, the operating time T2 of the timer 69 is much longer than the operating time T1 of the timer 67. That is, the time T2 is set to a longer time than the time during which the sales enable signals V1 to Vn or the product selection signals S1 to Sn last during normal operation. Therefore, under normal conditions, the output of the OR circuit 56 falls to "0" before the operating time T2 of the timer 69 has elapsed, the operation of the timer 69 ends midway, and the output is always "0". However, if an abnormality occurs in which the sellable signals V1 to Vn or the product selection signals V1 to Vn continue to appear, the operating time T2 of the timer 69 ends while the output of the OR circuit 56 continues to be "1", and the corresponding product selection signal V1 to Vn continues to appear. “1” from timer 69 to OR circuit 61
is given. As a result, a refund command signal RM is given from the OR circuit 61 to the control unit 48, and the deposit is automatically returned.

Further, if the sales start signal VS is given even though the sales enable signals V1 to Vn are not generated, the condition of the AND circuit 70 is satisfied, and the refund command signal RM is generated via the OR circuit 61. . The AND circuit 70 receives the output of a differentiating circuit 71 that differentiates the rising edge of the sales start signal VS, and the output of the NOR circuit 57. When no sellable signals V1 to Vn are applied to the lines 52-1 to 52-n, the output of the NOR circuit 57 becomes "1". Therefore, if the sales start signal VS is given even though the sales enable signals V1 to Vn have not been generated, the condition of the AND circuit 70 is met momentarily when the signal VS rises, and the refund command signal RM is generated. Ru. Control unit 48
Then, as described above, the signal RM is stored and the money dispensing mode is entered, and the money rejection electromagnetic device 60 is controlled to set the money insertion rejection state. Note that when the sales start signal VS is generated during normal operation, the sales ready signals V1 to Vn are reset, but at this time, in order to prevent the conditions of the AND circuit 70 from being satisfied, the signals are reset after the output pulse of the differentiating circuit 71 disappears. Memory circuit 51
It goes without saying that an appropriate time delay should be set so that the outputs of -1 to 51-n fall to "0" to avoid any inconvenience. However, since the circuit for this purpose is not related to the gist of the present invention, illustration thereof is omitted in FIG.

It should be noted that other appropriate reset signals are applied to other inputs of the OR circuit 54 in the sellable signal storage control section 49. For example, when a signal H obtained by inverting the above signal is added and the sale possibility determination is prohibited by the signal "0", the memory circuit 51-1
to 51-n are reset. Alternatively, when the input amount K is 0, the zero signal Ro output from the counter 12 is added, and when K=0, the memory circuits 51-1 to 51-n are reset. Furthermore, the zero signal Ro indicating K=0 is given to various memory circuits in the vending machine (excluding at least the counting section 15 and the memory section 13), and the memory contents are stored when K=0, that is, when the vending operation is finished or when the vending machine is on standby. It is also well known that the Although not shown in FIG. 1, it goes without saying that the input amount (or its balance) K calculated by the input amount calculating section 12 is displayed on the amount display.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the sales enable signals V1 to Vn and the product selection signals S1 to Sn are sent and received via the common lines 52-1 to 52-n, but the present invention is not limited to this, and separate lines can be used. Of course, it is also possible to send and receive the information using the same method. In that case, the OR circuit 56 and the NOR circuit 57 receive the sellable signal V1~
Vn is input, and the product selection signal S1 is sent to the memory circuit 55.
Enter ~Sn. Alternatively, the timer 67 may be configured to use a control signal from the control unit 48 or other parts to estimate whether the next sale possibility determination has been made, without using a timer. In addition, the comparison between each set price SPi and the input amount K is performed in two steps (first, a comparison with the total price SPi, and then a comparison with the selected price SPi), as shown in the specification of Japanese Patent Application No. (Comparison with single price SPi)
It may also be done by.

Incidentally, the denomination counted by the change coin holding count unit 15 or the denomination detected by the change coin shortage detection means 17, that is, the denomination of the stored change coin used by the change dispensing permission determination unit 18, is the same as the above example. Of course, there is no limit. For example, if the denominations used as change coins are 500 yen coins, 100 yen coins, 50 yen coins, and 10 yen coins, the means for counting the number of held coins and the means for detecting shortage of 1000 yen coins are unnecessary. In addition, the change dispensing possibility determination unit 18 does not need to use all the denominations of the stored change coins for the determination, and in short, it is sufficient to use denominations that can determine whether change can be disbursed for each digit of the change amount Ri. . Therefore, it is also possible to implement the present invention without taking into consideration the holding status of intermediate denominations such as 500 yen coins or 50 yen coins. Further, there are cases where it is not necessary to particularly determine whether or not change can be paid out for the highest denomination of money that can be used as input money. This is possible when adopting a configuration in which the input coins of the highest denomination are temporarily held in an escrow device and when it becomes necessary to pay out the coins of that denomination, the held coins are dispensed, or when the input coins of the highest denomination are used for exclusive use. For example, a configuration is adopted in which coins of the denomination can be automatically refilled and dispensed from the storage device of the denomination. In such a case, if it is necessary to pay out the maximum amount of money as change, the maximum amount of money can always be paid out because the inserted coin always exists, so whether or not it is possible to pay out change. This means that there is no need to make any particular determination. Therefore, for example, if five types of coins such as 1000 yen coin, 500 yen coin, 100 yen coin, 50 yen coin, and 10 yen coin can be used, the change dispensing possibility determining unit 18 determines the hundred digit R100i of the change amount (difference) Ri.
It is also possible to only determine whether or not the change can be paid out for the tens digit R10i, and at that time, the number of 100 yen coins held is RC100 as a signal indicating the holding status of change coins.
The present invention can be carried out without any inconvenience even if only the signal indicating 10 yen coins, the signal indicating the number of 10 yen coins held RC10, the 100 yen coin shortage detection signal EP100, and the 10 yen coin shortage detection signal EP10 are used for determination.

<Effects of the Invention> As explained above, according to the present invention, change is automatically paid out and the continuous sale is ended when a sale becomes impossible, so that change is automatically paid out in the continuous sale. This has the effect that it can be carried out without delay.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a control system of a vending machine showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing processing contents in the comparison calculation unit and change dispensing permission determination unit in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the change dispensing permission determination section. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11... Input amount counting unit by denomination, 12... Input amount calculation unit, 14... Comparison calculation unit, 15... Change coin holding number counting unit, 17... Change shortage detection means, 18... Change dispensing Possibility determination section, 49...
Sales enable signal storage control unit, 59...Refund command sending unit, 64...Single sale storage circuit, 67...Timer, 53...Product delivery control unit, 62...Single item sales and continuous sales switch, S1000 ~S
10...Inserted coin detection signal by denomination, RC1000
~RC10...Number of change coins held by denomination,
OS _10~1000 ...Money payout confirmation signal by denomination, K...
...Input amount, SPi (SP1 to SPn)...Sales setting price, R1000i to 10i...Each digit of expected change amount, Vi (V1 to Vn)...Sellable signal, VS...
Sales start signal, S1~Sn...Product selection signal, RM
...Refund command signal.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A detection means for detecting the holding status of change coins by denomination, a calculation means for calculating the expected amount of change in response to a sales set price that is less than the input amount, and a calculation means for detecting the holding state of change coins by denomination, means for determining whether or not the scheduled amount of change can be paid out; means for permitting sales at the set sales price and the same amount as the input amount for which it is determined that change can be paid out; A means for issuing a refund instruction on the condition that at least one sale has been made when the sales set price is not approved, and based on this refund instruction, the current amount of the input amount is refunded as change. A continuous vending control device for vending machines.