JPH0364917B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Field of Application] This invention relates to a vending machine that sells fixed-sized, fixed-quantity products.

[Conventional technology]

Recently, in order to save labor in product sales operations at large stores, etc., barcodes have been used to read product numbers, and instant sales information processing (POS)
By using a device, we can automatically calculate the price, and by directly inputting sales information for each product on all shelves in the store into a central large-scale computer,
Various proposals have been made, such as centrally processing sales information.

However, even if a barcode is used, it is only possible to easily input the product number, unit sales price, etc., and to save labor in the exit payment process. Furthermore, even if a sales information real-time processing device is used, the effort required for the exit payment process can only be reduced. Furthermore, although centralized processing using a central large-scale computer can save labor, in a typical large store, 7,000 to 10,000 products are displayed on 300 to 600 product shelves; In order to enter and centrally process sales information that is generated from time to time for each customer, a considerable amount of equipment is required, and the amount of electrical wire used alone is enormous, and sales information changes every day due to special sales, etc. It is almost impossible to respond to changes in sales prices, changes in the layout of product shelves in stores, etc. Furthermore, when carrying out troubleshooting, maintenance, expansion or downsizing of stores, etc., the central large-scale computer must be temporarily stopped. In some cases, it may be necessary to suspend all store functions.

Therefore, when a customer inserts the shopping card received at the store entrance into the product shelf and takes out the product from the product shelf, a small computer calculates the number of products taken out for each product, that is, the number of sales, and the shopping card is Vending machines have been devised that magnetically record sales information such as product numbers, sales quantities, unit sales prices, and unit weights.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a conventional vending machine using a shopping card (Japanese Patent Publication No. 11194/1983). In the figure, 1 is a box-shaped main body, 2 is a product shelf provided in the main body 1, 3 is a weighing scale provided on the product shelf 2, and 4 is a holder provided on each of the weighing scales 3. On top of each holder 4 are products such as canned and boxed packaged foods (not shown), each of which has a weight within a certain error range. Items are listed. Reference numeral 5 denotes a door provided at the front opening of the main body 1, and the door 5 is transparent. 6 is a door lock device that locks the door 5 in the closed state, 7 is a door switch that outputs a close signal when the door 5 is closed, and 8 is the sales information such as the product number, sales quantity, sales unit price, and unit weight. A storage body for storing a shopping card on which information is magnetically written and stored; 8a is a shopping card insertion slot provided in the storage body 8; 9 is a storage body for taking the shopping card into the storage body 8 in a non-removable manner; 10 is a writing device that magnetically writes sales information on the shopping card stored in the storage body 8; 11 is a shopping end instruction push button for instructing the end of shopping; 12 is a small electronic computer that controls all functions of a vending machine.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a store having the vending machine shown in FIG. In the figure, 13 is a vending machine, 14 is an entrance, 15 is an exit, and 16 is an exit 1.
The payment device 16 is installed near the payment device 16.
The system reads the sales information magnetically written and stored on the shopping card, calculates the price, displays the price, and settles the bill.

In such a vending machine, when a customer receives one shopping card per person at the entrance 14 and inserts the shopping card into the insertion slot 8a of the storage body 8 of any vending machine 13, the intake and discharge device 9 After the customer irremovably takes the shopping card into the storage body 8, the product weight _W1 is read from the scale 3 and stored, and the door lock device 6 is released. Next, when the customer opens the door 5, takes out the product from the holder 4, closes the door 5, and presses the push button 11, the door lock device 6 is activated and the product weight is determined from the weighing scale 3.
W ₂ is read and stored, and the small electronic computer 12 calculates the number of products taken out, ie, the number of sales N, from the weight difference W between the product weight W ₁ and product weight W ₂ . That is, the number of sold items N is calculated by dividing the weight difference W by the average unit weight a of the taken out items, which is stored in the small computer 12 in advance. Then, the shopping card is ejected from the storage body 8 by the taking-in/discharging device 9, and the sales information of the product taken out is magnetically written onto the shopping card by the writing device 10. Next, the customer takes out the shopping card from the storage unit 8 and makes a purchase at another vending machine 13 in the same manner as described above. After completing the shopping,
When the shopping card is inserted into the settlement device 16, sales information is read from the shopping card, the price is calculated, the price is displayed, and the customer pays the price.

In this vending machine, each vending machine 13
Since each vending machine 13 is provided with a small computer 12, the amount of indoor wiring can be significantly reduced compared to the case where each vending machine 13 is connected to a central large computer. Further, it is possible to very easily change the selling price and unit weight of products, change the arrangement of products, move the vending machine body, etc.
In addition, each vending machine 13 is tested, maintained,
Repairs can be carried out quickly, so there is no need to stop all store functions. Also, if you prepare several spare machines for the large number of vending machines 13,
Even if the vending machine 13 breaks down, it can be dealt with quickly. Furthermore, since there is no huge amount of indoor wiring, it is easy to expand, downsize, remodel, and change the layout of the store. Moreover, since the products can be displayed in bulk in the holder 4, the effort of displaying them can be saved. Furthermore, each cage 4 is
Since it is possible to always know the number of sold products placed on the shelves, inventory work can be carried out easily and quickly. Furthermore, by using a business card suitable for the purpose of work instead of a shopping card, it is possible to easily change product displays, replenish, take inventory, etc. necessary for sales work. Furthermore, since each vending machine 13 is provided with a small computer 12, fraud or malfunctions can be detected early, so that prompt action can be taken. Since the door 5 can be opened only when the shopping card is taken into the storage body 8, the number N of sold items is always recorded on the shopping card, so that unauthorized purchases can be prevented.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

However, since the door 5 is provided, the customer has to open the door 5 every time he or she purchases a product from each vending machine 13, making it difficult for customers to freely take out products from product shelves without doors in supermarkets and the like. There is a problem in that for customers who are used to the above, it is troublesome just to open the door 5 and take out the product. This has been proven through experience, and is evident from the rapid disappearance of refrigerated product shelves with doors that were once installed in large numbers in supermarkets across the country.

For this reason, it is conceivable not to provide the door 5, but if the door 5 is not provided, the customer can take out the product from the holder 4 without inserting the shopping card into the storage unit 8. However, it is not possible to prevent unauthorized purchases in which products are taken out from the holder 4 without inserting the shopping card into the storage body 8.
That is, when the customer takes out the product from the holder 4 without inserting the shopping card into the storage body 8, the number of sold items N is not recorded on the shopping card, so when calculating the price using the settlement device 16,
Since the price of the product taken out from the holder 4 without inserting the shopping card into the storage body 8 is not added, the customer has to pay the price of the product taken out from the holder 4 without inserting the shopping card into the storage body 8. You will be spared.

This invention was made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the purpose is to provide a vending machine that does not require customers to open the door every time they purchase a product, and that can prevent unauthorized purchases. shall be.

[Means for solving problems]

In order to achieve this purpose, in this invention, electromagnetic waves are spread over the entire opening of the main body, and when a customer takes out a product from a holder with a shopping card inserted into the storage body, an alarm is not emitted and the customer To issue an alarm when a person takes out a product from a holder without inserting a shopping card into the storage body and blocks part or all of the electromagnetic waves.

Next, the configuration of the present invention will be explained based on FIG. 3. In the figure, 21 is a box-shaped main body, 22 is a weighing scale provided in the main body 21, and 23 is a weighing scale 2.
a holder provided on 2 and holding the product; 24;
is a shopping end indicator for instructing the end of shopping,
Reference numeral 25 denotes a container for storing a shopping card that magnetically stores sales information such as the product number, number of units sold, and unit sales price. Reference numeral 26 denotes an insertion detection device that outputs an insertion signal when a shopping card is inserted into the container 25. vessel, 27
28 is an intake/discharge device that takes the shopping card into the storage body 25 in a manner that it cannot be taken out, and discharges the shopping card from the storage body 25; and 28 outputs a reception signal when the shopping card is taken into the storage body 25 without being able to be taken out. A capture detector 29 magnetically writes sales information of the product taken out from the main body 21 onto the shopping card stored in the storage body 25; 30 spreads electromagnetic waves over the entire opening of the main body 21; Transmitter,
31 is a receiver that receives electromagnetic waves, 32 is an alarm device that issues an alarm, 33 is an alarm stop indicator that instructs to stop the alarm device 32, and A is a shopping card that is sent to the intake and discharge device 27 when the insertion signal is output. B is a first product weight reading storage means that reads and stores the product weight _W1 on the holder 23 from the weighing scale 22 when the take-in signal is output; C is a product Transmitter 3 when weight W ₁ is stored
0 and restarts the transmitter 30 when the end of shopping is instructed by the end-of-shopping indicator 24; A second product weight reading/storage means reads and stores the product weight _W2 on the holder 23 from the weight scale 22, E is the product weight.
When W ₂ is stored, product weight W ₁ and product weight W ₂
F is the sales number, which calculates the weight difference W between When the number N and product information are stored, the writing device 29 is commanded to write the sales number N and product information on the shopping card, and the intake/discharge device 27 is commanded to discharge the shopping card. The control means G is the alarm 3 when the transmitter 30 is operating and the receiver 31 does not receive the electromagnetic waves because part or all of the electromagnetic waves are blocked.
2 and stops the alarm 32 when the alarm stop indicator 33 instructs to stop the alarm.

[Effect]

In this vending machine, the customer can
When a shopping card is inserted into the storage body 25, an insertion signal is output from the insertion detector 26, the capture control means A orders the capture/discharge device 27 to capture the shopping card, and the capture/discharge device 27 inserts the shopping card into the storage body 25. Capturing the card without removing it. Then, a capture signal is output from the capture detector 28, and the first product weight reading storage means B
After reading and storing the product weight _W1 , the transmitter control means C stops the transmitter 30. Next, when the customer takes out the product from the holder 23 and instructs the end of shopping using the shopping end indicator 24, the transmitter control means C activates the transmitter 30 again, and the second product weight reading memory is activated. Means D is a weight scale 22
The product weight _W2 is read and stored, and the number calculating means E determines the number of sold products N from the weight difference W between the product weight _W1 and product weight _W2 and the pre-stored average unit weight a of the products taken out. is calculated, and the sales number N and information on the product are stored. Then, the discharge writing control means F commands the writing device 29 and the intake and discharge device 27 to operate, and the writing device 29 writes the sales number N and product information on the shopping card, and the intake and discharge device 27 writes the shopping card. Spit out the card. Then, while the transmitter 30 is operating, part or all of the electromagnetic waves are blocked, and the receiver 31
When the alarm control means C activates the alarm 32 when the store does not receive electromagnetic waves, the alarm 32 issues an alarm, and when the store staff instructs to stop the alarm using the alarm stop indicator 33 after completing the check, the alarm control means G stops the alarm 32.

In this way, when the customer inserts the shopping card into the storage body 25, the transmitter control means C stops the transmitter 30, so even if the customer takes out the product from the holder 23, the alarm 32 will issue an alarm. However, when the customer does not insert the shopping card into the storage body 25, the transmitter 30 is activated, and in this state, when the customer tries to take out the product from the holder 23, some or all of the electromagnetic waves are emitted. If you cut it off,
The alarm control means G operates the alarm 32, and the alarm 3
2 issues an alarm.

〔Example〕

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a vending machine according to the present invention;
5 is a sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 4, and FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 4. In the figure, 21 is a box-shaped main body,
The main body 21 has an opening 21a on the front surface. 35 is a product shelf provided in the main body 21, 22 is a product shelf 3
The weight scale 22 converts weight into an electrical signal using a piezoelectric element or a transistor such as a differential transformer. 23 is weight scale 2
2, and each cage 23 is used to hold the same fixed-sized and fixed-quantity items, such as boxed caramels and canned items, with small individual weight errors and within a certain error limit. A large number of products (not shown) are displayed. 36 and 37 are side plates attached to both sides of the main body 21, 25 is a storage body for storing shopping cards, and the storage body 25 is provided on the front side of the side plate 37. 38 is a shopping card insertion slot provided in the storage body 25, 26 is an insertion detector that outputs an insertion signal _S1 when a shopping card is inserted into the insertion slot 38, and 27 is a slot for taking out the shopping card into the storage body 25. It is a take-in and discharge device that takes in the shopping card from the storage body 25 and spits it out from the storage body 25, and the take-in and discharge device 27
It consists of a small motor, rollers, etc. 2
Reference numeral 8 denotes a capture detector which outputs a capture signal _S2 when the shopping card is irretrievably captured in the storage body 25, and 29 magnetically writes sales information on the shopping card stored in the storage body 25. The writing device 29 includes a magnetic head and the like. 24a is a push button for the customer to instruct to finish shopping; 39 is a display lamp indicating that shopping is possible; push button 24a and display lamp 39 are provided on the front side of side plate 37. Reference numeral 30a designates a plurality of transmitters (projectors in the case of using infrared isorays) provided on the side plate 36, and the transmitters 30a are provided so as to emit electromagnetic waves in a direction parallel to the front surface of the main body 21. They are provided at intervals such that electromagnetic waves are always blocked when a customer puts his/her hand into the main body 21. 3
1a is a large number of receivers (in the case of light beams, phototubes, etc.) provided on the side plate 37, and the receiver 31a is the transmitter 3.
Each receiver 31a receives the electromagnetic waves transmitted from the corresponding transmitter 30a. 32a is a warning lamp, 3
2b is an alarm buzzer, and an alarm lamp 32a and an alarm buzzer 32b are provided on the upper surface of the main body 21.
40 is a recess provided in the side plate 37, 33a, 43
are push buttons provided in the recesses 40, respectively;
The push button 33a is used by the staff to instruct the stop of the alarm lamp 32a and the alarm buzzer 32b, and the push button 43 is used by the staff to instruct the ejection of the shopping card. 41 is a door provided in the front of the recess 40, 42 is a lock for keeping the door 41 closed, and the key to the lock 42 is kept by the store staff. 34 is a small electronic computer for controlling the functions of the vending machine, and the computer 34 is provided on the top surface of the main body 21.

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of the vending machine shown in FIGS. 4 to 7. In the figure, 34A
Reference numeral 34B indicates a capture control means for instructing the capture/discharge device 27 to capture the shopping card when the insertion signal _S1 is output from the capture detector ₂₆ ; At this time, the first product weight reading and storage means 34I reads and stores the product weight _W1 of each product on the holder 23 from the weighing scale 22, and the second product weight reading and storage means 34D
(Explanation will be described later) The product weight W ₂ after the previous takeout is stored as the product weight W ₀ after the previous shopping, and the product weight W ₀ is compared with the product weight W ₁ . ₀ , _W1 match, a matching signal _S30 is output, and when product weights _W0 , _W1 do not match, a matching signal _S31 is output. 34C is a comparing means 34I that outputs a matching signal S31. ₃₀
is output, the transmitter 30a and the receiver 3
1a and when the end of shopping is instructed by the push button 24a, the transmitter 30a and the receiver 3
When the matching signal S ₃₀ is output from the comparison means 34I, the receiver/transmitter control means 34J turns on the display lamp 39 indicating that shopping is possible, and presses the push button 24a to make the purchase possible. When the termination is instructed, the indicator lamp control means 34D turns off the indicator lamp 39, and when the transmitter 30a is activated again, the indicator lamp control means 34D reads and stores the product weight W ₂ of each product on the holder 23 from the weighing scale 22. Second product weight reading and storage means, 34E is product weight
When W ₂ is stored, the number of sold units N of each product is calculated from the weight difference W between the product weights W ₁ and W ₂ , and for products whose number of sold units N is not zero, the product number, number of sold units N, and sales of that product are calculated. The number calculating means 34E stores the unit price, unit weight, etc., and calculates the number of sold items N as follows. In other words, the weight difference between product weights W ₁ and W ₂ is W, the average unit weight of products is a, the maximum error weight of products within the same item is b, W/
When the integer obtained by rounding down the decimal point of a is N ₁ and the integer rounded up is N ₂ , the integer N ₁ or N ₂ that satisfies the following two formulas is stored as the sales number N.

(a-b)N ₁ ≦W≦(a+b)N ₁ (1) (a-b)N ₂ ≦W≦(a+b)N ₂ (2) For 34K, both equations (1) and (2) hold true. Quantity limiting means 34 for outputting a signal S ₄₁ in excess of the extraction limit number when the number is exceeded, and outputting a non-exceeding signal S ₄₀ in other cases;
When the non-excess signal S ₄₀ is output from the number limiting means 34K, M outputs the foreign matter contamination signal S ₅₁ if both equations (1) and (2) do not hold, and otherwise outputs the non-contamination signal S Foreign matter contamination determination means that outputs ₅₀ ;
34F instructs the take-in and discharge device 27 to discharge a shopping card when the foreign matter contamination determining means 34M outputs the non-contamination signal _S50 , and also instructs the writing device 2 to discharge the shopping card.
Product number of the product taken out in 9, number of sales N,
Discharge writing control means 34G instructs writing of unit sales price, unit weight, etc. to the shopping card, and the transmitter 30a is in operation, and at least one of the receivers 31a is activated.
does not receive electromagnetic waves, when the comparison means 34I outputs a mismatch signal _S31 , when the number limiting means 34K outputs an excess signal _S41 , and when the foreign matter contamination determining means 34M outputs a foreign matter contamination signal _S51 .
is output, the alarm lamp 32a is turned on and the alarm buzzer 32b is activated, and the push button 33a turns on the alarm lamp 32a and the alarm buzzer 32.
When instructed to stop the alarm lamp 32a,
Alarm control means for stopping the alarm buzzer 32b, 34
N is a discharge control means which commands the taking-in and discharge device 27 to discharge a shopping card when the discrepancy signal _S31 is outputted from the comparing means 34I and when the push button 43 commands the discharge of a shopping card.

Next, according to the flowchart shown in Figure 9,
The operation of this vending machine will be explained. First, when a customer inserts a shopping card into the insertion slot 38, the insertion detector 26 outputs an insertion signal _S1 , and the acquisition control means 34
A commands the intake/discharge device 27 to operate, and the intake/discharge device 27 displaces the shopping card from the storage body 25 without being able to take it out.
Take it inside (a, b). Then, the intake detector 2
8 outputs a take-in signal _S2 , and the first product weight reading/storage means 34B reads the product weight of each product from the weighing scale 22.
W ₁ is read and stored, and the comparison means 34I compares the product weight W ₀ and the product weight W ₁ to determine the product weight.
If W ₀ and W ₁ match, a match signal S ₃₀ is output (c, d). In this case, the receiver/transmitter control means 34C stops the transmitter 30a and the receiver 31a, and the display lamp control means 34J turns on the display lamp 39 indicating that shopping is possible, indicating that shopping is possible. Do (heh, heh). In this state, the transmitter 30a is stopped and the electromagnetic wave film is not extended to the opening 21a of the main body 21, so the customer can freely put his hand inside the main body 21, so the customer can touch the product. It is possible to select products by touching them. Then, the customer takes out one or more products or one or more items from the main body 21 and presses the shopping end instruction push button 2.
When 4a is pressed, the receiver/transmitter control means 34C operates the transmitter 30a and the receiver 31a, and
The display lamp control means 34J turns off the display lamp 39 to indicate that shopping is not possible (G,
Chile). Next, the second product weight reading/storage means 34D reads and stores the product weight _W2 of each product after the product is taken out from the weighing scale 22, and the number limiting device 34K uses formulas (1) and (2) for each product. It is determined whether both of these are true, and if at least one of them is not true, a non-exceeding signal _S40 is output (N, R). In this case, the foreign matter contamination determining means 34
M determines whether both equations (1) and (2) do not hold true for each product, and when either one holds true, outputs a non-foreign substance contamination signal _S50 , and in this case, the number calculation means 34E ( The integer N 1 or N ₂ that satisfies Equations ₁₎ and (2) is determined to be the number of sold units N, and for products where the number of sold units N is not zero, the product number, number of sold units N, sales unit, and unit are calculated. Memorize weight etc. (wo, wa). Next, the discharge writing control means 34F
commands the intake/discharge device 27 and the writing device 29 to operate, and the intake/discharge device 27 discharges the shopping card in a removable manner, and the writing device 29 writes the product number of the product taken out and the number of sales N on the shopping card. ,
After writing the sales price, unit weight, etc., the alarm control means 34G activates the transmitter 30a, and then the receiver 3
It is determined whether the receiver 31a is continuously receiving data, and if the receiver 31a is continuously receiving the data, the process returns to the beginning (k, y). Further, when the shopping card is not inserted into the insertion slot 38, the alarm control means 34G determines whether or not the receiver 31a is continuously receiving signals. Go back (i, ta). And the insertion port 38
When the shopping card is not inserted into the transmitter 30
When the electromagnetic waves emitted from a are cut off, the alarm control means 34G turns on the alarm lamp 32a and activates the alarm buzzer 32b to notify the staff that an unauthorized purchase has occurred (A, T, R). ).
In this case, after checking whether or not an unauthorized purchase has been made, the staff member unlocks the lock 42 with the key and uses the key to unlock the door 42.
1 and presses the push button 33a, the alarm control means 34G turns off the alarm lamp 32a and stops the alarm buzzer 32b (S, TS). In addition, insertion port 3
When a shopping card is inserted into 8 and a purchase is made, the transmitter 30a is activated.
A similar operation occurs when the electromagnetic waves emitted from the earth are blocked (Yo, Le, So, Tsu). Further, when the product weights W ₀ and W ₁ do not match, the comparing means 34I outputs a mismatch signal S ₃₁ ,
In this case, the discharge control means 34N controls the intake and discharge device 27.
operation is commanded, the taking-in and discharging device 27 spits out the shopping card, and an alarm is issued.The rest of the operation is the same as described above (d, ne, re, so, tsu). Furthermore, when both equations (1) and (2) are satisfied, the number limiting means 34K outputs an excess signal _S41 , in which case an alarm is issued, and after the staff stops the alarm, the push button 43 is pressed. When pressed, the discharge control means 34N
commands the take-in and discharge device 27 to operate, and the take-in and discharge device 27 spits out the shopping card (ru, na, la, mu,
U, I). Further, when both equations (1) and (2) do not hold, the foreign matter contamination determining means 34M outputs a foreign matter contamination signal _S51 , and in this case, an alarm is issued.
The rest of the operation is the same as when the excess signal _S41 is output (wo, na, la, mu, u, ii).

In this way, when the customer inserts the shopping card into the insertion slot 38, takes out the product he or she wants to buy from the main body 21, and presses the shopping end instruction push button 24a, the sales information is written on the shopping card and discharged. Customers can purchase products one after another from different vending machines, and since the sales information of all the products purchased by the customer is written on the shopping card, the shopping card can be transferred to an electronic machine equipped with a magnetic reader at the store exit. When inserted into the payment device, the price of all purchased items will be displayed. Then, the shopping card is inserted into the slot 38.
If the customer puts his or her hand inside the main body 21 and tries to take out the product when the product is not inserted into the main body 21, electromagnetic waves are being emitted from the transmitter 30a, and an electromagnetic wave film is spread over the entire opening surface of the main body 21, Since a warning is issued, unauthorized purchases can be prevented. Also, after the shopping card is inserted into the insertion slot 38,
While the transmitter 30a is stopped and the electromagnetic wave film is not expanded, the product weight after the last shopping
W ₀ is compared with the product weight W ₁ before the current shopping start, and if the product weights W ₀ and W ₁ do not match, an alarm is issued. Even if a product is taken out from inside the main body 21, it can be discovered. By the way, when the sum of the error weights of the products taken out reaches 1/2 of the average unit weight a, the number of sold products N
cannot be calculated accurately, it is necessary to limit the number of sales N. That is, as shown in FIG. 10, when W<aN, W<(N-1)(a
+b), whether the number of sales is N or (N-
1), and W>
In the case of aN, if W>(N+1)(a-b),
It is not possible to determine whether the number of sold items is N or (N+1). For example, if the average unit weight a of a product is 10g and the maximum error weight b is 1g (in reality, the maximum error weight b is 1 g of the average unit weight a).
%, but the above example is taken for convenience of calculation), if the number of sold items N becomes 5 or more, it may become impossible to calculate the number of sold items N. That is,
If the number of sales N is 5, the weight difference W is 45 to 55 g.
On the other hand, when the number of sales N is 6, the weight difference W can be 54 to 66 g. Therefore, when the weight difference W is 54 to 55 g, both equations (1) and (2) hold true. Sometimes it is not possible to calculate the number of sales N. However, in the present invention, if both equations (1) and (2) are satisfied, a warning is issued as the number of products exceeds the limit, so the number of products sold N can be calculated accurately. Further, it is conceivable that the customer takes out the product on the holder 23 and instead places a product different from the product to be held in the holder 23 or an item other than the product on the holder 23. In some cases, the number of sold items N cannot be calculated accurately. That is, as shown in FIG. 11, when W<aN, (N-1)(a+b)<W
<N(a-b), and in the case of W>aN, N(a+b)<W<(N+1)(a-b), so in these cases the above It can be determined that such an unauthorized purchase has been made. For example, when the average unit weight a of the products is 100 g and the maximum error weight b is 1 g, as a result of the customer taking out 5 products and placing something other than the products on the holder 23, the weight difference W is If it is 240g, the number of sales N will be 2. However, in the present invention, since an alarm is issued when both equations (1) and (2) do not hold, it is possible to prevent such fraudulent purchases. That is, in the above example, when the number of sold items N is 2, the weight difference W is 198 to 202 g, and when the number of sold items N is 3, the weight difference W is 297 to 303 g, so the weight difference W is Since it is impossible for 202g<W<297g, in such cases (1), (2)
If both formulas do not hold true, a warning is issued as it is assumed that there has been an illegal purchase with foreign matter mixed in. The unit weight written on the packaging of a product is usually the weight of the contents of the product, that is, the net weight, and does not include the weight of the packaging container. However, the number of sales N is calculated using the average unit weight a as the net weight of the product plus the weight of packaging containers, etc., and it is difficult for customers to accurately know the average unit weight a. It is possible to prevent such fraudulent purchases.

In the above-described embodiment, a plurality of weight scales 22 are provided inside the main body 21 so that a single vending machine can sell a plurality of products. 22 may be provided. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a scale 22 that converts weight into an electrical signal using a piezoelectric element or the like is used, but a scale 22 that converts the amount of deformation of a spring due to a change in weight into an electrical signal, etc. is used as the scale 22. It is also possible to use Further, in the above embodiment, the alarm lamp 32a and the alarm buzzer 32b are used as the alarm device 32, but only one of them may be used. In addition, display lamps are installed to indicate that the electromagnetic wave film has been blocked, that the product weights W ₀ and W ₁ do not match, that the number of sold items N has exceeded the limit, and that there has been an illegal purchase with foreign objects mixed in. It may be provided.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, the vending machine according to the present invention has the same effects as conventional vending machines, and if a customer puts his or her hand inside the main body when the shopping card is not inserted into the storage body, Since an alarm is issued, it is possible to prevent unauthorized purchases, and there is no need to provide a door at the opening of the vending machine as in the past, so customers do not have to open the door every time they make a purchase at each vending machine. Since there are no stores, customers can easily shop. As described above, the effects of this invention are remarkable.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a conventional vending machine, Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a conventional vending machine.
The figures are a schematic diagram showing a store having the vending machine shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the present invention, and Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing a store having the vending machine shown in Figure 1.
The figure shows a vending machine according to the present invention, FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 4, and FIG.
B cross-sectional view, Figure 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line C-C in Figure 4,
Figure 8 is a functional block diagram of the vending machine shown in Figures 4 to 7, Figure 9 is a flowchart, and Figures 10 and 11 are the functional blocks of the vending machine shown in Figures 4 and 7. This is a graph for explaining the operation. 21...Main body, 22...Weight scale, 23...Holder, 24...Shopping end indicator, 25...Storage body,
26...Insertion detector, 27...Take-in and discharge device, 2
8...Intake detector, 29...Writing device, 30...
Transmitter, 31...Receiver, 32...Alarm device, 33
...Alarm stop indicator, 34...Small electronic computer,
A, 34A...Intake control means, B, 34B...First product weight reading and storage means, C, 34C...Receiver transmitter control means, D, 34D...Second product weight reading and storage means, E , 34E...number calculation means, F,
34F...Discharge writing control means, G, 34G...Alarm control means, 34I...Comparison means, 34J...Display lamp control means, 34K...Number limiting means, 3
4M...Foreign matter contamination determining means, 34N...Discharge control means.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A box-shaped main body, a weighing scale provided in the main body, a holder provided on the weighing scale for holding products, and a shopping end instruction for instructing the end of shopping. a container for storing a shopping card that magnetically stores sales information such as the product number, number of units sold, and unit sales price; and an inserter that outputs an insertion signal when the shopping card is inserted into the storage device. a detector; an intake/discharge device that irretrievably captures the shopping card into the storage body and discharges the shopping card from the storage body; a capture signal when the shopping card is irretrievably captured into the storage body; a writing device that magnetically writes sales information of the product taken out from the main body onto the shopping card stored in the storage body; and a writing device that spreads electromagnetic waves over the entire surface of the opening of the main body. a transmitter that receives the electromagnetic waves; an alarm that issues an alarm; an alarm stop indicator that instructs the alarm to stop; A capture control means for ordering the capture of the shopping card, and a weight of the product on the holder from the weighing scale when the capture signal is output.
a first product weight reading/storage means for reading and storing the product weight W ₁ ; when the product weight W ₁ is stored, the transmitter is stopped; and when the end of shopping is instructed by the shopping end indicator; a transmitter control means for activating the transmitter again; and a second means for reading and storing the weight W ₂ of the product on the holder from the weighing scale when the end of shopping is instructed and the transmitter is activated again. Product weight reading and storage means calculates the weight difference W between the product weight _W1 and the product weight _W2 when the product weight _W2 is stored, and calculates the weight difference W between the pre-stored average unit weight a and the weight difference W. a number calculation means for calculating the number of sold items N from and storing the number of sold items N and information on the product; ejection writing control means for instructing the writing of the sales number N and the information of the product, and for instructing the ejecting and ejecting device to eject the shopping card; and the transmitter is operating and the receiver is in operation. and alarm control means for activating the alarm when part or all of the electromagnetic waves are blocked and not being received, and for stopping the alarm when the alarm stop indicator instructs to stop the alarm. A vending machine with special features. 2 After the product weight W ₁ is stored and before the transmitter is stopped, the product weight W 0 after the previous shopping is compared with the product weight W ₁ , and the product weight W _{0 and the product weight W 1 are} compared. Comparing means outputs a mismatch signal when the product weight _W1 does not match, and ejection control means commands the taking and ejecting device to eject the shopping card when the mismatch signal is output. 2. The vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the alarm control means operates the alarm when the alarm is output. 3 If the above weight difference W is smaller than the product of the above sales number N and the above average unit weight a, the above weight difference W is (N-1) (a+
b) If it is smaller, output a signal that exceeds the takeout limit number, and if the weight difference W is larger than the product of the sales number N and the average unit weight a, the weight difference W is (N+1)(a-b ), the number limiting means outputs a signal indicating that the number of pieces to be taken out is exceeded, and the alarm control means operates the alarm when the number of pieces to be taken out is exceeded. The vending machine according to paragraph 1 or 2. 4 If the weight difference W is smaller than the product of the sales number N and the average unit weight a, then if the weight difference W is (N-1)(a+b)<W<N(a-b) When a contamination signal is output and the weight difference W is larger than the product of the sales number N and the average unit weight a, the weight difference W is N(a+b)<W<(N
+1) A patent characterized in that the invention comprises a foreign matter contamination determining means that outputs a foreign matter contamination signal in the case of (a-b), and when the foreign matter contamination signal is output, the alarm control means activates the alarm device. Claim 1
The vending machine according to paragraph 2, paragraph 2 or paragraph 3.