JPH0797431B2 - Vending machine controller - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (a) Field of Industrial Application The present invention is an automatic vending machine which detects an abnormality of a product discharging device for each selling column in an automatic vending machine and stops selling from the abnormal selling column. The control device of the machine.

(B) Conventional technology Generally, in a product discharging device, a carrier is attached to the output shaft of a drive deceleration motor, and it is detected whether the product discharging device is in a standby position or an operating position by the rotation position of the carrier. The device is configured to detect. When the motor is driven to move the carrier out of the standby position, the drive of the motor is maintained until the carrier returns to the standby position. Therefore, even if the carrier is out of the standby position, the motor is energized to drive when the carrier is out of the standby position.In this case, if the product discharge mechanism is locked, the carrier does not return to the standby position and the motor is energized and released. There is a defect. Therefore, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 53-13498 discloses that if the carrier does not return to the standby position even when the motor is driven for a certain period of time in the sales standby state, this sales column is used as a sales suspension column.

However, if the cause of the abnormality is a product jam in the product discharge mechanism, the product that is jammed during the driving period of the motor receives the driving force of the motor directly and is deformed depending on its type. In the worst case, the product cannot be removed due to clogging unless the product discharge mechanism is disassembled.

(C) Problems to be Solved by the Invention As described above, in the related art, when the cause of the lock of the product discharge device is a product jam, an undesirable situation is brought about.

From the above point of view, the present invention provides a control device for a vending machine which prevents such a problem. Further, the present invention provides a control device capable of promptly switching the abnormal sales column to the normal sales column on the system even after the cause of the abnormality is removed.

(D) Means for Solving the Problems The control device for a vending machine according to the present invention includes a selection means and a product discharging device for each sales column, and can detect a normal standby position of the product discharging device. In an automatic vending machine provided with a device, an abnormality detecting means for setting column abnormality data in the storage means when the detection device corresponding to the sales column selected by the first-come-first-serving device is other than the standby position,
The storage means is provided with sales availability determination means for stopping the sale of the corresponding product when column abnormality data is set, and test sales control means for setting the test sales mode based on the operation of the test switch. The means is
In the test sale mode, when the selection means corresponding to the sales column in which the column abnormality data is set in the storage means is selected, the corresponding article discharging device is driven and the column abnormality data set in the storage means is reset. It is equipped with a means to do.

(E) Action When a product that can be sold is selected, it is detected whether the discharge device for the product is normal. If it is normal, the product sending operation is performed, and if abnormal, the column for the sales column of the product The abnormal data is set and the sale is stopped, and the abnormal data of the column is reset by the test sale of the product from the column.

(F) Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of an automatic vending machine according to the present invention, in which reference numeral 1 is used to calculate an input amount of money based on an input currency signal C for each type of currency, and a change after sale. Amount calculation device for calculating the amount, 2 ₁ to 2 _n are product discharging devices arranged for each sales column from 1 to n, 3 _{1 to} 3 _n are attached to the output shaft of the drive motor of the product discharging device It is a detection device that turns on and off in synchronization with the rotation of the carrier, and can detect a normal standby position of the product discharging device and an operating position where the output shaft is located at a position other than the standby position. Reference numeral 4 is a product selection means provided with a product selection switch for each sales column, 5 is changeout control means, and 6 is a sales price storage means for setting the sales price of the products for each sales column. Reference numeral 7 is a means for storing abnormal column data indicating an unsellable column, and 8 is a sellability determining means for comparing the input amount and the selling price to determine the possibility of selling the product for the sellable column. Reference numeral 9 is an abnormality detecting means, and when a product which is judged to be sellable by the sellability judging means 8 is selected, it is judged by the detecting devices 3 _{1 to} 3 _n corresponding thereto whether the column is abnormal, In this case, column abnormality data is set in the storage means 7 for this column. Reference numeral 10 is a test sale control means for performing control in the test sale mode when the test switch 11 is operated, and 12 is a sale control means.

When money is inserted into the vending machine in a normal state, the amount calculation means 1 calculates the amount of money input by the input money signal C, and the sellability determination means 8 sells the amount of money set in the amount of money and sales price storage means 6. Compare the selling price of each product for each column,
Also, a sellable product is determined according to the change and the presence or absence of the product. At this time, the sellability determination means 8 makes a sellability determination only for a normal sales column for which no column abnormality data is set in the sales price storage means 6. When the selection switch of the merchandise selecting means 4 is operated with respect to the merchandise that can be sold, the abnormality detecting means 9 causes the detecting device of the selling column.
3 by ₁ to 3 _n determines an abnormality of the column determines, for example, products sold column corresponding to the product discharge device 2 ₂ is selected at the abnormality detecting means 9 detection device 3 _second detection output . In this case the carrier mounted on the output shaft of the drive motor of the commodity discharge apparatus 2 ₂ is disconnected from the standby position, the detecting device 3 ₂
There When occurs an output indicative of the operating position of the product discharge device 2 _2, the sales column sets column abnormality data in the storage means 7 as a sales impossible. On the other hand, the sales control means 12 also receives the sellable product data from the sellability determination means 8 and the selection signal from the product selection means 4, respectively, but an abnormality of the sales column selected by the abnormality detection means 9 is detected. Then, it is prohibited to perform sales control for this sales column. Then, when the column abnormality data is set, the sale possibility determining means 8 does not determine the possibility of selling the product for this sales column, and therefore the sale of the product from the column is stopped.

Thus the commodity discharging device 2 ₁ to 2 _n is normal detector 3 ₁ to 3 _n of the selected sales column is generating output indicative of the standby position, sales control means by the abnormality detecting means 9 12 operation Is permitted, and sales control of the selected product is performed based on the available product data and the selection signal. In other words, sales control unit 12 drives the commodity discharge apparatus 2 ₁ to 2 _n for the selected item, and generates an output corresponding detection device 3 ₁ to 3 _n represents an operation position, then generating an output indicating a standby position Until then, the drive signal is output to the product discharging device to send the selected product. After the product is sent, the sales control means 12 outputs a sold product signal indicating the sent product type to the selling price storage means 6, and the price calculation means 1 introduces the selling price from the selling price storage means 6 based on the selling product signal. Is subtracted from the input amount. And changeout control means 5
Operates a change dispensing device (not shown) according to the change amount of the amount calculation means 1 based on a control signal from the sales control means 12, and outputs a subtraction signal of the amount of money to be paid to the amount calculation means 1 every time money is paid out. Output.

When the test switch 11 is operated, the test sale control means 10 outputs a test mode signal. Sales control unit in the test mode 12, to test product sales by controlling the driving of the commodity discharge apparatus 2 ₁ to 2 _n corresponding to the selected items by operating the selection switch product selection means 4. At this time, the recording means 7 resets the column abnormality data of the corresponding sales column by operating the selection switch. Therefore, when the product discharge device of the abnormal sales column is restored to the normal state and the test sales of this sales column is performed, the abnormal column data is automatically reset. Therefore, if the cause of abnormality of the abnormal sales column is canceled and test sale is performed, the abnormal sales column is switched to the normal sales column on the system.

Figure 2 shows a control circuit for the control according to the present invention is constituted by the microcomputer 13, C ₁ ~C ₄ is money switch for outputting the inserted money signal corresponding to the money kind by introduction of currency, S ₁ to S _n is Selection switches corresponding to each sales column from 1 to n, M _{1 to} M _n are product discharge motors for each sales column,
Reference numeral 15 is a drive circuit for the motors M _{1 to} M _n . The commodity discharge motor M ₁ ~M _n drives the commodity discharge apparatus, but commodity discharge apparatus is detected by whether the detection device is one Rui or standby position in the operating position, in this embodiment the motor M ₁ ~ Carrier switch P that turns ON and OFF in synchronization with the carrier mounted on the output shaft of M _n
The detector is composed of _{1 to} P _n . m _{1 to} m ₄ are currency type change dispensing motors, 16 is a drive circuit for the motors m _{1 to} m ₄ , and 17 is a test switch that specifies the sales test mode. In this example, the test switch 17 is operated a second time. It is designed to cancel the sales test mode. Also, 14 is a memory, registers R ₁ and R ₇ for setting the sales column number, register R _{2 for} setting the test sales flag, and register R _{3 for} setting the input amount or change amount, Selection switch
Each selection flag indicating that S _{1 to} S _n has been operated is set. Column error data is set corresponding to each register of R ₄₁ to R _4n and each sales column of 1 to n. Each register from R ₅₁ to R _5n and carrier switch
Each of the registers R ₆₁ to R _{6n in} which each carrier flag indicating that P _{1 to} P _n is ON is set, and the pricing area M that stores the selling price of the product for each selling column are allocated. ing.

3 and 4 are flowcharts for explaining the program of the microcomputer 13, the input detection flow of FIG. 4 is periodically processed by a timer interrupt. In the N ₁ step of the main flow of FIG. 3, “1” is set in the register R ₁ as the sales column number, and in the N ₂ step, it is determined whether the test sale flag is set in the register R ₂ and the flag is set. if not set, to check on whether sales column No.1 in N ₃ step is column abnormal data set whether the normal in the register R _51. And if the column abnormality data is set, the process moves to N ₆ step, but if the sales column is normal and the column abnormality flag is not set, the product in the sales column No. 1 can be sold in N ₄ steps. Is determined. If the vending machine money is turned the currency switch C ₁ -C ₄ but outputs the inserted currency signals, detects the inserted currency signals at n ₉ step input detection process by the timer interrupt, register n ₁₄ step The amount of money input is calculated by adding the amount of money indicated by the input money signal to R ₃ . Therefore, N _{3 of the} main flow
In the step, it is determined whether or not the product in the sales column can be sold by comparing the input amount with the sales price of the sales column No. 1 stored in the pricing area M of the memory 14. The computer 13 also determines the possibility of sale based on a change presence / absence signal and a product sold-out signal (not shown). And if salable confirms whether selection flag to the register R ₄₁ shifts to N ₅ steps are set. Thus if some Rui If the selection flag is not set, which can not be sold goods, increments the contents of register R ₁ shifts to N ₆ step specifies the sales column No.2, N Go to N ₂ step through ₇ steps. In this way, the process is repeated for each sales column. However, when the product in the sales column No. 2 can be sold and the selection switch S ₂ is operated, the selection flag is set in the register R _42. From N ₅ steps to N ₈ steps. At this time, the selection flag is set in the registers R _{41 to} R _4n when the operation of the selection switch is detected in the input detection flow by the timer interrupt.

Here, the input detection of the selection switch of the input detection flow will be described together with the input detection of the carrier switch. In the n ₁ step, the register R ₇ is set to “1” as the sales column number, and in the n ₂ step, the output of the carrier switch P ₂ is detected.
When it is OFF, the register R ₆₁ is cleared in n ₃ steps, and when it is ON, the carrier flag is set in the register R ₆₁ in n ₄ steps. Then, when the operation of the selection switch S ₁ is detected and turned on in the step n ₅ , the selection flag is set in the register R ₄₁ in the step n _6, and the contents of the register R ₇ is incremented in the step n ₇ to increase the sales column number. Specify 2 and go through n ₈ steps to n ₂ steps. In this way, when the carrier switches and selection switches of all the sales columns are detected to be ON, and this processing is repeated, and it is detected that all the sales columns are finished by the contents of the register R ₇ , steps n ₈ to n ₉ are performed. Become.

Then, in the main flow, when the selection flag is set in the register R ₄₂ and the N ₆ step is reached, the selection flag is reset, and in the N ₉ step it is confirmed that the test sale flag is not set in the register R ₂ and N ₁₀ In the step, it is determined whether or not the product discharge device is abnormal depending on whether the carrier flag is set in the register R ₆₂ . Product discharge motor M ₂
Is in the non-operating state, the motor switch is normally in the standby position and the carrier switch P ₂ is ON, so that the carrier flag is set in the register R ₆₁ in step n _{4 of the} input detection flow. When the carrier flag is set product discharge device is normal, N ₁₁ and outputs a drive signal to the product discharge motor M ₂ performs the transmission control of the product from sales column No.2 in step, after delivery of the product Clear register R ₅₂ in step N ₁₂ . Then, in the N ₁₃ step, the selling price of the product in the sales column No. 2 is subtracted from the amount in the register R ₃ , and if the remaining amount after subtraction is other than “0” yen, this amount is controlled to be paid out as change. Move to ₁ step.

However, when the motor carrier is out of the standby position and the carrier switch P ₂ is off, the carrier flag is not set in the register R ₆₁ . In this case, the merchandise ejecting device of the sales column No. 2 is abnormal, and the column abnormality data is set in the register R ₅₂ in the N ₁₅ step, and the process proceeds to the N ₁ step. Therefore, products are not sent from the sales column No.2. Then, in the N ₁ step, “1” is set as the sales column No. in the register R ₁ and the above operation is repeated. However, when the N ₃ steps are performed for the sales column No. 2, the column error flag is stored in the register R _52. Since it is set, it is not possible to sell and N ₆
Go to step. And then sold by customers Column No. 2
When the selection switch of another sales column in place of is operated, the selection flag is set in the corresponding register R _{41 to} R _4n in the input detection flow by the timer interruption. Then, in the main flow, the sales column No. of the selection switch operated in the register R ₁ is set, and if no column abnormality data is set for this sales column and it is possible to sell, from the N ₅ step N ₈ Move to step ₈ and perform product sending operation from the sales column.

On the other hand, when the operation of test switch 17 for detecting at n ₁₀ step input detection process by the timer interrupt, n ₁₁ Verify test sales flag register R ₂ in step, n ₁₂ steps if the flag is not set The test sale flag is set in the register R ₂ to set the test sale mode. When the test sale flag is set, the test sale flag of the register R ₂ is reset and the test sale mode is released in step n ₁₃ . When the test sale mode is entered, the main flow always shifts from N ₂ step to N ₅ step by setting the test sale flag, and does not check the column for abnormalities and judge the sale availability. Therefore, in the test sale mode, the operation of the selection switch for each sale column is always on standby. When the selection switch corresponding to the column for test sale is operated, the corresponding register in the input detection flow
The selection flags are set in R _{41 to} R _4n . Therefore, when returning to the main flow, the product is sent out from the N ₅ step to the N ₈ step, but at this time, the states of the carrier switches P _{1 to} P _n are not confirmed by setting the test sale flag. Then, the product is sent in N ₁₁ steps, and when it comes to N ₁₂ steps, the registers R _{51 to} R corresponding to the columns for test sale
Reset the _5n column error data. Thus when product discharge device for a sales column No.2 is abnormal, the abnormality cause to release the back carrier to the standby position, the column of the operating the selection switch S ₂ after operating the test switch 17 registers R ₅₂ Abnormal data is reset.

(G) Effect of the Invention According to the present invention, in order to detect an abnormality in the sales column based on the detection position of the detection device by selecting a salable product,
When the detection device detects a position other than the standby position of the product discharging device in the standby state, the motor is not driven. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the jammed product from being biased and deformed.
Moreover, after the abnormality is cleared, the test sale operation automatically clears the abnormality on the system, which improves operability.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of a vending machine according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention by a microcomputer, FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing control of the microcomputer, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing input detection of a microcomputer. 2 _{1 to} 2 _n …… Merchandise ejection device, 3 _{1 to} 3 _n …… Detection device, 4 ……
Product selection means, 7 ... Column abnormal data storage means, 8 ...
… Sale availability judgment means, 9 …… Abnormality detection means, 10 …… Test sales control means, 11 …… Test switch.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An automatic vending machine provided with a selection means and a product discharge device for each sales column, and provided with a detection device capable of detecting a normal standby position of the product discharge device, wherein the selection means selects the product. If the detection device corresponding to the sales column is at a position other than the standby position, the abnormality detection means for setting the column abnormality data in the recording means, and if the column abnormality data is set in the storage means, the sale of the corresponding product is stopped. A sale column is provided with a sale enable determination means and a test sale control means for setting a test sale mode based on the operation of a test switch, and the test sale control means is a sale column in which column abnormality data is set in the storage means in the nuclear test sale mode. When the selecting means corresponding to is selected, the corresponding article discharging device is driven and the column abnormality set in the storage means Control apparatus for an automatic vending machine characterized by comprising a means for resetting the over data.