JPS6245255Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Purpose of the Invention] (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a vending machine, and particularly to a structure for reliably setting the selling price of the vending machine.

(Prior Art) In conventional vending machines, a manager sets a selling price by operating a price setting switch, such as a digital switch or a dip switch, provided for each product storage column.

However, vending machines with a large number of storage columns require as many price setting switches as there are storage columns, which increases costs and requires a large area for placement. The system uses a numeric keypad to set prices. This displays the column number indicating the storage column and its set price at the same time on one display, and when setting a new price, input the new price using the numeric keypad, then press the separate price setting key. By simply pressing the price setting keys one after another, the column numbers and set prices will be displayed one after another on the display.

(Problem that the invention aims to solve) In this conventional structure, only the set price of one storage column is displayed on the display, so it is difficult to check the set prices of all storage columns at a glance. Can not. For this reason, there is a problem in that even if there is a storage column where the set price is 0 yen due to no price setting operation or an operation error, it is difficult to confirm.

Furthermore, if the backup power supply is cut off due to a long power outage, the memory of the set price disappears and the price becomes 0 yen, which poses a problem for sales after the power is restored.

The present invention has been devised in view of the above-mentioned problems, and provides a vending machine that can prevent forgetting to set prices or mistakes in setting prices, and can notify you even if the memory of the set price is erased due to a long power outage. With the goal.

[Structure of the idea]

(Means for Solving the Problems) The vending machine of the present invention includes price storage means provided corresponding to a plurality of storage columns for storing products, and price storage means for each price storage means based on input from a numeric keypad. a price setting means for setting a selling price to be stored in the storage column; a sold-out display means for displaying sold-out of products for each storage column; and a price setting means for storing whether a selling price is set in each of the price storage means. a flag means; a control means for operating the sold-out display means for the storage column corresponding to the price storage means in which non-setting of the selling price is stored by the price setting flag means regardless of the presence or absence of the product; and a vending machine. a door opening/closing detection means for detecting the opening/closing operation of the door; and when the door opening/closing detecting means detects the opening/closing operation of the door, the price setting flag means stores that the selling price is not set. and voice generating means for notifying by voice that the price has not been set.

(Function) In the present invention, the control means operates the sold-out display means for the storage column corresponding to the price storage means in which the unset selling price is stored by the price setting flag means, regardless of the presence or absence of the product.

Further, the sound generating means notifies by voice that the selling price has not been set when the door body opening/closing detecting means detects the opening/closing operation of the door body and the price setting storage means has stored that the selling price has not been set.

(Example) Next, an example of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a vending machine. This vending machine consists of a main body 1 with an open front and a door body 2 that covers the main body 1.

A plurality of first to nth storage columns 4 ₁ , _{4 2} . . . 4 _o are arranged in parallel in the main body 1 and partitioned by partition plates _{3 .}
is provided with a holding rod 6 for holding the stored product 5 on the front side, and a regulating plate 7 for regulating the dispensing of two or more products 5 when discharging the product 5, and is provided at the lower end. A dispensing member 8 for dispensing the product 5 is provided, and product detecting means 9 for detecting the presence or absence of the product 5 is provided on the back side as shown in FIG. This product detection means 9 is constituted by a micro switch or the like that is turned on by being pressed by the product 5 located at the lowest end. Further, _the dispensing member 8 _includes product dispensing sections 10 ₁ , _{10 2 .}
It is driven by

Furthermore, a door opening/closing detection means 67 formed of a micro switch that is turned on and off when the door 2 is opened and closed is provided at the front corner of the main body 1.

The door body 2 is provided with a customer operation unit 11 at the top of the front face, an outlet 13 for taking out the product 5 that has been dropped into the product receiving unit 12 at the bottom, and a management unit 14 on the inside face. In addition, near the customer operation unit 11, there is a voice generating means 61 (not shown in FIG. 2) which will be described later.
A sound generating device 62 is provided.

As shown in FIG _. 4, the customer operation section 11 includes sold-out lamps 15 ₁ , 15 ₂ . There are selection buttons 16 ₁ , 16 _{2 .} . . 16 _o as product selection means for outputting the _product , and purchase ready lamps 17 ₁ , 17 ₂ . These correspond to each of the storage columns 4 ₁ , 4 _{2 .} . . 4 _o , and there is also a correspondence relationship between them. Note that the received amount refers to the amount of money invested or the amount obtained by subtracting the price of the product that has already been sold from the amount of money invested.

As shown in FIG. 5, the management section 14 includes an internal display section 18 capable of displaying 7 digits, a monitor lamp 30 for monitoring the status of the vending machine, and a management operation section 29. There is. This management operation unit 29 includes a numeric keypad 19 for inputting various numerical data, an inventory key 20 for instructing display of the number of stored products 5 in stock, a loading key 21 for instructing the number of stored products 5, and a same key. a parallel key 22 for instructing the setting of parallel columns in which products are stored;
An end key 23 for instructing the end of various instruction operations, a clear key 24 for clearing input data, and other sales aggregation keys 25 necessary for normal vending machines;
A bill number key 26, a price setting key 27 for setting the selling price of the product 5 as a price setting means, and a test key 28 are provided.

FIG. 6 shows a control means for controlling various operations of the vending machine.
It consists of a CPU (hereinafter referred to as a CPU) 33 and a random access memory (hereinafter referred to as a RAM) 34.

This CPU 33 has a product detection means 9, a selection button 1
6 ₁ , 16 ₂ ... 16 _o , a management operation unit 29, a door opening/closing detection means 67, a switch that is turned on to detect clogging of the product 5 when the dispensing member 8 is in a fixed position, etc. The ROM 32 is activated by signals input from a fixed position detection section 35 (not shown in FIG. 2) consisting of
Various calculations are performed based on the programs stored in the sold-out lamps 15 ₁ , 15 ₂ . . . 15 _o ,
Purchasable lamps 17 ₁ , 17 ₂ ... 17 _o , product dispensing sections 10 ₁ , 10 ₂ ... 10 _o , money dispensing section 37 for returning change, etc. (not shown in FIG. 2), internal display section 18 , external display 38, the first and second timers 39, 40, and the voice generating means 61 for providing voice guidance.

This voice generating means 61 includes a voice memory 63 that stores words to be transmitted by voice, and a RAM to be described later.
When the first audio flag 65 or the second audio flag 66 of 34 is set, the audio controller 64 selects and reads each word stored in the audio memory 63 and converts it into an analog audio signal, and the audio controller 64 inputs the audio signal. It is composed of a sound generating device 62 that generates sound.

The RAM 34 is provided with a memory area shown in FIG.

41 ₁ , 41 ₂ ...41 _o is a price memory for each column as a price storage means, and storage columns 4 ₁ , 4 ₂
...4 _o The price of the product 5 inputted by the key operation of the management unit 14 is stored separately. 42 ₁ , 42 ₂ ...4
2 _o is inventory memory by column, storage column 4 ₁ ,
4 ₂ . . . 4 _o The number of sold products 5 is subtracted from the number of products 5 input by key operations on the management unit 14 and stored. Parallel column memories 43 ₁ , 43 ₂ , 43 ₃ store three sets of storage column numbers 4 ₁ , 4 _{2 .} . . 4 _o that can be sold in parallel, one each in a and b. Reference numeral 44 denotes a received amount memory which stores the amount of money inserted by the customer or the amount obtained by subtracting the price of the product 5 that has already been purchased from this amount. Reference numeral 45 denotes a temporary inventory memory, which is input by key operation of the management unit 14 when storing the products 5 in each storage column 4 ₁ , 4 ₂ . . . 4 _o , and temporarily stores the number input at that time.

46 ₁ , 46 ₂ ... 46 _o are product selection flags, and when selection buttons 16 ₁ , 16 ₂ ... 16 _o are operated,
Based on this operation, the storage columns 4 ₁ , 4 ₂ . . . 4 _o selected by the CPU 33 are set. 47 ₁ , 47 ₂ ... 47 _o are sold out flags, which are detected by the product detection means 9 in the storage columns 4 ₁ , 4
₂ ...4 Set when it is detected that product 5 in _o is sold out.

48 ₁ , 48 ₂ . . . 48 _o is a jam flag, which is set if the dispensing member 8 does not return to the regular position within a predetermined time from the start of dispensing operation, and a jam during product dispensing is detected. Ru. 49 ₁ , 49 ₂ ...
49 _o is a purchase possible flag, which is set when the CPU 33 determines a product that can be purchased within the amount of money inserted or the remaining amount. 51 ₁ ,51
₂ ...51 _o is a fixed position detection flag, and product dispensing section 1
When the discharging members 8 of 0 ₁ , 10 _{2 .} 50 is a return flag, which is set when a return switch (not shown) is operated. Reference numeral 52 denotes a count memory that stores the counted value when setting the sales price, the counted value when confirming the price setting, and the counted value when setting parallel sales.

53 ₁ , 53 ₂ ...53 _o is a price setting flag as a price setting flag means and is a price memory 4 for each column.
When a value other than 0 is stored in 1 ₁ , 41 ₂ . . . 41 _o , it is set and stored. 65 is the first audio flag, and price setting flags 53 ₁ , 53 ₂ ...53 _o are 1
It is set when the door body opening/closing flag 68, which will be described later, is set when it has not been set at all. 66 is the second audio flag, and the clog flag 48
It is set when any one of ₁ , 48 ₂ ...48 _o is set.

The door opening/closing flag 68 is set when the door opening/closing detection means 67 detects opening or closing of the door 2, unless the door opening/closing flag 68 has already been set.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

First, the case of setting a selling price for a newly installed vending machine will be explained according to the flowchart shown in FIG. It is assumed that the column numbers 1, 2,...n are assigned to the storage columns 4 ₁ , 4 _{2 ,} . . . , 4 _o .

First, when the door body 2 is opened and a power switch (not shown) is turned on, a price setting confirmation process to be described later is executed. In this case, the selling price setting operation has not yet been performed and the price memories 41 ₁ , 41 ₂ . . .
Since the contents of 41 _o are all 0, all the sold out lamps 15 ₁ , 15 ₂ . . . 15 _o are lit regardless of the presence or absence of products. In addition, when the power is turned on, the door body 2 is already
Since it is in the open state, the door body open/close flag 68
is not set, and the first audio flag 65 is not set.

When the price setting key 27 of the management section 14 is operated in this state, the count memory 5
After setting the value l of 2 to 0, in step 102, 1 is added to the value l and this is newly stored as l.

In step 103, l becomes n+1, that is, the number of columns n.
Determine whether it is one greater than. This means that when the operation of the price setting key 27 is repeated, the operation corresponding to the nth storage column 4 _o will be followed by the operation corresponding to the first storage column 4.
This is to make it correspond to ₁ .

Since l=1 at this time, the column number 1 and the contents of the column-by-column price memory ₄₁₁ are displayed on the internal display section 18 in step 104. Furthermore, since the selling price of the first storage column ₄₁ is not set, its display is as shown in FIG. 9a.

In step 105, it is determined whether or not the sales price has been input using the numeric keypad 19. If the sales price has not been input, in step 106, the price setting key 27 is
Determine whether or not the has been operated. If the price setting key 27 is also not operated, step 10
At step 7, it is determined whether the end key 23 has been operated. If the end key 23 has not been operated, the process returns to step 105. That is, this process is repeated until any one of the numeric keypad 19, price setting key 27, and end key 23 is operated.

When the sales price is input using the numeric keypad 19,
The sales price input in step 108 is displayed on the internal display section 18. Here, the first storage column 4
If you enter 180 yen for item 5 in _{item 1} , the display will be shown in Figure 9b.
It becomes as shown in .

Next, in step 109, it is determined whether or not the clear key 24 has been operated, and if it has not been operated,
At step 110, it is determined whether the price setting key 27 has been operated. If the price setting key 27 is also not operated, the process returns to step 109.
In other words, clear key 24 or price setting key 27
Wait until one of them is operated.

If the clear key 24 is operated, the display on the internal display section 18 is cleared in step 111, and then the process returns to step 105. This is to correct a case where the wrong numeric keypad 19 is operated when inputting the sales price.

In addition, if the clear key 24 is not operated and the price setting key 27 is operated, each input
It is determined that the price of 180 yen has not changed and is to be stored, and in step 112 the selling price is set in a range preset by the program, for example from 10 yen in 10 yen increments.
Determine whether it is included within 2990 yen. This is to prevent pricing errors.

Since the input price is 180 yen, which is within the setting range, this value is stored in the price memory ₄₁₁ in step 113, and the price setting flag ₅₃₁ is set in step 115. If the input price is outside the set range, for example 185 yen, the process returns to step 109. In this case, unless a new price is input by operating the clear key 24 in step 109, this process will be repeated and the display will not change.

Next, the process moves on to the price setting operation for the second storage column ₄₂ , and in step 104, the display on the internal display section 18 is assumed to be as shown in FIG. 9c.

In addition, after the column number 1 and the contents of the price memory ₄₁₁ are displayed in step 104, the numeric keypad 19
If the price setting key 27 is operated without inputting the selling price, the selling price stored in the price memory ₄₁₁ is set to 0 in step 116.
Determine whether or not. If it is 0, the process returns to step 105, and if it is not 0, the process proceeds to step 112.

Further, if the end key 23 is operated after column number l is displayed in step 104 and before either the sales price is input using the numeric keypad 19 or the price setting key 27 is operated, the internal display is displayed in step 117. The display of section 18 is turned off, and the price setting operation is ended.

In this way, when all the sales prices up to the nth storage column 4 _o are stored, step 103
It is determined that l=n+1, and the process returns to step 101. In step 104, the first
Storage column 4 Displays 180, which is the selling price of ₁ .

If only 0 is entered as the selling price using the numeric keypad 19, it is the same as if nothing was entered, and the process proceeds from step 105 to step 106 to step 116.

In the above embodiment, when the contents of the price memory 41l are 0, it is not possible to proceed to the setting operation for the next column, but when the contents of the price memory 41l are determined to be 0 in step 116, the process goes to step 102 instead of step 105. If this is done, the selling prices of all columns can be sequentially viewed by simply operating the price setting key 27 even if any of the contents of the price memory 41l is 0.

In addition, in the above embodiment, unless the selling price is set to a value other than 0 yen and within a predetermined range, the selling price for the next column cannot be set, which seems to prevent forgetting to set the price. You may accidentally operate the end key 23 thinking that the settings have been completed even though they are not.
In such a case, prices will not be set for subsequent columns.

Next, the first process for confirming price setting will be explained based on the flowchart shown in FIG. This is executed when the power is turned on and at the end of one sales operation, which will be described later.

First, in step 121, the content l of the count memory 52 is set to 0, and in step 122, 1 is added to l, and this is stored in the count memory 52 as l. In step 123, it is determined whether l is 1 greater than the number of columns n, and since l=1, in step 124 the price setting flag 53 corresponding to l=1 is set.
Determine whether or not ₁ is set.

Then, if it is not set, go to step 12.
After turning on the corresponding sell-out lamp ₁₅₁ in step 5, the process returns to step 122. If it has been set, the process returns directly to step 122. In this way, l is sequentially increased, and it is determined whether the selling price of the product 5 stored in the storage columns 4 ₁ , 4 ₂ , . . . 4 _o having the column number corresponding to l is set. After confirming all sales prices, proceed to step 123.
Since l=n+1, this process ends.

Next, the second process of price setting confirmation will be explained according to the flowchart shown in FIG. This process is executed only when the door body 2 is opened or closed while the power is on.

When a new vending machine is installed, the door body 2 is opened and then a power switch (not shown) is turned on. Therefore, the door opening/closing flag 68 is not set when the door 2 is opened, and the second process for confirming price setting is not performed.

As mentioned above, each storage column 4 ₁ , 4 ₂ . . . 4 _o products 5 based on the sales price setting flowchart
After setting the sales price for the door body 2, perform operations such as setting parallel columns and setting the number of items to be loaded, which will be described later.
Close.

Then, this process is started based on the closing of the door body 2, and in step 131, the door body open/close flag 68 is set.
is set. In this case, it has not been set yet, so step 132
The door opening/closing flag 68 is set with .

Next, in step 133, the pricing flag 53
₁ , 53, ₂ ... _53o are all set, and if all are set, the door opening/closing flag 68 is reset in step 134,
This process ends.

Also, in step 133, the price setting flag 53
If even one of ₁ , 53, ₂ ... _53o is not set, the first audio flag 6 is set in step 135.
Set 5. Then, in step 136, the voice generator 62 is activated and gives voice guidance such as "Price setting has not been completed" or "Please set the price" to alert the administrator. .
This voice guidance continues until the first voice flag 65 is reset.

Next, the manager opens the door body 2 to set the price using voice guidance. Then, based on the opening of the door body 2, this process returns to the beginning. However, since the set door opening/closing flag 68 and first voice flag 65 remain as they are, the voice guidance continues, and the process moves from step 131 to step 137, following the flow of direct price setting from step 137 onward. Start ivy processing.

When the price is set in step 137 and the end key 23 is operated, it is again determined in step 138 whether all the price setting flags 53 ₁ , 53 _{2 .} . . 53 _o have been set. If all the price setting flags 53 ₁ , 53 _{2 ,} .

Also, in step 138, the price setting flag 53
If even one of the _{price setting flags 53 1 , 53 2 .}

Next, we will discuss setting operations for so-called parallel sales, in which products of the same price and with the same documents are stored and sold in multiple storage columns.

First, in order to carry out parallel sales, the case where column numbers for parallel sales are set in the parallel column memories 43 ₁ , 43 ₂ , 43 ₃ is explained in the 12th column.
This will be explained according to the flowchart shown in the figure. In addition, column-specific inventory memory 42 ₁ , 42 ₂ ... 42 _o
It is assumed that the value of is set.

First, when the parallel key 22 of the management section 14 is operated, in step 141, 1 is added to the value n=0 stored in the count memory 52, and this is newly stored as n. In step 142, it is determined whether n is 4 or not. This is because up to three sets can be set for parallel sales, so it is determined whether or not the sets of three sets have been completed.

Since n=1, the contents of the parallel column memory ₄₃₁ are displayed on the internal display section 18 in step 143. At this time, if n=2 or 3, the contents of the parallel column memories 43 ₂ and 43 ₃ are displayed, respectively. This display is as shown in FIG. 13a because the storage columns 4 ₁ , 4 _{2 .} . . 4 _o that can be sold in parallel are not set in the parallel column memory 43 ₁ .

At step 144, it is determined whether or not an input has been made using the numeric keypad 19 indicating column number a. If there is no input using the numeric keypad 19, it is determined in step 145 whether or not the end key 23 has been operated. If not, go to step 1
At step 46, it is determined whether or not the parallel key 22 has been operated, and if it has not been operated, the process returns to step 14.
Return to step 4 and repeat. In this way, the process waits until either the numeric keypad 19, the end key 23, or the parallel key 22 is operated.

Here, if the end key 23 is operated, the operations from step 145 to step 158 to be described later are performed. As a result, the parallel column memory 43
You can check whether the column number is set to ₁ or not.

Further, if the parallel key 22 is operated here, the process returns to step 141.

If there is an input, for example "01", using the numeric keypad 19, "01" is stored in the parallel column memory 431a in step ₁₄₇ , and in step 148, the internal display section 18 displays the input data as shown in FIG. 13b. Perform display.

Next, in step 149, it is determined whether the clear key 24 has been turned on. This is a judgment as to whether or not it is necessary to correct the column number to be stored in the parallel column memory _431. If the clear key 24 is turned on, the memory in the parallel column memory ₄₃₁ is reset in step 150. Then step 15
1, the count value n=1 of the count memory 52 is subtracted by 1, and the process returns to step 141.

If it is determined in step 149 that the clear key 24 is not turned on, then in step 152 the column number b constituting the parallel column is set to the number key 19.
If no input has been made, the process returns to step 149 and the clear key 24 is pressed.
The process waits until the button is operated or a column number is input using the numeric keypad 19. When a column number such as "02" is entered using the numeric keypad 19, step 1 is entered.
53, "02" is stored in parallel column memory _431b .

Then, in step 154, the parallel column memory 4
3 The two column numbers “01” stored in ₁ a and b
-02” column-specific price memory 41 ₁ , 4
1 Determine whether or not the _two memories are the same. If they are not the same, the process returns to step 150 and the operations described above are performed again. If they are the same, in step 155 the internal display section 18 displays the screen shown in FIG.
Display as shown below.

Next, in step 153, it is determined whether or not the clear key 24 that requires correction has been operated in the same way as described above, and if it has not been operated, it is determined in step 157 whether or not the end key 23 has been operated. to decide. If the end key 23 has not been operated, it is determined in step 159 whether or not the parallel key 22 has been operated. If the parallel key 22 has also not been operated, the process returns to step 156 and is repeated. In this way, the process waits until any of the clear key 24, end key 23, or parallel key 22 is operated.

Here, if the clear key 24 has been operated, the process returns to step 150 and the operations described above are performed again.

If the end key 23 is operated here, the display is turned off in step 158, and the parallel column set processing is ended.

If the parallel key 22 is operated at this point, the process returns to step 141 and the above operation is repeated thereafter.

In this way, the parallel column memories 43 ₁ , 4
3 ₂ , 43 Column numbers that constitute parallel columns in _3. For example, "01-02,""03-04," and "05-06."
remember.

In the above description, the RAM 34 is provided with _only column-specific price memories _{41 1} , _{41 2 .} However,
It is also possible to provide a new memory in the RAM 34 to store the types of products 5, and to compare not only the prices but also the types of products 5 to determine parallel columns.

Next, the sales operation based on the parallel columns set as described above will be explained according to the flowchart shown in FIGS. 14 and 15.

First, in step 161, it is determined whether or not the inserted money detection section 36 detects the insertion of money. This determination is made based on the presence or absence of an inserted coin detection signal that is output when true money is inserted into the inserted coin detection section 36. Note that the goods or unidentifiable coins are returned by the operation of the coin dispensing section 37.

If insertion of money is not detected in step 161, the received amount memory 44 is stored in step 162.
It is determined whether the amount m stored in is 0 or not.
As will be explained later, this may occur if the amount of money inserted is not enough to purchase product 5, or
If you do not select any product 5 and do not operate the return button even if you have already reached the amount to purchase product 5, or if you have already purchased one or more product 5 but still have the remaining amount, you may not select any product 5. This is because if the money can be purchased, the amount m stored in the received amount memory 44 is not 0 even if no money is inserted. If it is not 0, the process moves to step 165, which will be described later. If it is 0, the process returns to step 161 and waits until the purchase operation is started.

When insertion of money is detected in step 161,
In step 163, the amount based on the denomination signal output from the inserted coin detection section 36 is stored in the received amount memory 4.
4 is added to the amount m stored in 4, and this is stored again in the received amount memory 44.

Next, in step 164, it is determined whether the products stored in any of the storage columns 4 ₁ , 4 ₂ . . . 4 _o can be purchased with the stored amount of money. This process will be described later in accordance with the flowchart shown in FIG. After this judgment process Step 1
At step 65, it is determined whether even one of the purchase possible flags 49 ₁ , 49 ₂ . . . 49 _o is set.
If none is set, the return flag 50 is set based on the operation of the return button in step 166.
It is determined whether or not it is set, and if it is not set, the process returns to step 161. Also,
If it is set, it is determined in step 167 whether or not the second audio flag 66 is set. If it is set, it is reset in step 168, and then the process moves to step 199, which will be described later. If not, go directly to step 1
Move to 99. This second voice flag 66 indicates that a blockage occurs when the product 5 is dispensed, and the blockage flag 48 ₁ ,
It is set only when any one of ₄₈₂ ... _48o is set. Also, step 16
If at least one of the purchase possible flags 49 ₁ , 49 ₂ . . . 49 _o is set in 5, step 16
9 to set the purchasable flag, for example 4
The purchasable lamps 17 ₁ , 17 ₂ , 17 ₇ corresponding to 9 ₁ , 49 ₂ , 49 ₇ are turned on.

Next, in step 170, the clog flags 48 ₁ , 18
₂ ...Determine whether any of 48 _o is set. This clog flag 48 ₁ , 48 ₂ ... 4
_8o is set in step 184, which will be described later, if a jam occurs when dispensing the product 5. If any of the clog flags 48 ₁ , _{48 2} , . Then, in step 172, the sound generator 6
2 is activated, and voice purchase guidance is provided. This purchase guidance can be changed as appropriate depending on the contents stored in the voice memory 63, such as, for example, ``Please buy another product.'' or ``Please buy a product with a lit lamp indicating that other purchases are possible.'' Note that the flow after step 173 is executed even during this purchase guidance.

In addition, if no product 5 has been selected after the start of money insertion, or even if the dispensing operation of the already selected product 5 has been performed, if no jam has occurred, the jam flag 48 ₁ , 48 ₂ ...
Since none of the values 48 and _48o have been set, the process moves directly to step 173.

In step 173, it is determined whether any of the selection buttons _{16 1} , 16 ₂ , 16 ₇ corresponding to the set purchase available flags 49 ₁ , 49 ₂ , 49 ₇ has been operated or _not . 46 ₇
Search and decide. In addition, in this case, select button 16
If ₁ , 16 ₂ , and 16 ₇ are operated at the same time, all product selection flags 46 ₁ , 46 ₂ , and 46 ₇ will be set, but since there is a search order, this order is, for example, in ascending order of column numbers. If so, the product selection flag ₄₆₁ will be searched first, and since it is set, no further search will be performed, and therefore the result will be the same as if only the product selection flag ₄₆₁ had been set.

If none of the product selection flags 46 ₁ , 46 ₂ , and 46 ₇ are set in step 173, the first timer 3 is set in step 174.
9, it is determined whether or not the time measurement has been completed. This timer 39 determines whether or not a customer who has already purchased one or more products 5 will purchase the product 5 with the remaining amount or with an additional amount added to this amount, or if the selected product 5 is This is turned on in step 168 or step 197 in order to determine whether a customer who is unable to purchase due to a blockage should purchase another product. Therefore, if no product 5 has been purchased yet, the first timer 39 will not be turned on and the counting of the predetermined time will not be completed. In this case, since the determination at step 174 is always negative, the process moves to step 166.
Further, even if one or more products 5 have already been purchased and the first timer 39 is turned on in step 174, if timing is not yet completed, the process moves to step 166. Furthermore, if the time measurement has already been completed, the process moves to step 167.

If one of the product selection flags, for example ₄₆₁ , is set in step 173, it is determined in step 175 whether or not the second audio flag 66 is set, and if it is set, step 176 is performed. After resetting this second audio flag 66, the process moves to step 177, and if it has not been set, the process moves directly to step 177.

In step 177, other than the purchaseable flag 49 ₁ corresponding to the set product selection flag 46 ₁ , in this case, the purchaseable flags 49 ₂ , 49 ₇ ,
will be reset. This allows you to purchase lamp 17
₂ , 17 ₇ is also turned off.

Next, the product dispensing section 101 corresponding to the purchase possible flag ₄₉₁ set in step 178 is operated to cause the dispensing member ₈ to move the product to the first storage column 4.
Throw out one item 5 in item ₁ . At this time, in step 179, the second timer 40, which measures a predetermined time for detecting a jam in the dispensing of the product 5, is turned on simultaneously with the operation of the product dispensing section ₁₀₁ .

Next, in step 180, it is determined whether or not the dispensing member 8 has returned to the standby position by searching the home position detection flag ₅₁₁ . If it has not returned, it is determined in step 181 whether or not the second timer 40 has completed the time measurement, and if it has not, the process returns to step 180 again, and the dispensing member 8 returns to the standby position. Repeat until recovery or until timing is complete.

If the dispensing member 8 does not return to the standby position even after the timing has been completed, it is determined that the product 5 has become jammed during dispensing, and the product selection flag ₄₆₁ and purchase availability flag ₄₉₁ are set in step 182. Then, in step 183, the operation of the product dispensing section ₁₀₁ is stopped. Then, in step 184, the clogging flag 481 corresponding to the first storage column ₄₁ in which the clogging has occurred is set, and in step 185, the clogging flag ₄₈₁ is set.
The corresponding sold-out lamp ₁₅₁ flashes on and off.
Thereafter, in step 186, the first timer 39 is turned on, and the process returns to step 164.

Further, in step 180, the dispensing member 8 returns to the standby position within a predetermined time, and the fixed position detection flag 51 ₁
When is set, it means that the product has been successfully dispensed, so in step 187, the price of the dispensed product, that is, the set purchaseable flag, is calculated from the amount m stored in the received amount memory 44. The amount m ₁ stored in the column-based price memory 41 ₁ corresponding to 49 ₁ is subtracted, and the result is stored again in the received amount memory 44 as m. Further, in step 188, the number 1 of the dispensed products is subtracted from the number Z stored in the column-by-column inventory memory ₄₂₁ , and the result is stored again. And step 1
89, product selection flag 46 ₁ , purchase possible flag 4
9 ₁ , reset the fixed position detection flag 51 ₁ and turn off the purchasable lamp 17 ₁ . Step 190
Now, the operation of the product dispensing section ₁₀₁ is stopped.

Next, in step 191, it is determined whether the sold-out flag ₄₇₁ corresponding to the first storage column ₄₁ in which the product 5 that was thrown out was stored is set, and if it is not set, the step At step 192, the first process of confirming the price setting shown in FIG. 10 described above is performed, and then at step 193 it is determined whether m≧Cs. Note that m is the amount stored in the received amount memory 44, and Cs is the sold-out flag 47 ₁ , 4
7 ₂ ...47 _o unset storage column 4
₁ , 4 ₂ ...4 Column-specific price memory 4 corresponding to _o
1 ₁ , 41 ₂ ... This is the lowest amount stored in 41 _o .

If the sold-out flag ₄₇₁ is set in step 191, the parallel column memories ₄₃₁ , ₄₃₂ , 433 are searched in step ₁₉₄ to determine whether column number "01" is stored or not. Determine whether it is possible to sell. For example, if the column number "01" is stored in a of the parallel column memory ₄₃₁ as explained in the flow of the parallel column set, then in step 195, the column number "02" stored in b is stored. It is determined whether the sold-out flag ₄₇₂ is set. If the sold-out flag ₄₇₂ is not set, the process moves directly to step 192, and if the sold-out flag ₄₇₂ is set, or step 19
If it is determined in step 4 that parallel sales are not possible, the sold-out lamp ₁₅₁ is turned on in step 196, and then the process moves to step 192.

After executing the first process of confirming the price setting in step 192, if m≧Cs in step 193, the first timer 39 is turned on in step 197 for determining whether to continue selling product 5. , return to step 164.

If m≧Cs, the amount m stored in the received amount memory 44 is set to 0 in step 198.
If it is 0, one sales operation is completed, and if it is not 0, step 1 is completed.
At 99, the amount stored in the received amount memory 44 is dispensed as change by the coin dispensing section 37, and then the selling operation is ended.

Note that the clogging detection means is not limited to one that detects whether or not the dispensing member 8 returns to the normal position within a predetermined time as in the above-described embodiment; 5, if this product 5 blocks the light, the fixed position detection flag 51
₁ , 51 ₂ , . . . 51 _o may be set and detected by setting a confirmation flag instead. In addition, the products 5 thrown out _from the storage columns _{4 1 , 4 2 .} You may. Furthermore, the product dispensing section 1
0 ₁ , 10 _{2 .} . . 10 _o can also be detected by an increase in the load on the motor or the like.

Note that in the case of the configuration described in the first example, only one confirmation flag is required.

Further, in the above embodiment, if a jam occurs when dispensing the product 5, a process is performed to determine whether other products 5 can be purchased, and after lighting the purchase availability lamps 17 ₁ , 17 ₂ . . . 17 _o , the jam flag 48 ₁ ,48 ₂ ...48 _o
However, as shown by the dotted line in FIG.
₁ , 482 _{, .} . . _48o are set, the second voice flag 66 may be set in step 171a, and purchase guidance may be provided by voice in step 172a. However, in this case, since other products 5 may not be available for purchase with the received amount, the words in the purchase guide will also be changed accordingly.

In the above embodiment, only the clogging of the product 5 was explained as an abnormality during product dispensing, but this is not limited to this, and is also effective when an abnormality in the operation of the dispensing units 10 ₁ , 10 ₂ . . . 10 _o occurs. It is.

Next, the purchase possibility determination process will be explained according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, the amount stored in the received amount memory 44 is m, and the amount stored in the column-based price memory 41 ₁ corresponding to the first storage column 4 ₁ is C _1.
In this case, it is determined in step 164-1 whether C ₁ =0 or not, and if C ₁ =0, the second storage column 491 is set without setting the purchasable flag ₄₉₁ corresponding to the first storage column ₄₁ . Moving on to the judgment process of storage column _4-2 . This is to determine whether or not the selling price of the product in the first storage column ₄₁ has been set, and to not sell it if it has not been set.

If C ₁ =0 in step 164-1,
In step 164-2, it is determined whether m≧ _C1 ,
If m≧C ₁ , the object of judgment is moved to the second storage column ₄₂ without doing anything.

In addition, if m≧C ₁ , step 164-3
and the clog flag 4 corresponding to the first storage column 4 ₁
8 Determine whether or not ₁ is set, and if it is set, do nothing and change the target of determination to the second
Move to storage column 4 ₂ . Here, blockage flag 4
8 If ₁ is not set, step 16
In step 4-4, it is determined whether the sold-out flag ₄₇₁ corresponding to the first storage column ₄₁ is set.
If it is set, it is determined in step 164-5 whether parallel sales are possible, that is, whether column number "01" is written in the parallel column memories ₄₃₁ , ₄₃₂ , ₄₃₃ . If it is not stored, the object of judgment is moved to the second storage column ₄₂ without doing anything.

Further, if the column number "01" is stored in, for example, a of the parallel column memory ₄₃₁ as explained in the flow of the parallel column set, then in step 164-6, the memory of the parallel column memory ₄₃₁ is stored. It is determined whether the sold-out flag ₄₇₂ corresponding to the second storage column ₄₂ indicated by the column number "02" stored in b is set.

If the sold-out flag ₄₇₂ is set, nothing is done and the object of judgment is moved to the second storage column 4.
Move to ₂ . If it is not set, it is determined in step 164-7 whether or not the clogging flag ₄₈₂ corresponding to the second storage column ₄₂ is set, and if it is set, nothing is done and the determination is made. The object is moved to the second storage column ₄₂ . Further, if the sold-out flag ₄₇₂ is not set in step 164-6 and the clog flag ₄₈₂ is not set in step 164-7, the first storage column ₄₁ is not set in step 164-8. The purchase possible flag ₄₉₁ corresponding to the item is set, and the object of judgment is shifted to the second storage column ₄₂ .

Thereafter, the purchase availability of the second, third, . . . , up to the n-th storage column is determined in the same manner.

Next, a case will be described in which the contents of the RAM 34 are erased due to a power outage for a long time that cannot be backed up by the backup power source.

After a power outage, when power is restored, a first process of confirming price setting is executed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. Then, in this case, since all the price setting flags 53l have not been set in step 124, all the sold-out lamps ₁₅₁ , _{152 ,} .

Thereafter, when the administrator opens the door body 2, a second process of confirming price setting is executed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. In this case, step 13
Since the price setting flag 53l is not set in step 3, the first voice flag 65 is set in step 135, and voice guidance is provided to set the price in step 136.

In the above embodiment, a vending machine capable of parallel vending has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be similarly applied to a vending machine that cannot perform parallel vending. Further, even in the case of the vending machine of the embodiment, it can be used in the same way as a vending machine that cannot perform parallel vending unless the column number is stored in the parallel column memory.

Furthermore, the audio guidance at step 136 in the second process of price setting confirmation shown in FIG. 11 is as follows:
In addition to simply noting that no selling price has been set, the user may also be asked to tell the column number for which no selling price has been set. In order to do this _, a plurality of first voice flags 65 are provided corresponding _to each storage column _{4 1} , _{4 2 .} Storage columns that are not installed 4 ₁ , 4 ₂ ... 4
Determine _o and the first audio flag 6 of the corresponding column
5 is required, and of course, a mechanism for generating a column number corresponding to the first voice flag 65 set in the voice generating means 61 is also required.

[Effect of idea]

According to the present invention, a vending machine is newly installed to display a sold-out display for storage columns for which no selling price has been set, and to notify the necessity of price setting operation by voice when the door is opened or closed. It is possible to reliably prevent inconveniences such as forgetting the price setting operation or not setting the price due to an operational error when installing or resetting the selling price, and also prevent the stored selling price from being erased due to a long power outage, etc. If the item is sold out, it is possible to clearly indicate to the customer that the item cannot be purchased, and also notify the administrator of the need to reset the selling price.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the present invention;
The figure is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the vending machine of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a front view showing the storage column, FIG. 4 is a front view showing the customer operation section, and FIG. 5 is a front view showing the management section. , Figure 6 is a block diagram showing a vending machine,
Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the RAM memory area, Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of price setting, Fig. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the display state of the internal display section during price setting, and Fig. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the price setting process. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of the first process of setting price. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of parallel sales set. 14 and 15 are explanatory diagrams showing the flow of sales, and FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of purchase possibility determination processing. 2...Door body, 4 ₁ , 4 ₂ ...4 _o ...Storage column, 5...Product, 15 ₁ , 15 ₂ ...15 _o ...Sold out lamp as sold out display means, 19...Numeric keypad, 27 ...Price setting key as a price setting means, 32...Has a function as a control means
ROM, 33...Has a function as a control means
CPU, 34...Has a function as a control means
RAM, 41 ₁ , 41 ₂ ... 41 _o ... Price memory as price storage means, 53 ₁ , 53 ₂ ... 53 _o ...
...Price setting flag means, 61...Speech generation means,
67... Door body opening/closing detection means.

Claims (1)

[Scope of claim for utility model registration] Price storage means provided corresponding to a plurality of storage columns for storing products, and a price for setting the selling price to be stored in each price storage means based on input from a numeric keypad. a setting means; a sold-out display means for displaying sold-out of products for each of the storage columns; a price setting flag means for storing whether or not a selling price is set in each of the price storage means; control means for operating the sold-out display means for the storage column corresponding to the price storage means in which the unset selling price is stored regardless of the presence or absence of the product; and a door for detecting the opening/closing operation of the door body of the vending machine. body opening/closing detection means; and when the door body opening/closing detection means detects the opening/closing operation of the door body, and if the price setting flag means memorizes that the selling price has not been set, a voice notifying that the selling price has not been set; A vending machine characterized by comprising a generating means and.