JPH02308391A - Automatic vending machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To exactly and speedily confirm a merchandise by successively operating the display of a salable display part and / or sold-out display part group for the set time by operation to an automatic vending machine and displaying the number of the merchandises to be supplied or the number of the remaining merchandises corresponding to the display in an amount display part. CONSTITUTION:By executing the specified operation to the automatic vending machine, for example, by opening a door 3B of the automatic vending machine, the display of a salable display part 10 and / or sold-out display part 11 group is successively operated for the set time according to a prescribed pattern. Further, in such a display operating state, the number of the merchandises to be supplied or the number of the remaining merchandises corresponding to the display is displayed in an amount display part 12. Thus, only by visually observing the display parts 10 and 11 and the amount display part 12, the kind of the merchandise and the number of the merchandises to be supplied or the number of the remaining merchandises corresponding to this kind can be exactly and speedily confirmed and the merchandise can be speedily replenished without missing the kind of the merchandise to be replenished.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention provides a plurality of product storage units, a detection means for detecting the number of supplies or remaining number of products stored in each of the product storage units, and and a product number display section that displays the number of products to be supplied or the number of products remaining based on the detection result of the detection means, and the purchase of the product is permitted based on a detection signal indicating that an amount exceeding the displayed price of the product has been inserted. A sellable display section for displaying that the product is sold out and/or a sold-out display section for displaying that the product is sold out are provided in the vicinity of each of the product samples, the number of which corresponds to the type of product stored in each of the product storage sections; The present invention relates to a vending machine provided with an amount display section for displaying the amount of money inserted.

[Conventional technology]

In this type of vending machine, when the sold-out display section indicates that a product is sold out, the sold-out product is replenished, but in this case, the product is kept in the product storage section until the product is sold out. There was an inconvenience in that it was not possible to check the number of products supplied or the number of products remaining.

Therefore, conventionally, for example, detection means for separately detecting the number of supplies or remaining quantities of multiple types of products are provided, and based on the detection results of these detection means, the number of products supplied or the number of remaining products for each product storage section is displayed. A single product number display section is provided on the inner side of the door of the vending machine, and the number of product storage sections to be displayed on the product number display section and the number of products supplied or the number of products remaining in the product storage section corresponding to this number are provided. A display switching operation section for switching the display mode of the product number display section is provided near the product number display section in order to display the number of products supplied or the number of products remaining in the desired product storage section. If you want to,
After opening the door of the vending machine, by switching the display switching operation section provided on the inner side of the door, the desired product compartment number and the number of products supplied in the corresponding product compartment or The number of remaining products was displayed in the number of products display section.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, in the conventional configuration described above, although the product storage part number and the corresponding number of products to be supplied or the number of remaining products are displayed in the product number display section, the product is stored in the product storage part corresponding to the displayed product storage number. Unless you check each product type, it is impossible to determine which type of product the number of supplies or remaining quantity is indicated, so it only takes time to check the products for which the number of products in supply or the number of products remaining is displayed. Not, but
There was a risk of incorrect product confirmation.

In addition, when replenishing products, if you want to check the number of products replenished or the number of products remaining in each product storage section,
One object of the present invention is that it is necessary to switch the display switching operation sections one by one for each product storage section, and it takes time to check the number of products supplied or the number of products remaining in each product storage section. By making effective use of the configuration originally installed in vending machines and making simple modifications, we will be able to accurately and quickly confirm the products that correspond to the displayed number of products supplied or the number of products remaining. The purpose of the present invention is to enable quick confirmation of the number of products supplied or the number of products remaining in each product storage section.

[Means to solve the problem]

In the vending machine according to the present invention, in which the number of products display section is configured, the sale possible display section and/or the sold out display section group are sequentially activated for a set time according to a predetermined pattern by a specific operation on the vending machine. In addition to providing a display state switching means, in the display operating state of each saleable display section and/or each sold out display section, the number of products supplied or the number of products remaining in the corresponding product storage section is displayed on the price display section. In order to do so, a display mode switching means (B) is provided for switching the amount display section from an amount display mode that displays the input amount to a product supply number display mode or product remaining number display mode that displays the number of products supplied or the number of products remaining. It has certain characteristics, and its effects and effects are as follows.

[For production]

By performing a specific operation on the vending machine, for example, by opening the door of the vending machine, the available-for-sale display section and/or the sold-out display section group are activated to display a set time in sequence according to a predetermined pattern, and in this display operation state, The corresponding number of products to be supplied or the number of products remaining is displayed on the amount display section.

In other words, after performing a specific operation on the vending machine,
By visually observing the product sample provided near the active sellable display section and/or sold out display section,
It is possible to immediately recognize which product out of multiple types of products it is. At this time, by visually observing the amount display section, the number of supplied products or the number of remaining products corresponding to the recognized product can be immediately recognized.

Then, when the currently active sellable display section and/or sold out display section goes out and the next sellable display section and/or sold out display section is activated, the display is activated in the same manner as described above. Confirm the type of product from the product sample near the available for sale display section and/or sold out display section, and confirm the number of products in stock or the number of remaining products corresponding to the confirmed product from the price display section, and then proceed to sell. It is possible to check the type of product and the number of products to be supplied or the number remaining each time the available display section and/or the sold out display section is activated, and to recognize the number of products to be supplied or the number of products remaining in each of all product storage sections. .

〔Effect of the invention〕

Therefore, by configuring the sellable display section and/or sold out display section and the price display section near the product sample as described above, you can easily identify the type of product by simply looking at these display sections and the price display section. The corresponding number of products to be replenished or the number of products remaining can be confirmed accurately and quickly, and products can be quickly replenished without making a mistake in the type of product to be replenished.

Moreover, the display section for recognizing the number of products in supply or the number of remaining products is also configured to serve as an amount display section which is originally provided with the display section, and also displays the amount display section as well as a sellable display section and/or a sold out display section. The number of products supplied or the number of remaining products can be recognized by a simple modification of changing the lighting state of the section as described above, and it is also possible to reduce costs.

Furthermore, once you perform a specific operation on a vending machine,
The number of products supplied or the number of products remaining in each product storage section can be confirmed sequentially in a predetermined pattern, and there is no need to switch the display switching operation section for the number of product storage sections as in the past. The number of products supplied or the number of products remaining in each product storage section can be quickly confirmed, and products can be replenished even more quickly.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.

Figures 3 and 4 show a vending machine, which has multiple product storage sections (1) for separately storing multiple types of products (S) such as cans and bottles in the left-right and front-back directions. A chute (2) is arranged in parallel and guides the products (S) selectively dispensed from the lower part of the product storage section (1) forward downhill, and the plurality of product storage sections (1) are arranged in parallel. The casing (3A) is provided with a swingable opening/closing m (3B) which closes the opening of the casing (3A).

A product discharging rotary body (4) for dropping and supplying the products (S) one by one to the chute (2) is provided at the lower end of each of the product storage units (1). ), a potentiometer-type product dispensing sensor (5) is used as a detection means for detecting the number of supplies of each product (S) stored in each product storage section (1) by counting the number of times the product is discharged. At the same time, a product number display section (6) for displaying the number of products to be supplied based on the detection result of the product dispensing sensor (5) is provided, and based on the number of products to be supplied displayed on the product number display section (6). The product (S) is then replenished. Note that the product dispensing sensor (
Every time the sensor (5) detects, a counter (not shown) connected to the sensor (5) operates to count and detect the number of products supplied.

On the door (3B), there are multiple types of product samples (7) in the upper and lower sections.
They are arranged in rows. A transparent plastic front panel (8) that closes the front opening of the door (3B) is provided in front of each of the upper and lower product samples (7). ) through product samples (
7) should be visible.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, each product sample (7)
A transparent plastic product selection button (9) is provided near the bottom of the button, and each of the product selection buttons (9)
A sellable lamp (10 ) and a sold-out lamp (11) as a sold-out display section that displays sold-out of the product (S) is provided so that it can be viewed through the product selection button (9). When the price exceeds the price, the corresponding sellable lamp (10) becomes lit, and the product selection button (9) corresponding to a specific lamp (10) of the lit sellable lamps (10) is pressed. As a result, the selected product (S) is dispensed and the sellable lamp (10) is turned off. Incidentally, when all the products (S) in the product storage section (1) have been paid out, the sold-out lamp (11) is switched to a lit state.

The lamps (10) and (11) may be composed of semiconductor elements such as light emitting diodes, or may be composed of various types of light bulbs.

As shown in Figure 2, the m (3B) has an amount display section (12) that digitally displays the amount inserted into the vending machine and also digitally displays the difference between the amount inserted and the product display price. ) is provided.

The number of products display section (6) is configured such that the group of ready-to-sell lamps (10) are sequentially displayed according to a predetermined pattern by a specific operation on the vending machine, that is, by opening the door (3B) of the vending machine. A lighting state switching means (A) is provided to turn on the lighting for a set time, and in the lighting state of each sellable lamp (10), the corresponding number of products to be supplied is displayed on the price display section (12);
A display mode switching means (B) is provided for switching the amount display section (12) from an amount display mode in which the input amount is displayed to a product supply number display mode in which the number of products supplied is displayed. Incidentally, both the switching means (A) and (B) are provided in a control device (13) which will be described later.

Next, a control device (1) that switches the display state of the sellable lamp (10) and the display state of the amount display section (12), respectively.
3) will be explained.

As shown in Fig. 6, when the contact with the field (3B) is released by the opening operation of R (3B), ONL detects that the door (3B) is in the open state. Based on the detection information from the door opening detection limit switch (14), the product selection information from the plurality of product selection buttons (9), and the information from the money detection sensor (15) that detects inserted money. Two lamps (10), (
11) and five circuits (16), (17) for displaying and operating the amount display section (12).

A control device (13) is provided that outputs a control signal to each of (18), (19), (20) and a drive circuit (21) that rotates the rotating body (4).

Therefore, while the door open detection limit switch (14) detects that the door (3B) is closed, the sell ready lamp (10), the sold out lamp (11), and the amount display section ( 12), the lighting circuits (16), (18) and the extinguishing circuit (1
7) and (19), a control signal is output from the control device (13) to each of the display circuit (20). In other words,
The ready-for-sale lamp (10) switches from an off state to a on state when an amount equal to or more than the product display price is invested, and
The sold-out lamp (11) switches from the off state to the on state when the product (S) is sold out, and the amount display part (12)
displays the amount invested, then clicks the product selection button (
By pressing 9), the difference between the product's displayed price and the amount invested will be digitally displayed.

When the door open detection limit switch (14) detects that the door (3B) is open, the lamp (lO) located at the upper left end of the group of sellable lamps (10) is activated. The lamp (10) is turned on for a set time (for example, 2 seconds), and as this lamp (10) goes out, the adjacent lamp (10) on the right side is turned on for a set time (2 seconds, for example). Then, the lamp (1
0) goes out, the lamp located at the lower left end (10
), the lighting is activated for the pre-dispensing-like set time (2 seconds), and as the lamp (10) located at the lower right end goes out, the lighting operation of the lamp (lO) group is completed. In addition, the lamp (
10) The lighting time can be changed to any desired time by operating a keyboard (not shown) provided in the vending machine.

In the lighting state of each of the lamps (10), as shown in FIG.
), (o), and (c), the number of products to be supplied corresponding to the lit lamp (10) is displayed on the amount display section (1).
2) can be digitally displayed to immediately confirm the number of products supplied corresponding to each product (S).

When confirming the number of products to be supplied, the replenisher may memorize the product (S) that has become extremely low and the corresponding number of supplies, and replenish the product (S) based on this memory;
Alternatively, the number of products to be replenished, which is displayed on the price display section (12), is written on a card or the like on which the product name is written, and the product (S) is replenished based on this written card.

In addition, if you want to check the number of products supplied again, m (3B
) is brought into the closed state once, and then brought into the open state.

The number of products supplied may be displayed repeatedly according to a predetermined pattern until the field (3B) is closed.

The control device (13) is equipped with a calculation section,
This calculation unit calculates the number of products (S) counted by the product dispensing sensor (5) from the number of full products in each product storage section (1).
) The remaining number of products can be calculated by subtracting the number of items. Then, display the remaining number of products in the amount display section (1
2) may be digitally displayed. In addition, when replenishing the product (S) into the product storage section (1), it is necessary to replenish the product (S) until the product storage section (1) is full.

Adjacent product sample (7) of the product sample (7) group
, (7) are the same, the sellable lamp (10) corresponding to the leftmost product sample (7) among these same product samples (7) and (7).
At the same time, the amount display section (12) digitally displays the total number of products supplied, which is the sum of the number of products supplied in the plurality of product storage sections (1) in which the same product (S) is stored. . In addition, the adjacent product samples (7), (7
) are the same, each salable lamp (1
0) may be lit, and the corresponding number of products supplied may be digitally displayed. After the lamp (10) goes out, the sellable lamp (10) corresponding to the product sample (7) of a different type from the product sample (7) is turned on, and the corresponding number of products to be supplied is displayed. Amount display section (12
), and thereafter, the display on the lamp (10) and amount display section (12) is switched in the same manner as described above.

[Another example]

In the embodiment described above, the display states of the sellable lamp (10) and the price display section (12) are changed by opening the door (3B), but the key for locking the door (3B) is unlocked by the unlocking operation. The display state of the lamp (10) and the amount display section (12) may be changed by changing the display state of the lamp (10) and the amount display section (12).Alternatively, the lamp (10) and the amount display unit (12) may be changed by 10) and the amount display section (12) may be switched, and the specific configuration for switching the display states of the lamp (lO) and the amount display section (12) can be freely changed.

Further, in the embodiment described above, both the ready-to-sell lamp (10) and the sold-out lamp (11) are provided, but it is also possible to provide only one of the lamps.

Further, in the embodiment described above, the display state of the sellable lamp (10) was switched by the display state switching means (A), but the display state of the sold out lamp (11) may also be changed, or the display state of the sellable lamp (11) could be changed. 10) and the sold-out lamp (11) may be switched.

Further, in the above embodiment, the sellable display section (10) and the sold out display section (11) were constructed from lamps, but they may also be constructed from a buzzer or a display board with characters or figures written on them. 10) The specific configurations of (11) can be changed freely.

Further, in the above embodiment, the product storage section (1) is configured in a serpentine type, but it may also be configured in a vertical column type, slanted shelf type, or stacked two, and the specific configuration of the product storage section (1) is free. can be changed to

Further, in the embodiment described above, the lamps (10) are turned on sequentially from the one located at the left end to the one adjacent to the right, but the lamps (10) adjacent to the left are sequentially turned on from the one located at the right end. The lamp (work 0) may be turned on and activated.
You can freely change the order in which the lights are lit.

Further, in the above embodiment, the detection means (5) is configured to detect the number of products (S) supplied, but it may be configured to detect the remaining number of products (S). Note that the specific configuration in this case can be changed freely.

Further, in the above embodiment, the product samples (7) are provided in two levels, upper and lower, but they may be provided in only one level, or may be provided in three or more levels, upper and lower.

Incidentally, although reference numerals are written in the claims section for convenient comparison with the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the structure shown in the accompanying drawings.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show an embodiment of the vending machine according to the present invention, and FIGS. 1 and 2 are enlarged views of main parts, FIGS. 3 and 4 are partially cutaway perspective views and vertical sectional views, and FIGS. Figure ((), (El)
, (c) is an explanatory diagram showing the lighting state of the sellable lamp, and FIG. 6 is a block diagram.

Claims (1)

[Claims] Multiple product storage sections (1) and each of these product storage sections (1)
a detection means (5) for detecting the number of supplies or the remaining number of each product (S) stored in the interior, and a number of products for displaying the number of products supplied or the number of products remaining based on the detection result of the detection means (5). a display section (6), and a sellable display section (10) for displaying that purchase of the product (S) is permitted based on a detection signal indicating that an amount exceeding the displayed price of the product has been inserted; Or a sold out display section (11) that displays the sold out of the product (S).
) is the product (S) stored in each product storage section (1).
Amount display portions (7) are provided near each of the product samples (7) in a number corresponding to the types of products, and display amount display portions (7) for displaying the amount of money inserted.
12), in which the number of products display section (6) is configured, the sale possible display section (10) and/or the sold out display section ( 11) A display state switching means (A) is provided for sequentially displaying the groups for a set time according to a predetermined pattern, and in the display operating state of each sellable display section (10) and/or each sold-out display section (11). , In order to display the number of products supplied or the number of products remaining in the corresponding product storage section (1) on the amount display section (12), the amount display section (12)
2) Display mode switching means (B) for switching from the amount display mode that displays the input amount to the product supply number display mode or product remaining number display mode that displays the number of products supplied or the number of products remaining.
A vending machine with a