vending machine

Abstract

To facilitate the modification of the illuminated part of the selection button. [Solution] A vending machine is provided with a product selection button device 6 having a selection button 61 which incorporates a first light-emitting unit 612a and a second light-emitting unit 612b, and which lights up the first light-emitting unit 612a when a first light-emitting command is given from the main control unit 10, and lights up the second light-emitting unit 612b when a second light-emitting command is given from the main control unit 10, wherein the product selection button device 6 includes a button control unit 62 which lights up at least one of the first light-emitting unit 612a and the second light-emitting unit 612b when the first light-emitting unit 612a and the second light-emitting unit 612b emit light of the same color, provided that at least one of the first light-emitting command and the second light-emitting command is given from the main control unit 10.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vending machine.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a plurality of product selection button devices are provided in a vending machine. The product selection button device includes a plurality of selection buttons and a button control unit. The selection button is a push button for selecting a product, and includes, for example, a first light emitting unit that emits orange light and a second light emitting unit that emits blue light as sellable lamps. When a first light emission command is given from the main control unit of the vending machine to the corresponding selection button, the button control unit lights up the first light emitting unit, while when a second light emission command is given from the main control unit, the button control unit lights up the second light emitting unit (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in the above vending machine, for the sellable lamps of each selection button, there is a request for single-color light emission such as green color according to the brand image of an administrator or the like. In order to meet such a request, in the vending machine, it is necessary to make one of the first light emitting unit and the second light emitting unit emit green light and the other not emit light.

[0005] However, in order to light only the first light emitting unit in this way, it is necessary to set the main control unit to send only the first light emission command. Therefore, for vending machines already installed in the market, the work of changing the light emission color of the light emitting units in each selection button has been complicated.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a vending machine that allows for easy modification of the light-emitting part of the selection button. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objective, the vending machine according to the present invention is a vending machine equipped with a product selection button device having a selection button incorporating a first light-emitting unit and a second light-emitting unit, wherein the first light-emitting unit is lit when a first light-emitting command is given from the main control unit, and the second light-emitting unit is lit when a second light-emitting command is given from the main control unit, wherein the product selection button device is equipped with a button control device that lights up at least one of the first light-emitting unit and the second light-emitting unit on the condition that at least one of the first light-emitting command and the second light-emitting command is given from the main control unit when the first light-emitting unit and the second light-emitting unit emit the same color.

[0008] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned vending machine, the button control unit can switch between a fully lit mode, in which the first light-emitting unit and the second light-emitting unit are lit, and a partially lit mode, in which the first light-emitting unit or the second light-emitting unit is lit, when at least one of the first light-emitting command and the second light-emitting command is given from the main control unit, under the condition that the first light-emitting unit and the second light-emitting unit emit light of the same color.

[0009] The present invention also provides the above-mentioned vending machine, comprising a front door provided on the main cabinet in such a manner that it opens and closes the front opening of the main cabinet, and having a cancellation operation unit provided on the front door that cancels the selection of a product by being operated together with the selection buttons, wherein the main control unit provides at least one of the first light emission command and the second light emission command to all product selection button devices when the front door moves in the opening direction and the front opening is opened and the cancellation operation unit is operated, or when the front door moves in the closing direction and the front opening is closed while the cancellation operation unit is operated, thereby illuminating the first light emission unit and the second light emission unit of all selection buttons provided on the front door.

[0010] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned vending machine, when the main control unit lights up the first light-emitting part and the second light-emitting part of all the selection buttons arranged on the front door, it also lights up other light-emitting elements provided on the front door.

[0011] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned vending machine, when the main control unit illuminates the first light-emitting unit and the second light-emitting unit of all selection buttons arranged on the front door, it turns off the first light-emitting unit and the second light-emitting unit after a predetermined time has elapsed since the operation on the cancellation operation unit was completed.

[0012] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned vending machine, when the main control unit illuminates the first light-emitting unit and the second light-emitting unit, as well as the light-emitting element, of all selection buttons arranged on the front door, it turns off the first light-emitting unit and the second light-emitting unit, along with the light-emitting element, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the operation on the cancellation operation unit was completed.

[0013] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned vending machine, the cancellation operation unit is a return lever. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, when the first light-emitting unit and the second light-emitting unit emit light of the same color, the button control unit lights up at least one of the first light-emitting command and the second light-emitting command provided by the main control unit. Therefore, even if the first light-emitting unit and the second light-emitting unit emit light of the same color, it is not necessary to change the settings of the main control unit, and the operation of changing the light-emitting unit in the selection button can be easily performed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a front view showing the external appearance of an automatic vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the vending machine shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of the vending machine shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the product selection button device shown in Figure 3. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the processing steps for the "available for sale" lamp illumination process performed by the button control unit shown in Figure 4. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the processing details of the full lighting control process performed by the main control unit shown in Figure 3. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] A preferred embodiment of the vending machine according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0017] Figure 1 is a front view showing the external appearance of a vending machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the vending machine shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of the vending machine shown in Figure 1.

[0018] The vending machine illustrated here uses beverages contained in containers such as cans and plastic bottles as products, and sells these products in a cooled or heated state. It includes a main body cabinet 1 and a front door 2.

[0019] The main body cabinet 1 is formed by combining a plurality of steel plates, and is configured in a box shape with a heat-insulating structure having an opening (hereinafter also referred to as a front opening) 1a on the front surface. The front door 2 is for closing the front opening 1a of the main body cabinet 1, and is supported on one side edge (left side edge) of the main body cabinet 1 in an openable and closable manner.

[0020] A pop-up handle 21 is provided in the middle of the upper right side of the front surface of the front door 2. The pop-up handle 21 is for locking the front door 2 in the closed state. It is locked by pushing in the pop-up handle 21 when the front door 2 is closed, and when an unlocking operation is performed, the pop-up handle 21 pops up (protrudes), enabling the front door 2 to be opened.

[0021] An exhibition room 3 is provided in the upper region of the front surface of the front door 2. The exhibition room 3 is for displaying product samples D of the products sold by the vending machine, and is defined by a middle door 4 attached to the rear side of the front door 2 so as to be openable and closable and a transparent illuminated panel 31 fitted on the front side of the front door 2, enabling the user to visually recognize the inside of the exhibition room 3 from the front side of the vending machine.

[0022] Inside the exhibition room 3, three stages 32 for displaying products are arranged vertically, and product samples D are displayed side by side on each stage 32. Also, on the transparent illuminated panel 31 fitted on the front side of the front door 2, three product selection button devices 6 are arranged vertically and two are arranged horizontally corresponding to the stages 32.

[0023] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the product selection button device 6 shown in Figure 3. As shown in this Figure 4, the product selection button device 6 is configured to include a plurality of selection buttons 61 and a button control unit (button IC) 62.

[0024] Multiple selection buttons 61 (five in the illustrated example) are provided to correspond to product samples D. These selection buttons 61 are for selecting products. In this embodiment, the product selection button device 6 had, for example, five selection buttons 61 in the left-right direction, but in the present invention, it may have, for example, six selection buttons 61 in the left-right direction, or four selection buttons 61.

[0025] Each of the above selection buttons 61 is equipped with a switch 611, a "available" lamp 612, a "sold out" LED 613, and a "preparing" LED 614. Switch 611 switches from off to on when one of the selection buttons 61 is pressed.

[0026] The available-for-sale lamp 612 lights up when a product is available for selection and includes a first light-emitting section 612a and a second light-emitting section 612b. In this embodiment, the first light-emitting section 612a and the second light-emitting section 612b are composed of LEDs that emit the same color (for example, green).

[0027] The Sold Out LED 613 lights up when the product is sold out, informing the user that the product is no longer available for sale. The Preparation LED 614 lights up when the product is not yet ready for sale, for example, if a product sold in a heated state is not sufficiently heated, or if a product sold in a cooled state is not sufficiently cooled.

[0028] The button control unit 62 comprises a CPU (processing unit, control unit) 621 and a memory (storage unit) 622. The memory 622 of the button control unit 62 stores a serial number (identification number) associated with the selection button 61. When any of the selection buttons 61 is pressed, the CPU 621 of the button control unit 622 refers to the memory 622, identifies the serial number of the pressed selection button 61, and transmits the serial number of the pressed selection button 61 to the main control unit 10 (see Figure 3), which will be described later.

[0029] Memory 622 also stores an address number indicating the address located in the storage area of ​​the main control unit 10 to which the selection button 61 is assigned. The address located in the storage area of ​​the main control unit 10 is the data storage location and is assigned in association with the serial number of the selection button 61 of the product selection button device 6.

[0030] Then, when the main control unit 10 sends a command (control instruction) and the address number of the address where the data for the selection button 61 to be controlled is stored, the CPU 621 of the button control unit 62 refers to the memory 622, identifies the selection button 61, and executes the command. The memory 622 of the button control unit 62 of the product selection button device 6 also stores the configuration (number and arrangement) of the selection buttons 61.

[0031] In the middle of the front door 2, which is located below the exhibition room 3 mentioned above, there is a coin slot 23, a banknote slot 24, an integrated display unit 25, and a return lever 26.

[0032] The coin slot 23 is an opening for receiving coins, and the coins inserted through the coin slot 23 are housed in a coin mechanism 71 mounted inside the front door 2. The coin mechanism 71 organizes the number of each type of coin inserted and transmits this information to the main control unit 10, while also dispensing the coins according to commands from the main control unit 10.

[0033] The banknote slot 24 is an opening for receiving banknotes, and the banknotes inserted through the banknote slot 24 are stored in the bill validator 72 mounted inside the front door 2. The bill validator 72 sorts the number of banknotes inserted and transmits it to the main control unit 10, while dispensing the banknotes according to the commands from the main control unit 10.

[0034] The integrated display unit 25 is used to display various information such as "on sale," "out of change," "preparing," "no more bills," the amount inserted, and information on various settings. It displays various information according to commands from the main control unit 10.

[0035] The return lever 26 is a cancellation operation unit for instructing the interruption of a transaction. When the return lever 26 is pressed, the transaction is interrupted, the inserted coins are released from the coin mechanism 71 into the return slot 27, and the inserted banknotes are returned from the bill validator 72 to the banknote slot 24. When the return lever 26 is pressed, the transaction is interrupted, and the selection of goods made with the selection button 61 is canceled.

[0036] A product dispensing opening 28 is provided below the front door 2. The product dispensing opening 28 is an opening for retrieving products dispensed from the inside. A remote control 9 is installed inside the front door 2. The remote control 9 is used for various setting operations and checking various sales data.

[0037] As shown in Figure 3, the product selection button device 6, integrated display unit 25, and remote control 9 are connected to the main control unit 10 via line 81 along with the open / close detection unit 8, and the coin mechanism 71, bill validator 72, and return lever 26 are connected to the main control unit 10 via line 82.

[0038] The opening / closing detection unit 8 is a detection means for detecting the opening and closing of the front opening 1a of the main cabinet 1. When the front opening 1a of the main cabinet 1 is closed by the front door 2, the opening / closing detection unit 8 detects that the front opening 1a is closed and sends a detection signal to the main control unit 10 to that effect. On the other hand, when the front door 2 swings in the direction of opening and the front opening 1a is opened, the opening / closing detection unit 8 detects that the front opening 1a is open and sends a detection signal to the main control unit 10 to that effect.

[0039] The main control unit 10 centrally manages the control of each slave, such as the product selection button device 6, integrated display unit 25, remote control 9, open / close detection unit 8, coin mechanism 71, and bill validator 72, and controls each slave based on various setting data.

[0040] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the processing details of the sales-ready lamp illumination process performed by the button control unit 62 shown in Figure 4.

[0041] In this process of illuminating the available-for-sale lamp, the CPU 621 of the button control unit 62 determines whether or not a first light emission command or a second light emission command has been issued from the main control unit 10 (steps S101, S102).

[0042] If the main control unit 10 has not issued the first and second light emission commands (step S101: No, step S102: No), the CPU 621 of the button control unit 62 repeats this determination process.

[0043] On the other hand, if the main control unit 10 issues a first light emission command or a second light emission command (step S101: Yes, step S102: Yes), the CPU 621 of the button control unit 62 lights up the first light-emitting part 612a and the second light-emitting part 612b of the available lamp 612 for the corresponding selection button 61 (step S103).

[0044] In this way, the CPU 621 of the button control unit 62, which has lit the first light-emitting unit 612a and the second light-emitting unit 612b of the corresponding selection button 61, determines whether or not a command to turn off the lights has been issued from the main control unit 10 (step S104).

[0045] If no power-off command is issued from the main control unit 10 (step S104: No), the CPU 621 of the button control unit 62 repeats this determination process. As a result, the illumination of the first light-emitting unit 612a and the second light-emitting unit 612b, which was performed in step S103, continues.

[0046] If a command to turn off the lights is issued from the main control unit 10 (step S104: Yes), the CPU 621 of the button control unit 62 turns off the first light-emitting unit 612a and the second light-emitting unit 612b of the corresponding selection button 61 (step S105), and then returns to the previous step to end the current process.

[0047] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the processing details of the full lighting control process performed by the main control unit 10 shown in Figure 3.

[0048] In this full-light control process, the main control unit 10 determines whether the front opening 1a is open or not by inputting the detection result from the opening / closing detection unit 8 (step S201). If the front opening 1a is not open (step S201: No), the main control unit 10 repeats this determination process.

[0049] If the front opening 1a is open (Step S201: Yes), the main control unit 10 waits for the return lever 26 to be pressed (Step S202). When the return lever 26 is pressed (Step S202: Yes), the main control unit 10 issues a light-emitting command, including a first light-emitting command and a second light-emitting command, to the button control units 62 of all product selection button devices 6, and also issues a light-emitting command to other light-emitting elements provided on the front door 2, such as the integrated display unit 25, thereby illuminating all light-emitting elements on the front door 2, including the available lamp 612, sold-out LED 613, and ready LED 614 of each selection button 61, as well as the integrated display unit 25 (Step S203).

[0050] Having turned on all the lights in this manner, the main control unit 10 determines whether a preset total lighting time (predetermined time) has elapsed since the return lever 26 was pressed (step S204). That is, the main control unit 10 determines whether the elapsed time since the return lever 26 was pressed has exceeded the total lighting time.

[0051] If the full illumination time has not elapsed since the operation of pressing the return lever 26 was completed (step S204: No), the main control unit 10 repeats this determination process. As a result, the full illumination performed in step S203 is continued.

[0052] If the entire illumination time has elapsed since the operation of pressing the return lever 26 was completed (step S204: Yes), the main control unit 10 performs normal illumination in the standby state (step S205), and then returns the procedure to end the current process.

[0053] As described above, according to the vending machine embodiment of the present invention, the button control unit 62 of the product selection button device 6 lights up the first light-emitting unit 612a and the second light-emitting unit 612b when the first light-emitting unit 612a and the second light-emitting unit 612b emit light of the same color, provided that at least one of the first light-emitting command and the second light-emitting command is given by the main control unit 10. Therefore, even if the first light-emitting unit 612a and the second light-emitting unit 612b emit light of the same color, it is not necessary to change the settings of the main control unit 10. Accordingly, the operation of changing the light-emitting unit on the selection button 61 can be easily performed.

[0054] According to the above vending machine, when the button control unit 62 of the product selection button device 6 receives a first light emission command or a second light emission command from the main control unit 10, it lights up the first light-emitting unit 612a and the second light-emitting unit 612b. This increases the amount of light emitted from each selection button 61, making it easier to appeal to users.

[0055] Furthermore, according to the above vending machine, when the main control unit 10 operates in the direction that opens the front door 2 and the front opening 1a is opened, and the return lever 26 is pressed, all lights are turned on. This allows workers performing tasks such as replenishing products to easily check the lights and detect lighting malfunctions early. By detecting lighting malfunctions early in this way, maintenance work can be carried out promptly, reducing the time during which users experience inconvenience in purchasing and increasing the operating rate.

[0056] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto and can be modified in various ways.

[0057] In the above-described embodiment, when a first or second light emission command was given, the button control unit 62 of the corresponding product selection button device 6 was configured to light up the first light-emitting unit 612a and the second light-emitting unit 612b. However, in the present invention, when at least one of the first and second light emission commands is given, the button control unit of the corresponding product selection button device may light up at least one of the first and second light-emitting units.

[0058] In the present invention, the button control unit may be switchable between a fully lit mode, in which the first and second light-emitting units are lit, and a partially lit mode, in which either the first or second light-emitting unit is lit, when the main control unit provides at least one of the first and second light-emitting commands, under the condition that the first and second light-emitting units emit light of the same color.

[0059] In the embodiment described above, the return lever 26 was explained as an example of a cancel operation unit, but in the present invention, for example, a cancel button or the like may be used as the cancel operation unit.

[0060] In the above-described embodiment, all lights were illuminated when the return lever 26 was pressed while the front opening 1a was open. However, in the present invention, when the cancel operation unit is operated while the front opening is open, the button control unit may issue at least one of the first and second light emission commands to all product selection button devices, thereby illuminating the first and second light emission units of all selection buttons arranged on the front door.

[0061] In the above-described embodiment, all lights were illuminated when the return lever 26 was pressed while the front opening 1a was open. However, in the present invention, the main control unit may illuminate the first and second light-emitting parts of all selection buttons on the front door when the front door moves in the closing direction while the cancellation operation unit is operated, thereby closing the front opening. In this case, other light-emitting elements provided on the front door may also be illuminated. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0062] 1...Main cabinet, 1a...Front opening, 2...Front door, 3...Display room, 4...Middle door, 6...Product selection button device, 10...Main control unit, 23...Coin slot, 24...Banknote slot, 25...Integrated display unit, 26...Return lever, 28...Product dispensing outlet, 31...Illuminated panel, 32...Stage, 61...Selection button, 611...Switch, 612...Available for sale lamp, 612a...First light-emitting unit, 612b...Second light-emitting unit, 613...Sold out LED, 614...Preparing LED, 62...Button control unit, 621...CPU, 622...Memory, 71...Coin mechanism, 72...Bill validator, D...Product sample.

Claims

1. An automatic vending machine equipped with a product selection button device having a selection button incorporating a first light-emitting unit and a second light-emitting unit, wherein the first light-emitting unit is illuminated when a first light-emitting command is given from the main control unit, and the second light-emitting unit is illuminated when a second light-emitting command is given from the main control unit, The vending machine is characterized in that the product selection button device includes a button control unit that lights up at least one of the first light-emitting unit and the second light-emitting unit when the first light-emitting unit and the second light-emitting unit emit light of the same color, provided that at least one of the first light-emitting command and the second light-emitting command is given from the main control unit.

2. The vending machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the button control unit can switch between a fully lit mode, in which the first light-emitting unit and the second light-emitting unit are lit, and a partially lit mode, in which the first light-emitting unit or the second light-emitting unit is lit, when at least one of the first light-emitting command and the second light-emitting command is given from the main control unit, under the condition that the first light-emitting unit and the second light-emitting unit emit light of the same color.

3. The main cabinet is provided with a front door that opens and closes the front opening of the main cabinet, and which is equipped with a cancellation operation unit that cancels the selection of an item by the selection button when operated together with the selection button. The vending machine according to claim 1, characterized in that when the main control unit operates in the direction in which the front door moves to open and the front opening is opened, and the cancellation operation unit is operated, or when the cancellation operation unit is operated and the front door moves in the direction in which the front opening is closed, the main control unit provides at least one of the first light emission command and the second light emission command to all product selection button devices, thereby illuminating the first light emission unit and the second light emission unit of all selection buttons arranged on the front door.

4. The vending machine according to claim 3, characterized in that when the main control unit lights up the first light-emitting unit and the second light-emitting unit of all selection buttons arranged on the front door, it also lights up other light-emitting elements provided on the front door.

5. The vending machine according to claim 3, characterized in that the main control unit turns off the first light-emitting unit and the second light-emitting unit of all selection buttons arranged on the front door, provided that a predetermined time has elapsed since the operation on the cancellation operation unit was completed.

6. The vending machine according to claim 4, characterized in that when the main control unit illuminates the first light-emitting unit and the second light-emitting unit and the light-emitting element of all selection buttons arranged on the front door, it turns off the first light-emitting unit and the second light-emitting unit and the light-emitting element, provided that a predetermined time has elapsed since the operation on the cancel operation unit was completed.

7. The vending machine according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the cancellation operation unit is a return lever.

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