Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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SPECIFICATION
AUTOMATIC VENDING MACHINE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an automatic vending machine, in
particular to an automatic vending machine having an input unit
suitable for registering article names and setting the prices
of the articles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Management of an automatic vending machine often requires
data input operations by an operator. Such operations involve,
for example, registration of the articles to be sold, test
operations, confirmation of sales record~ and setting article
prices Generally, a key;board has been used as a ~eans for
inputting the instructions and data.
Recently, a new type of input system known as a bar code
system is used for this purpose, as shown in Japanese Patent
Early Publication 60-189093 (also in USP No. 4,608,487). The
bar codes are read by a bar code reader. The prior art
includes such data and instructions in the form of bar codes
printed on a sheet.
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An advantage of such input system is that the operato~ may
simply scan instructions printed on the sheet to operate the
bar code reader in reading the bar codes, thereby necessary
information may be input in the machine.
However, the prior bar code system mentioned above resorts
to sequential selection of bar codes to be scanned, it takes
time. Furthermore, in order to confirm the data read by the
bar code reader, the operator must pay attention to both the
bar code to read and the indicator indicating the content of
the bar code. This is often difficult for the operator of the
vending machine and can cause an error.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to overcome these
disadvantages mentioned above, that is, to provide an automatic
vending machine which is easy to input necessary data and
confirm the input data.
Therefore7 an automatic vending machine according to the
invention comprises:
a hand held type bar code reader having on the surface
thereof a set of operational keys for inputting ins~ructions;
and
an input unit having means for transmitting, via a wired
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or wireless transmission medium, the information read by said
bar code reader or input by said operational keys to a control
unit of said automatic vending machine.
With this arrangement an operator of the vending machine
may easily manipulate the input unit to perform bar code
reading as well as the opera~ional keys~ without using a key-
input unit provided elsewhere.
The bar code reader is preferably provided with an
indication unit for visually indicating the data read by said
bar code reader Such indication unit may further improve
operability of the bar code reader, since it permits the
operator to confirm data while inputting the data and avoid
erroneous input.
The automatic vending machine is preferably provided with
a control unit for controlling predetermined modes of
operations based upon the data read by said bar code reader or
input via the operational keys, and for transmitting to said
indication unit indication data required for indicating
information concerning the predetermined modes This may
permit the operator to confirm operations of the machine.
The automatic vending machine is preferably provided with
a control unit for controlling delivery of articles designated
by corresponding article codes input from said bar code reader~
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This allows accurate designation of articles.
The above mentioned control unit has preferably means for
designating articles for which prices are set means for
confirming the amounts of sales of the designated articles
based on the article codes input from said bar code reader.
Such means allows straight forward designation of articles in
setting prices thereof and straight forward confirmation of the
sales,
The automatic vending machine is preferably provided with
an input unit for inputting article names and a memory for
storing article names input from the input unit in association
with the corresponding article codes read by the bar code reader,
This mlnimizes errors encountered in the management of
articles based on the article codes,
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an input unit according to
the invention,
Fig, 2 is a cross sectional elevation of the input unit,
Fig, 3 is block diagram of a circuit of the input unit,
Fig, 4 is a bar code sheet for use in registering article
names,
Fig. 5 is a general perspective view of an automatic
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vending machine according to the invention,
Fig. 6 is a block diagram of a control circuit for the
automatic vending machine.
Fig, 7 schematically illustrates a memory map of a RAM for
use with the au~omatic vending machine according to the
invention.
Fig. 8 shows a process for estabiishing correspondence
between ar~icle selection switches and article columns.
Fig. 9 shows a process for registering vendible articles.
Fig. 10 shows a process for setting prices for each of the
article columns.
Fig. 11 shows a process for setting prices for each of
articles,
Fig, 12 shows a process for vending test through
operations of article selection switches.
Fig. 13 shows a process for vending test through operation
of an up-key /down-key.
Fig. 14 shows a quick test procedure.
Fig. 15 shows a process for confirming the gross amount of
sales/number of articles sold.
Fig. 16 shows a process for confirming the gross amount of
sales money and the total number of articles sold for each
column,
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Fig. 17 shows a process for confirming sales account and
the number of articles sold,
Fig. 18 shows a process for clearing sales account.
Fig. 19 is a flow chart of a process for registering
article names,
Fig, 20 is a flow chart of a process for sales mode
operation.
Fig, 21 is a flow chart of a process for account mode
operation,
Fig. 22 shows a print out of sales account output from a
printer unit.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Figs, 1 and 2 show a perspective Vi2W and a cross section,
respectively, of an input unit, This is a hand held type input
unit 1, which is suitable for reading a bar code at hand, The
unit 1 has at one end thereof a light transmission section 2
and on one side thereof a key input unit 3. The key input unit
3 has a plurality of rubber capped keys 3a - 3'n which are
associated with respective switches provided beneath a base 99
so that when pushed down, close the respective switches, On
the base 9 is a liquid crystal indication unit 4, which may-be
observed through a transparent window 16.
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There is a bar code read section 5 under the base 9, The
bar code read section 5 includes a light source 6 for
illuminating through the light transmission section 2 bar code
printed on bar code sheets 171-173 or on an article 18, The
light emanating from the light source 6 passes through a
collimator 7 to illuminate the bar code 8. The bar code 8 is a
series of black and white bars having different widths. The
light reflected from the bar code 8 returns through a lense 11
and forms an image of the bar 8 along the read line of a read
sensor 12. The re~d sensor 12 includes a CCD (charge-coupled
device) to convert the image formed on the read line into
electric signals,
The bar code key 3a provided in the key input portion 3 is
used for initiating bar code reading, The key 3b, which is
referred to as sales account key, is used for confirming the
gross amount of sales money and number of articles sold. The
clear key 3c is used for clearing the sales account data. The
vending test key 3d is used for testing the vending operation,
The quick test key 3e is used for a quick vending test by
quickly delivering all the articles in succession from a
designated column. The start/stop key 3f is used for
temporarily stop start/vendine operation while undergoing a
vending test or a quick test. The up key 3g and down key 3h
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are used for designating a column number of the relevant column
during setting operations as described later.
Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a control circuit 33 for use
with the input unit 1, in which a first controller 13 controls
the operation of the bar code read section 5 and a second
controller 14 con~rols the operations of the key input unit 3
and the indication unit 4. The controller 14 is connected
with a controller 20 provided in an control box 21 of the
automatic vending machine, and controls transmission of signals
to and from the control unit 20. The controllers 13 and 14
include an 8-bit and a 4-bit CPU, respectively, for carrying
out programmed operations. There are also provided a wave form
control circuit 15, a power source 31. The read sensor 12
generates signals associated with the pa~tern of the scanned
bar code 8. The signals are outp~t to the control circuit 15
which in turn converts the;signals to digital signals and
supplies them to the controller 13, A power source circuitry
31 is supplied with 8-volt and 12-volt DC voltages from a power
source 30 of the automatic vending machine and in turn provides
8-volt voltage to the light source 6, 12-volt voltage to the
read sensor 12 , and 5-volt voltage to the controllers 13 and 14.
In order to read a bar code printed on a bar code sheet
171 , 172 , 173 , 174 (Fig, 5) or printed on articles 13 so
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that the article codes thereon may be identi~ied, the input
unit 1 is initiated by pushing the bar code key 3a.
An article code is a standardized JIStJapan-Institute
-Standerd) bar code symbol for POS systems, which is called JAN
code. This includes a first two digits r~epresenting a name of
a country (for example 49 assigned to Japan), a 5-digit article
maker code, a 5-digit article code (or article item code), and
a check digit. In the U.S. UPC(Universal Product Code) is used.
As shown in Fig. 4, a bar code sheet 173 includes: a bar
code 60 symbolizing information required to "define article name"
; a code 61 "to clear article name" which contains information
required to clear registered article name; a bar code 62 for "
confirmation of an article name" which contains information
required for confirming registration of article names; a bar
code 63 for use in completing defining article names; and bar
codes 64 which are coded characters for use in inputting
article names, all the bar codes printed on the sheet.
Fig. 5 illustrates an over all perspective view of an
automatic vending machine provided with the input unit 1. The
automatic vending machine has a coin slot C on its front
service panel, a multiplicity of switches S for a customer to
select his desired article, an indicator I for indicating sale
conditions such as "sold out" or "on sale" status for each
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article column, a sale indicator J for indicating that a
designated article is vendible, and a lever L for refunding
money when cancelling the purchase. The automatic vending
machine has therein 10 article columns and 10 article selection
switches S associated with respective columns for selecting
articles therein. On the inside of a front door 19 are a
control box 21 and a coin mechanism 22 comprising a coin
selector 50, a coin pay-off unit 52 and so on. The input unit
1 is connected with the control- box 21. Next to the control
box 21 is a small printer unit 23 for printing out a record of
the sales account.
Fig. 6 is a block diagram of a control unit 20 installed
in the control box 21 of the automatic vending machine, The
control unit 20 includes a CPV (central processing unit) 41 for
~xecuting operations according to a program. The CPU 41 is
connected~ via an address bus 45 and a data bus 46, ~ith a ROM
42 which stores the program, a RAM 43, and an I/O interface 44.
The I/O interface ~4 is connected to a control circuit 33 of
the input unit 1, the coin mechanism 22, an indication unit 48,
a selection unit 49, a coin selector 50, and a printer unit 23.
The coin mechanism 22 transmits to the CPU 41 via I/O
interface 44 an acknowledgement signal indicative of detecting
correct amount of coins by the coin selector 50 The coin
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mechanism 22 actuates the coin pay-off unit 52, when it
receives a pay-off signal from the CPU 41 via I/O interface 44.
The indication unit 48 includes indicators I associated
with respective article columns and selection indicators J
associated with respective article selection switches S. Each
of the indicators is controlled by indication data received
from CPU 41 via I/O interface 44. The selection indicator J
is mounted on the front service panel 51, and in vending mode
indicates for customers which of the articles may be purchased
for the coins deposited by a eustomer.
A selection unit 49 includes the multiplicity of article
selection switches S and provides signals to the CPU 41 via I/O
interface 44 indicative of ~he operation of the switches S.
The coin selector 50 includes driving motors one for each
article column for delivering articles. O~erations of the
motors are controlled by the instructions given by the CPU 41
via I/O interface 44.
The printer unit 23 prints out sales accounting data
output from the CPU 41 in response to the operation of the
sales account key.
A RAM 43 has at least 9 memory regions, as shown in a map
of the memory region of Fig, 7A and Fig. 7B.
A memory region 43a is a buffer memory having an article
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code buffer for storing the article code read by the input unit
1, a column indicator buffer, a selection s~Jitch indicator
buffer, a buffer for storing the amount of coins deposited, a
printer buffer, and an article name buffer for use in article
name registration. The column indicator buffer is a 5-bit
buffer which may store indication data to be indicated by
turning on or off five column indicators l9, each indicating a
bit "1" or "0". The selection switch indicator buffer is also
a 5-bit buffer and may store indication data to be indicated by
turning on or off five selection switch indicators 20,
representing a bit "1" or "0", respectively.
A memory region 43b stores correspondence between the each
article selection switch S and its corresponding article code
to be selected by the switch. It has thus the same number of
addresses as the number of the switches S
A memory region 43c stores the correspondence between each
article column and its corresponding article selection switch S.
The memory thus has the same number of addresses as the the
number of columns.
A memory region 43d stores prices of articles in
association with respective article columns and article codes.
It has a maximum number of five addresses, since in this
example the automatic vending machine has a maximum of five
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article columns,
A memory region 43e stores the gross number of articles
sold and the gross amount of money therefor as well as other
sales account data for articles in association with the
registered article codes.
A memory region 43f stores article names at article name
addresses according to the registered article codes. In the
preferred embodiment shown, the article codes are input from
the input unit 1 by reading the bar codes printed on a bar code
sheet 173.
A memory region 43g stores the total amount of money for
sold articles.
A memory region ~3h stores the total number of articles
sold.
A memory region 43i stores the article codes and
corresponding prlces thereof.
The automatic vending machine equipped with the above
input unit 1 is operated as follows. Read operation of
inputting bar coded data into the machine of the input unit 1
is started by pushing down the bar code key 3a. This causes to
activate the light source 6 and to instruct the control unit 20
so that the automatic vending machine turns into bar code read
mode. The following operations are possible with the
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automatic vending machine.
Establishing correspondence between the article selection
switches and the article columns
This procedure follows steps shown in Fig. 8. After
pushing down the bar code key 3a, the operator sets the light
transmission section 2 of the input unit l to a bar code 8a
The bar code ~a, printed on a bar code sheet 171, includes
information for establishing correspondence between the article
selection switches S and the article columns. The control unit
20 receives this coded information from the controller 14 and
processes it for establishing the correspondence. This
operation is called correspondence establishing mode. The
control ~nit 20 reads an article selection switch data stored
in the RAM 43 in the control unit 20, and generates an
Indication data for turning on the indicator I associated with
the article selection switch S, which is specified by the
article selection switch data.
Designation of an article column may be made by either
pushing down the up-key 3g or the down-key 3h, or reading a bar
code indicative of a column number of the column. The former
procedure is as follows As the up-key 3g or 3h is first
operated, the controller 14 transmits a key switch data
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indicative of a column number 1 to the control unit 20, The
control unit 20 then reads article selection switch data for
the corresponding switch S stored in the memory region 43c of
the RAM 43 and transmits an indication data for turning on the
corresponding indicator I associated with the column number 1,
thereby activating the indicator I. The indication ùnit 4
transmits indication data indicative of the column number 1 to
the control unit 14. The indication unit 4 indicates the
column number under the control of the controller 14~
When the up-key 3g is operated the controller 14 also
transmits to the control unit 20 a key s~itch data indicative
of a column number which is greater than the preceding one by 1,
or smaller by 1 if the down-key 3h is operated, Thus, the
control unit 20 instruct the indication unit ~ to turn on the
correct indicator specified by up-key 3g or down-key 3h~ and at
the same time transmits n~cessary indication data to the
controller 14 and the indicator I to turn on the corresponding
indicator 1, In this manner the operator may designa-te in
turn different columns by properly operating either up-key 3g
or down-key 3h. In the later procedure, the operator selects a
bar code 8b, which is printed on the bar code sheet 171 and
indicative of the column number. The operator then sets the
light transmission section 2 of the inpu~ unit 1 to the'bar
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code ~b to inform the control unit 20 of the column number~
The control unit 20 transmits to the controller 14 and the
co.rresponding indicator I the indication data to turn on the
indicator.
Following the designation of an article column, an article
selection switch S associated with the designated column is
operated This results in transmission of an article selection
switch data indicative of the corresponding article selection
switch S to the control unit 20, which in turn causes the RAM
43 to store data indicative of the correspondence between the
designated column number and the article selection switch S
operated and output an indication data required for activating
the corresponding indicator I,
In order to clear the correspondence between an article
selection sw`itch S and a corresponding column 31, the article
selection switch S is pushed down following designation of the
art~icle column and turning on of the indicator I The control
unit 20 will clear the data in the RAM defining the
correspondence~ ;
Registration of Vendible Articles
This is a procedure for registering vendible articles,
called article registration mode. The procedure follows steps
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as shown in Fig. 9. The operator first sets the light
transmission section 2 to a bar code 8c printed on the bar code
sheet 172. The bar code 8c includes encoded information
specifically provided for registering articles. The controller
20 is set in the article registration mode by the coded signal
8c received from the controller 14. Also, designation of an
article column may be made by either operating keys or reading
the bar code 8b. Following the designation of the column, an
article code is read by the input unit I set to the bar code
printed on the article to be store in the designated column.
Receiving the article code from the controller 14, the control
unit 20 stores the article code in the memory region 43b of the
RAM 43 in association with the designated column. The control
unit 20 also reads out a preset price data for the article
stored in the RAM 43 in association with the article code, and
transmits the data as an indication data to the controller 14
so that the price is indicated on the indication unit 4,
Price setting
Price may be set for each column (in a column-wise price
setting mode) or for article (in an article-wise price setting
mode described below).
(1) Column-wise price setting mode
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This procedure is shown in ~ig. 10. Following the
operation of the bar code key 3a, the operator sets the key
input unit 3 of the input unit 1 to the bar code 8d printed on
a price bar code sheet 173. This bar code 8d includes coded
information required for "price setting". As the information
is received from the controller 14, the control unit 20 enters
the price setting mode, in which a desired article column is
designated by operating the up-key 3g and control unit 20
transmits to the controller 14 indication data so that the
corresponding column number is indicated The control unit 20
then reads out the price data stored in the memory region 43d
of the RAM 43 in association with the designated column, and
transmits them as indication data to the controller 14. Thus,
the indication unit 4 indicates the column number first and
then indicates the price.
The light transmission section 2 of the input unit 1 is
then set to a bar code 8e~ which is printed on the price bar
code sheet 173. In this example shown in Fig.10 the price bar
code stands for 200 yen. Thus, the control unit 20 causes the
RAM to store encoded 200 yen as the price associated with the
article column and transmits to the controller 14 an
indication data indicative of the price of 200 yen.
(2) Article price setting
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This procedure is shown in Fig 11. As in the case of
column-wise price setting mode, the light transmission section
2 of the input unit 1 is set to a bar code 8d following the
operation of the bar code key 3a, which sets the control unit
20 in the price setting mode. Then, a bar code printed on an
article 18 is read by the input unit 1. In response to the
coded data received from the controller 14, the control unit 20
reads the corresponding price data stored in the RAM and
~ransmits them as indication data to the controller 14. The
indication unit 4 indicates the price associated with the
article code stored in the memory region 43e of the RAM 43. If
the setting of the price is to be changecl, for example to 150
yen, the light transmission sect;on 2 of the input unit 1 is
sequentially set to a bar code 8f indicalive of 100 yen and a
further bar code indicative of 50 yen 8g~ The control unit 20
then causes the RAM 43 to store data indicative of 150 yen in
the memory re~ion 43e. In this case the control unit ~0
transmits to the controller 14 indication daLa indicative of
100 yen at the time the bar code 8f is read, and transmits to
the controller 14 indication data indicative of 150 yen at the
time the bar code 8g is read. If only the bar code 8~ is read
by the input unit 1, price is se~ to be 100 yen in the RAM 43
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Vending Test
In this test a particular articla column 31 may be
selected by the article selection switch S or the up key 3g and/
or down key 3h.
ending Test by the Article Selection Switches S
This test is performed following the steps shown in Fig. 12.
First, the vending test key 3d is operated, which causes the
controller 14 to transmit key switch data to the control unit 20,
setting the control unit 20 in the vending test mode. In
this mode, the control unit 20 transmits indication data to the
indication unit so as to turn on all the indicators I. If an
article selection switch S is operated under this condition,
corresponding article selection switch data are transmitted to
the control unit 20. The control unit 20 then searches the
memory region 43c of tha RAM 43 for the corresponding article
column~ and outputs control data so that the vending unit 50
delivers an article from ~he article column. When another
column is to be operated, another corresponding article
selection switch S is operated. In order to terminate the
vending test, the vending test key 3d is operated again or a
refund lever L is turned. The later lever will turn on the
refund switch of the coin mechanism 22. In this case the
control unit 20 clears the vending test mode when the key
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switch data indicative of the operation of the vending test key
3d or the data indicative of the operation of the refund switch
is transmitted from the controller 14.
(2) Vending Test by Up key 3g/Down key down-key 3h
This test is performed following the procedure shown in Fig.
13 As in the case of the previously described test, this
test is started by the operation of the vending test key 3d.
First, a particular column is designated by properly operating
the up key 3g or the down key 3h. Then the control unit 20
transmits vending data to control the vending unit 50 so that
an article is delivered once from the column. If the start/
stop key 3f is operated once more, the control unit 20 repeats
vending from the same column once again. If the vending test
key 3d is operated one more time or if the refund lever is
operated, the test is ended.
Quick Test
A quick test is performed to test if the vending machine
may suçcessively deliver articles from designated columns.
This test mode may be utilized also when removing articles from
a column. The test proceeds in steps as shown in Fig, 14. As
the quick test key 3e is operated, the control unit 20 is set
in the quick test mode. Then, while setting the light
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~ransmission section 2 of the input unit I to an article code
8b printed on the column setting bar code sheet 171 or to a
label of an article 18 to be subjected to the test, the start/
stop key 3f is operated to start vending operation. Receiving
from the control unit 14 a coded data indicative of the
corresponding column number, the control unit 20 outputs
vending data for instructing delivery of an article from the
column, thereby actuating the vending unit 50 to deliver
articles in succession from the column. On the other hand,
when the control unit 20 receives from the controller 14 an
article code, the control unit 20 reads the memory 43b of the
RAM 43 for the corresponding column number, and then outputs
vending data that controls delivery of the designated article
~rom the column designated by the column number. In a case
whe~re a multiplicity of columns is designated or there
corresponds a multiplicity;of articles to a designated article
code, the control unit 20 starts vending operation for the
least numbered column, and proceeds to the operation of the
greatest numbered column. When the vending operations are
performed for all the columns, or when the quick test key 3e is
operated again during the test, the quick test mode is ended.
If instead the start/stop key 3f is operated during the -test,
the control unit 20 instructs a temporary halt bf the test,
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which is resumed when the start/stop key 3f is operated again
It should be noted that designation of a column may be made by
the corresponding article selection switch S instead of reading
the bar code 8b printed on the column bar code sheet 171
Confirmation of Sales Account_
If the sales account key 3b is operated once, gross
amounts of sales for each column and for each article are
indicated. The numbers of articles sold are indicated for each `
column and for each article if the key is operated twice
(1) Confirmation of the gross amounts of sales in yen and
number of articles sold
The is a confirmation mode that follows those steps sho~n
in ~ig. 15 Receiving key switch data from the controller 14
indicative of the operation of the sales account key 3b, the
control unit 20 is set in a sales amount confirmation mode.
First, the memory region 43g of the RAM 43 is searched for the
gross sales amount, which is transmitted to the controller
14 as indication data. The controller 14 controls the
indication unit 4 to indicate the gross sales amount. ~f the
sales account key 3b is operated again, the control unit 20
transmits to the controller 14 data indicative of the number of
articles sold retrieved from the RAM, thereby indicatin~ the
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number on the indication unit 4. If the key is operated once
more, the control unit 20 ends the confirmation operation.
(2) Confirmation of Gross Amount of Sales and Number of
articles for Each Column
This proceeds in steps as shown in Fig. 16. The operation
of the sales account key 3b sets the control unit 20 in the
sales account confirmation mode, which follows the same steps
as the operation as the mode (1) up to indicating the gross
sales amount on the indication unit 4. If in this mode the up-
key 3g or down-key 3h is operated~ the controller 14 transmits
to the control unit 20 key switch data indicative of the
operation of the key associated with the column numbered 1,
thereby indicating the number on the indication unit 4. The
control unit 20 then reads the memory region 43e of the RAM 43
for sales amount of money, and transmits to the controller 14
the data as indication data associated with the article code
for the column9 thereby indicating the data on the indication
unit 4. It should be noted that the column to be confirmed may
be designated by reading the bar code 8b printed on the column
setting bar code sheet 171.
If the the sales account key 3b is operated again with the
sales amount displayed for a column, the control unit 20
transmits to the controller 14 the number of articles sold
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stored in the memory region 43e of the RAM 43 as indication
data which is indicated on the indication unit 4, The column
may be switched to another one by operating the up-key 3g or
down-key 3h, or by reading a bar code for a desired colu~n. A
third operation of the sales account key 3b will end the sales
account confirmation mode by the control unit 20.
(3) Confirmation of Sales Account for Each Article
This confirmation mode proceeds in steps as shown in Fig.
17. The mode is initiated by a first operation of the sales
account key 3b. ~ollowing this initiation, the light
transmission section 2 of the input unit I is set to an article
bar code printed on the article 18 for which confirmation is to
be made. Receiving from the controller 14 coded article data,
the control unit 20 retrieves the corres~onding column number
stored in the 43b of the RAM 43 and calculated the number of
the article sold, which is transmitted to the controller 14 as
indication data, thereby indicating on the indication unit 4
the number of the articles sold.
A second operation of the sales account key 3b with the
sales amo~nt of money indlcated on the indication unit 4 causes
the 20 to calculate the number of articles sold from the column
and transmit the number data to the controller 14 as indication
data to be indicated on the indication unit 4 Th0 control
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unit 20 repeats this operation for other columns by
sequentially retrieving column numbers stored in the 43b of the
RAM 43 for other columns9 thereby indicatin~ the numbers of
articles sold from other columns on the indication unit 4.
(4) Clearing Sales Accounts
Clearing sales accounts proceeds in steps as shown in Fig.
18. This procedure is initiated by continuous operation of the
sales account key 3b over 2 seconds or more during indication
of the sales amount of money or number of articles sold. Such
operation of the sales account key 3b causes the control unit
20 to clear the memories of the RAM 43 of both the amount of
money and the number, and end the mode,
Article Name R_gistration
The con~rol unit 20 may be used for registering names of
ar-ticles vendible by the automatic vending machine. The
operation for this registration is initiated by scanning an "
article name registration" bar code 60 printed on a bar code
sheet 173 by input unit 1. Fig. 19 shows control operation for
the registration by the CPU 41. The CPU 41 first clears the
article code buffer and the article name buffer, and proceeds
~o step 1.
In step 1, a bar code on the bar code sheet 173 is read,
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2~26~
the category of which is identified by the CPU 41 in steps S1,
S49 S7, S10~ and S130
If in step S2 the code is found belonging to article codes,
the process proceeds to step 3, in which CPU 41 stores the
article code in the ar~icle code buffer.
If the bar code read in the step Sl is an "article name
clear" code (step S4), the process proceeds to a step S5, in
which a determination is made whether the article code is
stored in the article code buffer. If it is, then the process
advances to a step S69 where the memory region 43f of the RAM
43 storing the article code is cleared.
In a step S7, the code retrieved in the step S1 is judged
~hether it is an "article name confirmation" code. If it is,
the process proceeds to a step S8, where a further
determination is made whether the article code is stored in the
article code buffer. If it is, then the process proceeds to a
step S9 where the CPU 41 reads the article name stored in the
article code buffer 43f of the RAM 43 associated with the
ar~icle code and transmits the article name to the printer
buffer in the RAM 43 so that the name of the article defined or
changed is printed by the printer unit 23.
In a step S10, a determination is made whether the bar
code retrieved in the step Sl is a character code or not. If
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2~1~2~
it is, a further determination is made in a step Sll if the
article code is stored in the article code buffer. If it is,
the process proceeds to a step S12 where the CPU 41 stores the
coded character information in the ar~icle name buffer in the
RAM 43. Following this step, the name of the article is
registered in the article name buffer by scanning the bar code
associated with the article name. Every time such character
information is input the CPU 41 outputs to the control circuit
33 of the input unit l data indicative of the number of the
characters as indication data. The control circuit enables
indication of the number on the indication unit 4, thereby
informing the operator of the position of the character to be
input next.
In a step Sl3 it ls determined whet~ler the code retrieved
in the step S23 is an "article name confirmed" codec If it is,
the process proceeds to a step Sl5 where the article name
stored in the article name buffer is stored at the address
~associated with the article code stored in the article code
buffer (memory region 43f) in the RAM 43. This amounts to
registration of the article name in the RAM 43 for the article
designated by the input article code.
Vending Mode
I
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2~6~
Referring now to Fig. 20, a procedure for the automatic
vending machine in vending mode is described below.
In a step S20 the CPU 41 determines if data indicative of
the amount of deposited coins is supplied from the coin
mechanism 22. If it iS9 the process advances to a step S21
where the current amount of money deposited is added to the
amount of money already deposited which is stored in a "
deposited money buffer". In the next step S22, it is
determined whether an article selection s~itch S is operated
for selection of an article. If it is, the process goes to a
step S23, where the memory regions 43b and 43c of the RAM 43
are searched for the article code designated by the article
selection switch S The article code is stored in the article
code buffer. In the next step S ~5, the memory region 43d is
searched for the price of the article based on the article code
stored in the article codq buffer? which price is compared with
the amount of money stored in the deposited money buffer to
thereby determine whether sale is permissible or not.
If the sale is permissible, the memory region 43c of the
RAM 43 is searched for the column number in a step S25 based on
the article code stored in the article code buffer In the
next step S26 the CPU 41 generates actuation signals to actuate
the driving motor of the column so that the article is
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20~2~18
delivered therefrom in a controlled manner and have the coin
mechanism 22 pay off change.
Following the completion of the vending mode, the CPU 41
proceeds to a step S27 where it is determined whether the
article code stored in the article code buffer is stored also
in the memory region 43e of the RAM 43. If it is, it implies
that the address at which the sales account data are stored for
the article has been set in the 43e. In this case the process
proceeds to a next step S28, where the CPU 41 adds the amount
o-f the current sale to the gross sales amount stored in a sales
data memory associated with the article code, after which the
process returns to the step S20.
If, however, the article code storecl in the article code
buffer is not stored in the memory region 43e in the RAM 43~
the process advances to a step S29, where the article code is
stored along with the sales data in the memory region 43e, and
the process then returns to the step S20. The CPU 41 thus
establishes a sales data memory region in the memory region 43e
and stores the first sales account data therein. In a step
S30 the CPU 41 adds to the gross amount of money stored in the
memory regions 43g and 43h the current amount of sale, and the
number of articles sold is increased by 1.
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~05261 8
SaIes Account Mode
The sales account data stored in the memory region 43e and
the registered article name stored in the memory region 43f may
be printed out by the printer unit 23 by operating the sales
account key 3b on the input unit 1. Details of the procedure
is described below with reference to Fig. 21.
The CPU 41 provides actuation signals to the input unit 1
in a step S50. In a step S51, a bar code article name is read.
In a step S52, the CPU 41 determines whether the code read in
a step S51 is an article code. If it is, the process proceeds
to a step S53 where the CPU 41 checks if the same article code
is stored in the memory region 43e of the ~AM 43, that is~
whether a sales account data memory region is set in the memory
region 43e in association with the article code. If it is, the
CPU 41 proceeds to a step S5~ where the sales account data
memory region is searched for the sales account data associated
with the article code, which is transferred, along with the
article code and the article name, to the printer buffer in
the R~M 43 and output to the printer unit 23. The printer unit
23 prints out a sales account table listing these data as shown
in Fig. 24. In this exemplary table the price of the article
indicated by the article code is set at 100 yen. The articles
re stored in columns numbered 1, 2, and 3O Such vending
!
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condition as shown in the printed table may be set in the
setting mode by designating the columns numbered 1, 2, and 3
and inputting the price of 100 yen following the read of the
article code. Since the CPU ~1 outputs the sales account data
to the control circuit 33 of the input unit 1 as indication
data the sales account data may be confirmed on the indication
unit 4 of the input unit 1.
In a step S55 a determination is made whether a second
operation of the sales account key 3b is made to end the sales
accounting, If it is, the automatic vending machine resumes ~`}
the vending mode. If, on the other hand, it is not, the
process returns to the step 50, ~ :
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