JP2001221677A - Apparatus for monitoring commodity remaining-amount - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vending-machine liquid-amount monitoring apparatus, with which liquid replenishment timing capable of preventing the liquid as the commodity of a vending machine from becoming out of stock can be controlled, on the basis of the remote monitoring operation of the liquid and in which a remaining-amount information acquisition means can be loaded and unloaded hygenically with reference to the liquid tank of the vending machine. SOLUTION: A syrup remaining amount detecting apparatus 100 is constituted of a terminal machine. The terminal machine is provided with an ultrasonic sensor 101. The ultrasonic sensor 101 is provided with a vibrator 101a, which transmits ultrasonic waves toward the bottom wall of a syrup tank installed inside the vending machine. The ultrasonic sensor 101 is provided with a receiving part 101b, used to receive reflected waves which are transmitted to syrup inside the syrup tank from the bottom wall and which are reflected by the level of the syrup, so as to make it re-transmitted to the bottom wall. The terminal machine is provided with various circuits used to compute the reflected-wave detection time T, on the basis of an output signal from the ultrasonic sensor 101. The detecting apparatus 100 is constituted of a host computing device 119, which displays syrup-remaining amount on a display part 117. The detection apparatus 100 is constituted of a communication device 114, which realizes the communication of a signal between the terminal machine 111 and the host computing device 119 by a telephone line or by radio.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for monitoring the remaining amount of liquid in a liquid tank of a vending machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for products in vending machines,
The remaining amount was checked and replenished by regular inspections by servicemen and customers.

However, in such an inspection work, there is a problem that a periodic patrol operation to a vending machine is required to check the remaining amount of the product. Furthermore,
If the patrol work is not performed properly, there is a problem that the product is run out in time for replenishment of the product.

[0004] On the other hand, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 5-27437, an identification number is given to each vending machine,
A sensor is provided for detecting that the sales items of these vending machines have been reduced to a predetermined amount, and a sensor signal with an identification number is transmitted to a central computer using a telephone line. A vending machine management apparatus has been proposed in which each vending machine is managed by a vending machine. According to this vending machine management apparatus, the central computer can remotely monitor the out-of-stock state of a sold product or the state of being out of stock soon without performing a periodic patrol operation to the vending machine.

[0005]

In the vending machine management apparatus, the central computer is used to remotely monitor the state of the product, or the state of the product being soon sold out. Can not monitor product consumption trends. For this reason, the replenishment timing of the product cannot be properly managed so that the product can be avoided, for example, the product may be out of stock unless the product is replenished before Monday morning.

Further, in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H5-274537, the detection principle and structure of the sensor as the remaining amount information acquisition means are not described in detail, but these greatly differ depending on the types of products. For this reason, depending on the type of the product, the cost for installing the sensor may be high, or the installation of the sensor may make it difficult to sanitize the product. For example, in a cup-type vending machine, syrup that is the basis of a product is usually stored in a syrup tank as a liquid tank, and syrup is replenished by replacing the syrup tank with a new one. As a sensor that detects the remaining amount of syrup in the syrup tank, there is a float sensor that detects the lower limit level of syrup. May contaminate the syrup. Also, in order to avoid such contamination, when stopping the loading and unloading of the float sensor at the site, it is necessary to put the float sensor in all the replacement syrup tanks. The cost will be higher.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid replenishment timing that can avoid running out of liquid, which is a commodity of a vending machine, with the remaining amount of the liquid. It is an object of the present invention to provide a product remaining amount monitoring device capable of managing based on remote monitoring of a product and capable of hygienically replacing a liquid tank containing the liquid.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a remaining amount information obtaining means for obtaining information on a remaining amount of goods of a vending machine, and the remaining amount information obtaining means. A first arithmetic unit for performing a predetermined arithmetic process based on an output signal from the first arithmetic unit; a signal transmitting unit for transmitting an output signal from the first arithmetic unit from the transmission unit to the reception unit via a telephone line or wirelessly; A product comprising: a second calculating means for performing a predetermined calculation based on an output signal from the receiving unit; and a display means for displaying information on the remaining amount of the product based on the output signal from the second calculating means. In the remaining amount monitoring device, as the remaining amount information obtaining means, information relating to the remaining amount of the liquid in the liquid tank containing the liquid product can be quantitatively obtained and arranged outside the liquid tank. Is provided.

In the present invention, "quantitatively obtaining information on the remaining amount of liquid" means, in addition to obtaining quantitative information on the remaining amount of liquid, for example, quantitative information on the liquid level in the liquid tank,
This concept includes a case where information useful for calculating quantitative information of the remaining amount of liquid, such as quantitative information of the amount of liquid discharged from the liquid tank, is obtained.

The term "operation" means not only a calculation process for calculating a solution based on a calculation formula, but also a specific process for retrieving and specifying data satisfying a predetermined condition from a plurality of data groups. This is a concept that also includes a signal conversion process for converting into a signal, a program decoding process for decoding a program, and the like.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the commodity remaining amount monitoring device according to the first aspect, wherein the remaining amount information acquiring means transmits an ultrasonic wave toward an outer surface of a bottom wall of the liquid tank; And a wave receiving means for receiving a reflected wave transmitted from the outer surface of the bottom wall to the liquid in the liquid tank and then reflected on the liquid surface of the liquid and transmitted again to the outer surface of the bottom wall. The first calculating means is configured to calculate a reflected wave detection time, which is a time from when the ultrasonic wave is transmitted from the transmitting means to when the reflected wave is received by the receiving means. And the first calculating means or the second calculating means so that the liquid remaining amount is quantitatively calculated based on the reflected wave detection time and displayed on the display device.
It is characterized by comprising an arithmetic means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the commodity remaining amount monitoring apparatus of the second aspect, information on the remaining amount of liquid in each liquid tank in the vending machine having a plurality of the liquid tanks is individually provided. The remaining amount information acquiring means is configured to calculate the remaining amount of liquid in each of the liquid tanks individually based on the reflected wave detection time for each of the liquid tanks. The first arithmetic means or the second arithmetic means is constituted.

The invention of claim 4 is the invention of claim 2 or 3
A plurality of the remaining amount information acquiring means, a first calculating means, and a transmitting unit corresponding to the individual vending machines, respectively, and the display means displays the liquid remaining amount of each vending machine. Wherein the first arithmetic means and the second arithmetic means are configured to execute an arithmetic process for displaying the information on the first arithmetic means.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the commodity remaining amount monitoring apparatus according to the second, third or fourth aspect, wherein the ultrasonic wave is transmitted based on a transmission signal from the first calculating means. Wave means, the signal transmission means being a transmission / reception section in which the transmission section and the reception section each transmit and receive signals, and signal input means for inputting the ultrasonic wave transmission start timing signal to the second arithmetic means. , The second arithmetic means is configured to output the input transmission start timing signal to the signal transmission means, and the transmission is started based on the transmission start timing signal transmitted from the signal transmission means. The first arithmetic means is configured to output a wave signal.

Further, the invention of claim 6 is the invention of claims 2, 3,
In the commodity remaining amount monitoring device of the fourth or fifth aspect, a second information for displaying predetermined information based on an output signal from the first computing means is provided.
The first display means is provided so that the second display means performs an arithmetic processing for displaying the liquid remaining amount.
It is characterized by comprising an arithmetic means.

In the commodity remaining amount monitoring apparatus according to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth aspect, the remaining amount information acquiring means quantitatively acquires information on the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid tank of the vending machine. Then, the signal is output to the first calculation means as a predetermined signal. The first calculation means performs a predetermined calculation process based on the signal and outputs a calculation result to the transmission unit of the signal transmission means. This calculation result is transmitted to the receiving unit of the signal transmission unit via a telephone line or wirelessly, and then output to the second calculation unit. The second calculation unit can execute a calculation process for causing the display unit to display quantitative information on the remaining amount of the liquid based on the received calculation result. Specifically, when the above calculation result is such quantitative information itself, it may be displayed on the display means as it is. If the calculation result is, for example, quantitative information on the liquid level in the liquid tank or quantitative information on the amount of liquid to be discharged from the liquid tank, the liquid residue is calculated based on the information. What is necessary is to calculate the quantitative data of the amount and display the calculation result on the display means. In the commodity remaining amount monitoring device having such a configuration, the receiving unit, the second calculating unit, and the display unit of the signal transmitting unit are located far from a vending machine, such as an unloading management center that manages unloading of replenishing liquid. If it is installed in a remote place, it is possible to quantitatively remotely monitor the remaining amount of the liquid in the liquid tank at the place. Also,
In such remote monitoring, the information on the remaining amount of the liquid is not qualitatively displayed as "out of stock" or "out of stock" as in the past, but for example, "40 liters". Is displayed quantitatively. If the operator performs the calculation of the moving average of the remaining amount of liquid based on this quantitative display, or causes the first calculation means or the second calculation means to perform the calculation,
It becomes possible to predict the consumption trend of the liquid. Also,
In this product remaining amount monitoring device, a device that can be disposed outside the liquid tank is provided as remaining amount information obtaining means, and when the liquid tank is replaced, the remaining amount information obtaining means is put in and out of the liquid tank. No need. Therefore, when the liquid tank is replaced, there is no possibility that the liquid in the liquid tank is contaminated by dust, dirt, dirt of the remaining amount information obtaining means itself, and the like.

In particular, in the commodity remaining amount monitoring apparatus according to the second aspect, the wave transmitting means of the remaining amount information acquiring means transmits ultrasonic waves toward the outer surface of the bottom wall of the liquid tank. The ultrasonic wave is transmitted to the liquid in the liquid tank and then reflected on the liquid surface to become a reflected wave, transmitted again on the outer surface of the bottom wall, detected by the wave receiving means of the remaining amount information acquisition means, and is outputted as a predetermined signal. 1 is output to the calculating means. The first calculating means calculates the reflected wave detection time based on the signal. The reflected wave detection time is correlated with the liquid level in the liquid tank, and the liquid level is correlated with quantitative data on the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid tank. Therefore, the first calculating means or the second calculating means can calculate the quantitative data of the remaining amount of the liquid based on the reflected wave detection time and display the calculated data on the display means. In the above configuration,
The remaining amount information acquiring unit does not come into contact with the liquid, so that contamination of the liquid due to contact with the remaining amount information acquiring unit can be avoided.

In particular, in the commodity remaining amount monitoring device according to the third aspect, the quantitative remaining amount of liquid in each liquid tank of a vending machine having a plurality of liquid tanks is individually and remotely monitored.

In a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for monitoring the remaining amount of liquid, comprising a plurality of remaining amount information acquiring means, a first calculating means, and a transmitting section, each corresponding to an individual vending machine. Is displayed on the display means for each vending machine. In such a product remaining amount monitoring device, the combination of one receiving unit, the second calculation unit, and the display unit
The liquid replenishment timing for a plurality of vending machines can be managed.

[0020] In particular, in the commodity remaining amount monitoring apparatus according to the fifth aspect, based on the transmission start timing signal input to the signal input means, the first arithmetic means transmits ultrasonic waves from the transmission means, The reflected wave is received by the wave receiving means to detect the reflected wave detection time. An operator using such a commodity remaining amount monitoring device can acquire the liquid remaining amount at an arbitrary timing and remotely monitor by inputting the transmission start timing signal to the signal input means at an arbitrary timing. Can be.

In particular, in the commodity remaining amount monitoring apparatus according to the present invention, the second display means is provided, and based on the output signal from the first arithmetic means, the second display means also displays the remaining liquid amount. It is displayed. In such a configuration, if the second display means is installed inside the vending machine, a liquid replenishing operator can also obtain quantitative information on the remaining amount of liquid.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a syrup remaining amount monitoring device for a cup-type vending machine (hereinafter simply referred to as a syrup remaining amount monitoring device) will be described as one embodiment of a commodity remaining amount monitoring device to which the present invention is applied. I do. FIG. 1 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a cup-type vending machine to be monitored by the syrup remaining amount monitoring device. In FIG. 1, the cup-type vending machine includes an operation display section 2, a coin insertion section 3, a change drop section 4, a cup shooter 5, a cup take-out door 6, and the like provided on the front of the door. Further, inside the cup-type vending machine 1, a carbonated water tank 8 for storing carbonated water is provided.
And a carbon dioxide cylinder 9 for storing carbon dioxide gas, and a plurality of syrup tanks 10 for storing syrup corresponding to each beverage.

The operation display unit 2 is provided with a plurality of beverage purchase buttons 2a corresponding to different types of beverages. When the beverage purchaser inserts coins from the coin insertion unit and presses the desired beverage purchase button 2a, the paper cup 7 falls from the cup shooter 5 to the beverage injection position.
Then, carbonated water and syrup corresponding to the pressed beverage purchase button are injected into the paper cup 7 by an injection device (not shown). The filled paper cup 7 is taken out from the cup take-out door 6 by the beverage purchaser.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the flow of liquid and gas in the injection device. In FIG. 2, a water pipe 11 is connected to a carbonated water tank 8 via an electromagnetic valve 12, and a carbonated cylinder 9 is connected via an electromagnetic valve 13, and these electromagnetic valves 12 and 13 are turned on / off. Thus, tap water or carbon dioxide gas is injected into the carbonated water tank 8 to generate carbonated water. Also, syrup A,
Each syrup tank 10 containing B and C individually
Is connected to a carbon dioxide cylinder 9 via solenoid valves 15, 16 and 17, respectively. In such an injection device, if the drink purchase button corresponding to the juice A is pressed, the electromagnetic valve 14 is opened for a predetermined time to inject a predetermined amount of carbonated water into the carbonated water tank 8 into the paper cup 7. I do. In parallel with this injection, the electromagnetic valve 15 opens for a predetermined time to inject a predetermined amount of carbon dioxide into the syrup A tank 10. The carbon dioxide gas injected into the syrup A tank 10 extrudes a predetermined amount of syrup A from the syrup A tank 10 and injects it into the paper cup 7. In this way, paper cup 7
The carbonated water and syrup A injected into the paper cup A
Juice A is mixed inside. Similarly,
When the drink purchase button corresponding to juice B is pressed, juice B is generated in paper cup 7 and juice C
Is pressed, the juice C is generated in the paper cup 7.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the syrup tank 10. As shown in FIG. In the figure, a syrup tank 10 as a liquid tank includes a container 10a for storing syrup,
Gas injection pipe 10b, syrup discharge pipe 10c, container 10
leg 10d for supporting a on the floor, sensor fixing part 1
0f and the like. The sensor fixing portion 10f is formed by screwing a bolt 10g penetrating through a hole (not shown) and a female screw portion (not shown) provided on the leg 10d.
a to the bottom wall 10e.
The ultrasonic sensor 101 as a remaining amount information acquiring means is sandwiched and fixed between the outer surface of the ultrasonic sensor 101 and the outer surface.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a main circuit of the syrup remaining amount monitoring apparatus according to this embodiment. In FIG. 4, the syrup remaining amount monitoring device 100 includes a terminal device 11.
1, a communication device 114 as signal transmission means, and a host computing device 119.

Hereinafter, the terminal device 111 and the communication device 1
14 and the configuration of the host arithmetic unit 119 will be described in detail. First, the configuration of the terminal device 111 will be described in detail. The terminal device 111 includes the above-described ultrasonic sensor 10.
1, arithmetic processing circuit 102, display unit 103, operation unit 10
4. It has a storage circuit 105, a reference frequency generation circuit 106, a transmission control circuit 107, a sensor drive circuit 108, a preamplifier circuit 109, a reflected wave detection circuit 110, etc., and is installed inside the cup-type vending machine 1. I have.

The above-mentioned arithmetic processing circuit 1 as first arithmetic means
Reference numeral 02 denotes a CPU or the like, which performs arithmetic processing based on signals sent from an operation unit 104, a storage circuit 105, a reflected wave detection circuit 110, and the like, and a display unit 10
3. Output a signal to the storage circuit 105 or the like. Also,
At a predetermined timing, a pulse signal as shown in FIG. 5B is transmitted to a transmission control circuit to be described later, and a timekeeping operation is started. Note that this timing calculation process is performed based on the number of clock pulses received from a clock pulse generation circuit (not shown).

The display unit 103 as a second display unit
Is composed of a liquid crystal panel or the like, and displays various information based on signals sent from the arithmetic processing circuit 102.

The operation unit 104 includes a plurality of data input keys such as ten keys (not shown), and outputs a signal corresponding to the pressed data input key to the arithmetic processing circuit 102.

The storage circuit 105 includes an RA (not shown).
It has a data storage medium such as an M, a ROM, and a hard disk, and stores various information based on signals output from the arithmetic processing circuit 102.

The above-mentioned reference frequency generating circuit 106
A reference pulse signal of a predetermined frequency as shown in (a) is output to the transmission control circuit 107.

As shown in the output waveform of FIG. 5C, the transmission control circuit 107 outputs the signal from the reference frequency generation circuit 106 only when the pulse signal output from the arithmetic processing circuit 102 is received. It has a function as a gate circuit for transmitting the reference pulse signal to the sensor drive circuit 108. The reference pulse signal from the transmission control circuit 107 is amplified by the sensor drive circuit 108 before the ultrasonic sensor 1
01 is output to the transducer 101a to generate an ultrasonic wave.

As shown in FIG. 3, the ultrasonic sensor 101, which is the remaining amount information acquiring means and the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means, is fixed to the outside of the bottom wall 10e of the container 10a of the syrup tank 10, as shown in FIG. Ultrasonic waves emitted from the transducer 101a of the ultrasonic sensor 101 are transmitted through the bottom wall 10e and the syrup 18 in contact with the bottom wall 10e, and the syrup 18
Is reflected at the liquid surface. Then, the reflected liquid surface reflected wave propagates through the syrup 18 and the bottom wall 10e again, and then propagates to the wave receiving unit 101b of the ultrasonic sensor 101. This wave receiving unit 10
1b converts the liquid level reflected wave into a reflected pulse signal as a liquid level signal as shown in S1 of FIG.

The preamplifier circuit 109 amplifies the reflected pulse signal output from the wave receiving unit 101b and outputs the amplified signal to the reflected wave detection circuit 110.

The reflected wave detection circuit 110 has a detection circuit for detecting a pulse signal having a predetermined intensity or more. When the reflected pulse signal from the preamplifier circuit 109 is detected, a detection signal as shown in FIG. Signal processing circuit 10
Output to 2. In addition, even if a multiple reflection pulse signal related to the multiple reflection wave as shown in S2 of FIG. 5D is detected, a detection signal for this is not output to the arithmetic processing circuit 102. The multiple reflection wave is generated by the liquid surface reflection wave being repeatedly reflected between the bottom wall 10e and the liquid surface.

When the arithmetic processing circuit 102 detects the detection signal output from the reflected wave detection circuit 110, the arithmetic processing circuit 102 stops the timekeeping arithmetic processing and returns the reflected wave required from transmission of the pulse signal to reception of the detection signal. Detection time T (FIG. 5
(See (e)).

Here, the ultrasonic sensor 101 shown in FIG.
From the tip of the (vibrator), syrup 18 in container 10a
The distance L1 to the liquid level can be obtained by the following equation (1). The liquid level L2, which is the distance from the inner surface of the bottom wall 10e of the syrup tank 10 to the liquid surface, can be obtained by the following equation (2).

## EQU1 ## Distance L1 = Transmission speed V of ultrasonic wave in syrup 18 × Reflected wave detection time T / 2

## EQU2 ## Liquid level L2 = distance L1-thickness t of bottom wall 10e

Here, the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the transducer 101a of the ultrasonic sensor 101 to the bottom wall 10e of the container 10a first reaches the boundary between the bottom wall 10e and the syrup 18 in contact with the inner surface thereof. To reach. Since there is a difference in acoustic impedance between the solid bottom wall 10e and the liquid syrup 18, it is difficult for ultrasonic waves to be transmitted from the bottom wall 10e to the syrup 18. However, 10
The [%] degree is transmitted to the syrup 18 and reaches the syrup level. Above the syrup liquid level, syrup 18
There is air having an acoustic impedance difference of about 3600 times with respect to the syrup liquid, and most of the ultrasonic waves reaching the syrup liquid level (about 99.95%) are reflected by the syrup liquid level. Then, the wave is transmitted through the syrup 18 and the bottom wall 19c in a direction opposite to that before the reflection, and is received by the wave receiving unit 101b. The arithmetic processing circuit 102 measures the reflected wave detection time T required from the transmission of the ultrasonic wave transmitted through the bottom wall 10e and the syrup 18 to the reception of the ultrasonic wave, and determines the liquid level L2 based on this. It can be calculated.

In the present syrup remaining amount monitoring apparatus, as shown in FIG. 6, the ultrasonic sensor 101 is connected to the bottom wall 1 of the container 10a.
0e. When this is mounted on the outer surface of the upper wall of the container 10a, the calculation of the liquid level L2 becomes extremely difficult for the following reasons. That is, usually, an air layer is interposed between the upper wall of the container 10a and the syrup 18, and the ultrasonic sensor 101 detects the air layer.
The ultrasonic wave transmitted toward the outer surface of the upper wall of the syrup 18
Before reaching the boundary between the upper wall and the air layer. At this boundary, about 99.95% of the ultrasonic wave is reflected toward the ultrasonic sensor 101 due to a remarkable difference in acoustic impedance between the two. Therefore, only about 0.05% of the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the ultrasonic sensor 101 can be transmitted to the air layer. Furthermore, most of the small amount of ultrasonic waves transmitted to the air layer are reflected at the syrup liquid surface and become liquid surface reflected waves, and then reflected again at the boundary between the air layer and the upper wall and transmitted to the upper wall. Can not do. As a result, it becomes difficult for the wave receiving unit 101b of the ultrasonic sensor 101 to receive the syrup liquid level reflected wave,
This makes it difficult to calculate the liquid level L2.

With respect to the calculation result of the liquid level L2, as shown in the following equation (3), the container 10a
Can be used for calculation of the syrup remaining amount value SV.

## EQU3 ## Syrup residual value SV = Bottom area of bottom wall 10e.times.liquid level L2.

However, if the internal space of the container 10a is not cylindrical or regular polygonal as shown in FIG. 6, but has a special shape, the calculation formula for obtaining the syrup residual value SV is Instead of such a linear function, there may be a complicated function such as a quadratic function or a cubic function.

Further, the relationship between the syrup residual value SV and the liquid level L2 may not be indicated by a function because the internal space has a special shape. However, even in such a case, a database in which each syrup residual value SV is associated with each liquid level L2 value is prepared, and the syrup residual value S corresponding to the measurement result of the liquid level L2 value is prepared.
If V is searched and specified from the database, the syrup residual value SV can be obtained.

Then, the arithmetic processing circuit 102 calculates the liquid level L2 based on the acquired reflected wave detection time T and the calculation formulas expressed by the above equations (1) and (2).
The syrup remaining value SV is calculated based on this and a predetermined formula or database. Then, a signal relating to the calculated syrup remaining amount value SV is transmitted to a transmitting device 114 described later.

Although only one ultrasonic sensor 101 is shown in FIG. 4 for convenience, the same number of ultrasonic sensors 101 as the number of syrup tanks 10 are actually used in the sensor drive circuit 108 and the preamplifier circuit 109. It is connected to the. A switching circuit (not shown) is provided between each ultrasonic sensor 101 and the drive circuit 108 and between each ultrasonic sensor and the preamplifier circuit 109. The switching circuit includes a contact between an arbitrary ultrasonic sensor 101 and a sensor drive circuit 108 and an arbitrary ultrasonic sensor 101 and a preamplifier circuit 109 in accordance with a signal from the arithmetic processing circuit 102.
Is turned on. And this O
In response to N, the ultrasonic sensor 101 mounted on an arbitrary syrup tank 10 is driven to cause the preamplifier circuit 109 to detect the liquid level reflected wave related to the syrup tank 10.

Next, the transmitting device 114 serving as signal transmitting means
Will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 4, the transmitting device 114 is connected to a transmitting / receiving circuit 112 such as a modem installed inside the cup-type vending machine 1 and a delivery management center for managing unloading of the syrup tank 10 from the syrup processing factory. And a transmitting / receiving circuit 113 such as an installed modem.

The transmission / reception circuit 112 having a function as a transmission unit is provided in the arithmetic processing circuit 102 of the terminal device 111.
Or various transmission signals transmitted from the communication circuit 113 via the telephone line or wirelessly, and receives various transmission signals transmitted from the transmission / reception circuit 113 via the telephone line or wirelessly and outputs the signals to the arithmetic processing circuit 102. I do.

The transmission / reception circuit 113 having a function as a reception unit transmits various output signals from a host arithmetic unit 119 to be described later via a telephone line or wirelessly.
2, or receives various transmission signals transmitted from the transmission / reception circuit 112 via a telephone line or wirelessly, and outputs the signals to the host arithmetic unit 119. Various signals are transmitted wirelessly from the transmitting circuit 112 to the receiving circuit 113.
For example, a method of using a mobile phone or the like is conceivable.

Next, the configuration of the host arithmetic unit 119 will be described in detail. In FIG. 4, a host processing unit 119 composed of a personal computer or the like includes an arithmetic processing circuit 1
15, a display unit 116, an operation unit 117 including a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, a storage circuit 118, and the like, and are installed in the delivery management center together with the transmission / reception circuit 113 of the communication device 114.

The arithmetic processing circuit 1 as the second arithmetic means
Reference numeral 15 denotes a transmission command signal relating to the syrup residual value SV signal based on an operator's command signal transmitted from the operation unit 117 as a signal input unit. Output to the transmission / reception circuit 113. This transmission command signal, which is a transmission start timing signal, is output to the arithmetic processing circuit 102 of the terminal device 111 via the transmission / reception circuit 113, the telephone line or wireless communication, and the transmission / reception circuit 112.

The arithmetic processing circuit 1 of the terminal device 111
02, when the transmission command signal is output, the syrup remaining value SV for each syrup 18 is calculated and output to the communication device 114 while sequentially acquiring the reflected wave detection time T for each syrup tank 10. These syrup residual values S
The V signal is transmitted to the arithmetic processing circuit 115 of the host arithmetic unit 119 via the transmitting / receiving circuit 112, the telephone line or wireless communication, and the transmitting / receiving circuit 113.

When the arithmetic processing circuit 115 of the host arithmetic unit 119 receives the syrup residual value SV signal, the arithmetic processing circuit 115 stores the syrup residual value SV related to each syrup tank in the database circuit in a time-series manner in a database format. Remember. Then, when a display command signal is input to the operation unit 117 by the operator, the syrup remaining value SV of the predetermined syrup 18 at a predetermined time is searched from the syrup remaining database of the storage circuit 118, and the above-mentioned CRT display etc. It is displayed on the display unit 116.

It should be noted that the output of each syrup residual value SV signal is output not at the reception of the transmission command signal transmitted from the host arithmetic unit 119 but at a predetermined timing, for example, every predetermined time. Terminal device 1
11 may be configured. With this configuration,
The transmission / reception circuit 112 of the communication device 114 can be a transmission-only circuit, and the transmission / reception circuit 113 can be a reception-only circuit.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of signals between the respective devices of the present syrup remaining amount monitoring device. In FIG. 7, sites A, B, and C that are geographically separated from each other
Includes three syrup tanks 10, the terminal device 111, and the transmitting / receiving circuit 112 of the communication device 114.
And a cup-type vending machine 1 having the following. In the delivery management center, the transmission / reception circuit 113 of the communication device 114 and the host computing device 119 are installed.

Transmission / reception circuit 11 of each cup-type vending machine 1
2 is received by the transmission / reception circuit 113 of the delivery management center, and is stored in the storage circuit 118 via the arithmetic processing circuit 115 of the host arithmetic unit 119. .

The operator of the host computing device 119 operates the operation unit 119 to display the desired syrup residual value SV at a desired site on the display unit 116, thereby allowing each syrup tank 10 at each site to be displayed. , The syrup remaining value SV can be remotely monitored. In this way, by remotely monitoring the syrup residual value in this way, it is possible to omit the periodic patrol work to each site such as visually checking the syrup liquid level in each syrup tank 10 at each site. Therefore, it is possible to know an appropriate replacement timing of each syrup tank 10. Then, if each syrup tank 10 is delivered from the syrup processing factory based on this replacement timing, the syrup 18 can be replenished at each site at a timing at which the syrup tank 10 at each site is not emptied. In addition, the host computing device 1
The operator performs the calculation of the moving average of the syrup 18 based on the syrup remaining amount value displayed on the display unit 116 of the syrup 18, so that each time period, each day of the week,
Weekly or monthly consumption trend prediction can be performed. Further, if the arithmetic processing circuit 102 or the arithmetic processing circuit 115 performs such a moving average calculation based on the syrup remaining amount database stored in the storage circuit 118, the consumption trend prediction is performed. It is possible to omit the operation of the operator for the purpose. Further, when each user owns each cup-type vending machine instead of the owner of the delivery management center, even if the syrup 18 is not ordered from each user, each syrup tank 10 at each site can be used. Each syrup 18 can be replenished at an appropriate timing so as not to empty.

In this embodiment, the syrup remaining amount monitoring device including the ultrasonic sensor as the remaining amount information acquiring means has been described. However, other remaining amount information acquiring devices that can be arranged outside the liquid tank of the vending machine are described. The present invention can also be applied to a commodity remaining amount monitoring device including the means. As such a remaining amount information acquiring means, there is a flow rate sensor for detecting a flow rate of a liquid in a liquid discharging pipe for discharging a liquid from a liquid tank. When such a flow sensor is used, the quantitative data of the remaining amount of the liquid in the liquid tank may be calculated as follows. That is, the liquid discharge amount from the liquid tank is calculated based on the liquid flow rate in the liquid discharge pipe, and the liquid discharge amount is calculated based on the initial storage amount of the liquid in the liquid tank (or the remaining liquid amount up to the previous time). May be subtracted.

[0058]

According to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth aspect of the invention, consumption of liquid which is a commodity of a vending machine is performed based on quantitative remote monitoring of the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid tank. Since the trend prediction can be performed, there is an excellent effect that the liquid replenishment timing that can avoid running out of stock can be managed based on the consumption trend prediction. In addition, when the liquid tank is replaced, the liquid in the liquid tank is not contaminated by dust, dirt, and dirt of the remaining amount information acquiring means itself. There is an excellent effect that can be.

In particular, according to the invention of claim 2, there is an excellent effect that the contamination of the liquid due to the contact with the remaining amount information obtaining means can be avoided.

In particular, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the quantitative liquid remaining amount of each liquid tank of a vending machine having a plurality of liquid tanks is individually and remotely monitored. There is an excellent effect that liquid replenishment timings that can avoid running out of stock can be individually managed.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the liquid replenishment timing for a plurality of vending machines can be managed by one combination of the receiving unit, the second calculating unit, and the display unit. Has an excellent effect.

Further, in particular, according to the invention of claim 5, there is an excellent effect that the operator can obtain quantitative information on the liquid remaining amount at an arbitrary timing and remotely monitor the information.

In particular, according to the invention of claim 6, there is an excellent effect that the liquid replenishment operator can also obtain the liquid remaining amount.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a cup-type vending machine to be monitored by a syrup remaining amount monitoring device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the flow of liquid and gas in the injection device of the cup-type vending machine.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a syrup tank of the cup-type vending machine.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a main circuit of the syrup remaining amount monitoring device.

FIGS. 5A to 5E are waveform diagrams showing signal waveforms in the terminal device of the syrup remaining amount monitoring device.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the ultrasonic sensor and the syrup tank of the terminal device.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a signal flow between the respective devices of the syrup remaining amount monitoring device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cup-type vending machine 2 Operation display part 3 Coin insertion part 4 Change drop part 5 Cup shooter 6 Cup removal door 7 Cup 8 Carbonated water tank 9 Carbonated cylinder 10 Syrup tank 11 Water pipe 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 , 17 Solenoid valve 18 Syrup 100 Syrup remaining amount monitoring device 101 Ultrasonic sensor 102 Arithmetic processing circuit 103 Display unit 104 Operation unit 105 Storage circuit 106 Reference frequency generation circuit 107 Transmission control circuit 108 Sensor drive circuit 109 Preamplifier circuit 110 Reflected wave detection Circuit 111 Terminal device 112 Transmission / reception circuit 113 Transmission / reception circuit 114 Communication device 115 Operation processing circuit 116 Display unit 117 Operation unit 118 Storage circuit 119 Host processing unit

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Fumio Ikeuchi 10-3 Kitamura, Tottori City, Tottori Prefecture F-term in Ricoh Microelectronics Corporation 2F014 AB01 FB01

Claims (6)

[Claims] And a first calculating means for performing predetermined calculation processing based on an output signal from the remaining amount information obtaining means. A signal transmitting means for transmitting an output signal from the first calculating means from a transmitting unit to a receiving unit by a telephone line or wirelessly, and a second calculating means for performing a predetermined calculation based on the output signal from the receiving unit Means, and a display means for displaying information on the remaining amount of the commodity based on an output signal from the second arithmetic means. An apparatus for monitoring the remaining amount of goods, characterized in that information relating to the remaining amount of liquid in a liquid tank to be stored is quantitatively acquired, and a device that can be arranged outside the liquid tank is provided. 2. The commodity remaining amount monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein said remaining amount information acquiring means transmits an ultrasonic wave toward an outer surface of a bottom wall of said liquid tank, and transmits said ultrasonic wave to said outer surface of said bottom wall. After receiving the reflected wave transmitted to the liquid in the liquid tank and then reflected on the liquid surface of the liquid and transmitted again to the outer surface of the bottom wall, there is provided a device having a receiving means for receiving the reflected wave. The first calculating means is configured to calculate a reflected wave detection time, which is a time from when the wave is transmitted from the wave transmitting means to when the reflected wave is received by the wave receiving means, and An apparatus for monitoring the remaining amount of a product, wherein the first calculating means or the second calculating means is configured to quantitatively calculate the liquid remaining amount based on the wave detection time and display the result on the display device. 3. The commodity remaining amount monitoring apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information relating to the remaining amount of liquid in each liquid tank in the vending machine having a plurality of liquid tanks is individually acquired. The first information so as to calculate the amount of liquid remaining in each liquid tank individually based on the reflected wave detection time for each liquid tank.
An apparatus for monitoring the remaining amount of a product, comprising a calculating means or a second calculating means. 4. The commodity remaining amount monitoring device according to claim 2, further comprising a plurality of remaining amount information acquisition means, a first calculation means, and a transmission unit corresponding to the individual vending machines, respectively. A first calculating means and a second calculating means configured to execute a calculating process for displaying the remaining liquid amount of the machine on the display means; 5. The commodity remaining amount monitoring device according to claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein said transmitting means for transmitting said ultrasonic wave based on a transmitting signal from said first arithmetic means, and said transmitting unit. And a signal input means for inputting a transmission start timing signal of the ultrasonic wave to the second arithmetic means, wherein the signal transmission means is a transmission / reception section for transmitting and receiving signals. The second arithmetic means is configured to output a start timing signal to the signal transmission means, and the transmission signal is output based on the transmission start timing signal transmitted from the signal transmission means. A remaining amount monitoring device, wherein the first calculating means is configured. 6. A commodity remaining amount monitoring apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a second display means for displaying predetermined information based on an output signal from said first arithmetic means. 2. The commodity remaining amount monitoring device, wherein the first computing means is configured to cause the second display means to execute a computing process for displaying the liquid remaining amount.