Automatic vending machine system

Abstract

To provide an automatic vending machine system that can unlock a front door of an automatic vending machine when the automatic vending machine and a portable terminal are located at an appropriate distance.SOLUTION: An automatic vending machine system 100 includes an automatic vending machine 10, and a portable terminal 20 capable of performing short-distance wireless communication 1 for authentication and short-distance wireless communication 2 for distance measurement mutually with the automatic vending machine 10. A front door 16 on the front side of the automatic vending machine 10 is configured to be unlocked based on the results of authentication of the portable terminal 20 by the automatic vending machine 10 via the short-distance wireless communication 1 for authentication and a distance L1 between the automatic vending machine 10 and the portable terminal 20 being less than a first threshold value T1 based on the short-distance wireless communication 2 for distance measurement.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a vending machine system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a vending machine system is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a vending machine system including a vending machine and a mobile terminal. When key information corresponding to the vending machine is given from the mobile terminal to the vending machine via BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication, the front door of the vending machine is unlocked.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the vending machine system of Patent Document 1, since the vending machine and the mobile terminal are located within the communicable distance range of BLE communication, even when the operator carrying the mobile terminal is not near the vending machine, the front door of the vending machine may be unlocked. Since the communication distance by BLE communication reaches several tens of meters, the vending machine may be unlocked even when the distance between the vending machine and the operator carrying the mobile terminal is far apart. Therefore, it is desired that the front door of the vending machine can be unlocked when the vending machine and the mobile terminal are located at an appropriate distance.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and one object of the present invention is to provide a vending machine system capable of unlocking the front door of a vending machine when the vending machine and a portable terminal are located at an appropriate distance.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To achieve the above object, a vending machine system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a vending machine, a proximity wireless communication for authentication, a proximity wireless communication for distance measurement, a portable terminal capable of mutually communicating with the vending machine, an authentication result of the vending machine for the portable terminal via the proximity wireless communication for authentication, and a distance between the vending machine and the portable terminal based on the proximity wireless communication for distance measurement being equal to or less than a first threshold value. Based on this, the front door provided in the front of the vending machine is configured to be unlocked.

[0008] In the vending machine system according to one aspect of the present invention, as described above, based on the authentication result of the vending machine for the portable terminal via the proximity wireless communication for authentication and the distance between the vending machine and the portable terminal based on the proximity wireless communication for distance measurement being equal to or less than a first threshold value, the front door provided in the front of the vending machine is configured to be unlocked. Thus, even if the portable terminal is authenticated by the vending machine via the proximity wireless communication for authentication, if the distance between the vending machine and the portable terminal based on the proximity wireless communication for distance measurement is not equal to or less than the first threshold value, the front door of the vending machine is not unlocked, and when the distance between the vending machine and the portable terminal based on the proximity wireless communication for distance measurement is equal to or less than the first threshold value, the front door of the vending machine is unlocked. Therefore, when the vending machine and the portable terminal are located at an appropriate distance, the front door of the vending machine can be unlocked.

[0009] In the vending machine system according to the above-described one aspect, preferably, the mobile terminal or the vending machine is configured to measure the distance between the vending machine and the mobile terminal based on short-range wireless communication for distance measurement, based on the fact that the mobile terminal has been authenticated by the vending machine via short-range wireless communication for authentication. With this configuration, after the mobile terminal has been authenticated by the vending machine, it is possible to start measuring the distance between the vending machine and the mobile terminal based on short-range wireless communication for distance measurement. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the processing load due to short-range wireless communication for distance measurement and suppress power consumption.

[0010] In the vending machine system according to the above-described one aspect, preferably, after the front door of the vending machine is unlocked, the front door of the vending machine is configured to be locked based on the distance between the vending machine and the mobile terminal based on short-range wireless communication for distance measurement. With this configuration, since the front door of the vending machine is locked based on the distance between the vending machine and the mobile terminal based on short-range wireless communication for distance measurement, the operator carrying the mobile terminal can have the front door of the vending machine automatically locked just by moving away from the vending machine. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the work load of the operator.

[0011] In the vending machine system according to the above-described one aspect, preferably, the vending machine includes a first vending machine-side communication unit that communicates via short-range wireless communication for authentication and a second vending machine-side communication unit that communicates via short-range wireless communication for distance measurement, which is a communication method different from short-range wireless communication for authentication. The mobile terminal includes a first mobile terminal-side communication unit that communicates via short-range wireless communication for authentication and a second mobile terminal-side communication unit that communicates via short-range wireless communication for distance measurement. With this configuration, since short-range wireless communication for distance measurement is performed by a communication method different from short-range wireless communication for authentication, it is possible to accurately measure the distance between the vending machine and the mobile terminal by using short-range wireless communication suitable for distance measurement as short-range wireless communication for distance measurement.

[0012] In this case, preferably, the communication distance of the short-range wireless communication for distance measurement is smaller than the communication distance of the short-range wireless communication for authentication. With such a configuration, at the position where the mobile terminal is authenticated by the vending machine through the short-range wireless communication for authentication, the short-range wireless communication for distance measurement is not performed, and at a position with a communication distance of the short-range wireless communication for distance measurement that is smaller than the communication distance of the short-range wireless communication for authentication, communication between the second communication unit on the vending machine side and the second communication unit on the mobile terminal side is performed through the short-range wireless communication for distance measurement. Therefore, when the vending machine and the mobile terminal are positioned at a more appropriate distance, the front door of the vending machine can be unlocked.

[0013] In the vending machine system according to the above aspect, preferably, an instrument that is separately used by an operator using the mobile terminal and is provided with a communication unit for performing short-range wireless communication for distance measurement with the vending machine and the mobile terminal is further provided, and based on the authentication result of the vending machine for the mobile terminal through the short-range wireless communication for authentication, the distance between the vending machine and the mobile terminal based on the short-range wireless communication for distance measurement, and the distance between the instrument and the vending machine and the mobile terminal based on the short-range wireless communication for distance measurement, the front door of the vending machine is configured to be unlocked. With such a configuration, not only the distance between the vending machine and the mobile terminal but also the distance between the instrument separately used by the operator using the mobile terminal and the vending machine and the mobile terminal are used as the basis for unlocking the front door of the vending machine. Therefore, even when the operator loses the mobile terminal or the operator's mobile terminal is stolen, it is possible to prevent the front door of the vending machine from being unlocked only by the lost or stolen mobile terminal. Therefore, the security for unlocking the front door of the vending machine can be improved.

[0014] In this case, preferably, based on the distance between the vending machine and the mobile terminal measured by short-range wireless communication for distance measurement being equal to or less than a first threshold value, the distance between the instrument and the vending machine measured by short-range wireless communication for distance measurement being greater than the first threshold value and equal to or less than a second threshold value, and the distance between the instrument and the mobile terminal measured by short-range wireless communication for distance measurement being greater than the first threshold value and equal to or less than a third threshold value, the front door of the vending machine is configured to be unlocked. With this configuration, when unlocking the front door of the vending machine, if the distance between the vending machine and the mobile terminal carried by the operator is smaller than the distance between the instrument and the vending machine and the distance between the instrument and the mobile terminal, the front door of the vending machine can be surely unlocked based on the fact that the distance between the vending machine and the mobile terminal has become closer, and the security for unlocking the front door of the vending machine can be further improved.

[0015] In the configuration where the front door of the vending machine is unlocked, preferably, after the front door of the vending machine is unlocked, based on the distance between the vending machine and the mobile terminal measured by short-range wireless communication for distance measurement being equal to or greater than a fourth threshold value greater than the first threshold value, the front door of the vending machine is configured to be locked. With this configuration, by locking the front door of the vending machine based on the fact that the distance is equal to or greater than a fourth threshold value greater than the first threshold value when unlocking the front door of the vending machine, when the operator carrying the mobile terminal moves outside the working area for the vending machine, the front door of the vending machine can be automatically locked.

[0016] In the vending machine system according to the above-described one aspect, preferably, based on the distance between the vending machine and the mobile terminal measured based on short-range wireless communication for distance measurement being equal to or less than a first threshold value, and based on a predetermined operation on the vending machine being received, the front door of the vending machine is configured to be unlocked. With this configuration, not only the distance between the vending machine and the mobile terminal measured based on short-range wireless communication for distance measurement, but also the front door of the vending machine can be unlocked based on a simple predetermined operation on the vending machine. Therefore, the security for unlocking the front door of the vending machine can be further improved.

[0017] In this case, preferably, based on at least one of an operation of a product selection button for selecting a product to be sold provided on the vending machine and an operation of a return lever for currency return provided on the vending machine, which are predetermined operations on the vending machine, being received, the front door of the vending machine is configured to be unlocked. With this configuration, the front door of the vending machine can be unlocked based on a simple operation such as an operation of the product selection button or an operation of the return lever, which are predetermined operations on the vending machine.

Effects of the Invention

[0018] According to the present invention, as described above, it is possible to provide a vending machine system capable of unlocking the front door of the vending machine when the vending machine and the mobile terminal are located at an appropriate distance.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019]

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[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments embodying the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0021] [First Embodiment] (Configuration of Vending Machine System) With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the configuration of a vending machine system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the vending machine system 100 includes a plurality of vending machines 10 and a mobile terminal 20. The vending machine 10 is a device for selling commodities such as canned beverages, bottled beverages, foodstuffs, and articles. The mobile terminal 20 is configured to be capable of performing first short-range wireless communication 1 and second short-range wireless communication 2 with each of the plurality of vending machines 10. The mobile terminal 20 is configured to be carried by an operator who manages the vending machines 10. The mobile terminal 20 is, for example, a smartphone carried by the operator. Note that the first short-range wireless communication 1 is an example of the "authentication short-range wireless communication" in the claims. Also, the second short-range wireless communication 2 is an example of the "distance measurement short-range wireless communication" in the claims.

[0023] (Configuration of Vending Machine) As shown in FIG. 2, the vending machine 10 includes a vending machine side first communication unit 11, a vending machine side second communication unit 12, an electric lock mechanism 13, a front door opening / closing detection unit 14, and a vending machine side control unit 15. The vending machine 10 also includes a main body cabinet (not shown) and a front door 16 (see FIG. 1) provided to be openable and closable with respect to the main body cabinet.

[0024] The vending machine side first communication unit 11 is configured to perform the first short-range wireless communication 1 with the mobile terminal side first communication unit 21 of the mobile terminal 20. The first short-range wireless communication 1 is, for example, BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication. The vending machine side first communication unit 11 performs the first short-range wireless communication 1 with the mobile terminal side first communication unit 21 of the mobile terminal 20 by BLE communication. Based on the data transmitted from the mobile terminal side first communication unit 21 and received by the vending machine side first communication unit 11, the vending machine side control unit 15 authenticates the mobile terminal 20.

[0025] In the first embodiment, the communication range of the BLE communication is, for example, at least 10 m or more. In the first embodiment, the communication range of the first short-range wireless communication 1 is larger than the communication range of the second short-range wireless communication 2. The vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 carried by the operator perform the first short-range wireless communication 1 with each other by BLE communication. Note that the communication range of the BLE communication is not particularly limited.

[0026] The vending machine side second communication unit 12 is configured to perform the second short-range wireless communication 2 with the mobile terminal side second communication unit 22 of the mobile terminal 20. The second short-range wireless communication 2 is, for example, UWB (Ultra Wide Band) communication. The vending machine side second communication unit 12 performs the second short-range wireless communication 2 with the mobile terminal side second communication unit 22 of the mobile terminal 20 by UWB communication. As an example, when the vending machine side second communication unit 12 transmits a pulse signal and the mobile terminal side second communication unit 22 receives the pulse signal transmitted from the vending machine side second communication unit 12 and measures the time from the transmission to the reception of the signal, the mobile terminal side control unit 23 acquires the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20. Note that the method for measuring the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 by the second short-range wireless communication 2 is not limited to the above method.

[0027] In the first embodiment, the communication range of the UWB communication is, for example, at least 2 m or more. In the first embodiment, the communication range of the second short-range wireless communication 2 is smaller than the communication range of the first short-range wireless communication 1. The vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 carried by the operator perform the second short-range wireless communication 2 with each other by UWB communication. Note that the communication range of the UWB communication is not particularly limited.

[0028] The electric lock mechanism 13 is configured to unlock the front door 16 under the control of the control unit of the vending machine 10. Further, the electric lock mechanism 13 is configured to lock the front door 16 under the control of the control unit of the vending machine 10. The electric lock mechanism 13 allows the front door 16 of the vending machine 10 to change from the closed state to the open state in the unlocked state. Also, the electric lock mechanism 13 prohibits the front door 16 of the vending machine 10 from changing from the closed state to the open state in the locked state. The electric lock mechanism 13 has a lock member (not shown) and a recess (not shown) into which a pin member (not shown) of the lock member is inserted. The lock member is configured to house the pin member in the energized state and project the pin member in the state where the energization has stopped. Note that the electric lock mechanism 13 is not limited to the above configuration and may be other known configurations.

[0029] The front door opening / closing detection unit 14 is configured to detect the opening and closing of the front door 16. The front door opening / closing detection unit 14 may be any type of detection unit as long as it can detect the opening and closing of the front door 16. For example, the front door opening / closing detection unit 14 may be configured by a button-type (mechanical) detection unit that turns ON when pressed when the front door 16 is opened or closed, or an optical detection unit that detects that the front door 16 has been opened by blocking detection light when the front door 16 is opened or closed.

[0030] The vending machine side control unit 15 is configured to control each part of the vending machine 10. The vending machine side control unit 15 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a storage unit such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0031] The vending machine side control unit 15 is configured to unlock the front door 16 based on the authentication result for the mobile terminal 20 via the first short-range wireless communication 1 and the fact that the distance L1 (see FIG. 3) between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is equal to or less than the first threshold value T1 (see FIG. 3). Further, after the front door 16 is unlocked, the vending machine side control unit 15 is configured to lock the front door 16 based on the distance L1 (see FIG. 3) between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 based on the second short-range wireless communication 2.

[0032] Also, after the front door 16 is unlocked, when the front door opening / closing detection unit 14 detects that the front door 16 is in the open state, the vending machine side control unit 15 is configured to cause the vending machine side first communication unit 11 to transmit an open state signal indicating that the front door 16 is in the open state to the mobile terminal side first communication unit 21. When the mobile terminal side first communication unit 21 receives the open state signal, the mobile terminal side control unit 23 interrupts the measurement of the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 based on the second short-range wireless communication 2. Note that the mobile terminal side control unit 23 does not necessarily have to interrupt the measurement of the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 based on the second short-range wireless communication 2.

[0033] Also, after transmitting the open state signal to the mobile terminal side first communication unit 21, when the front door opening / closing detection unit 14 detects that the front door 16 is in the closed state, the vending machine side control unit 15 is configured to cause the vending machine side first communication unit 11 to transmit a closed state signal indicating that the front door 16 is in the closed state to the mobile terminal side first communication unit 21. When the mobile terminal side first communication unit 21 receives the closed state signal, the mobile terminal side control unit 23 starts the measurement of the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 based on the second short-range wireless communication 2.

[0034] (Configuration of the mobile terminal) The mobile terminal 20 includes a mobile terminal side first communication unit 21, a mobile terminal side second communication unit 22, and a mobile terminal side control unit 23.

[0035] The first communication unit 21 on the mobile terminal side is configured to perform first short-range wireless communication 1 with the first communication unit 11 on the vending machine side of the vending machine 10. The first communication unit 21 on the mobile terminal side performs first short-range wireless communication 1 with the first communication unit 21 on the mobile terminal side of the mobile terminal 20 via BLE communication. When the first communication unit 21 on the mobile terminal side receives a BLE beacon transmitted from the first communication unit 11 on the vending machine side, it transmits a connection request signal to the vending machine 10. Based on the data transmitted from the first communication unit 21 on the mobile terminal side and received by the first communication unit 11 on the vending machine side, the vending machine side control unit 15 authenticates the mobile terminal 20.

[0036] The second communication unit 22 on the mobile terminal side is configured to perform second short-range wireless communication 2 with the second communication unit 12 on the vending machine side of the vending machine 10. The second communication unit 22 on the mobile terminal side performs second short-range wireless communication 2 with the second communication unit 12 on the vending machine side via UWB communication. The second communication unit 22 on the mobile terminal side receives a pulse signal transmitted from the second communication unit 12 on the vending machine side.

[0037] The control unit 23 on the mobile terminal side is configured to control each part of the mobile terminal 20. The control unit 23 on the mobile terminal side includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a storage unit such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0038] Based on the authentication of the mobile terminal 20 by the vending machine 10 via the first short-range wireless communication 1, the control unit 23 on the mobile terminal side is configured to measure the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 based on the second short-range wireless communication 2.

[0039] Specifically, when the mobile terminal side first communication unit 21 receives a connection permission signal from the vending machine side first communication unit 11, the mobile terminal side control unit 23 activates the mobile terminal side second communication unit 22. As a result, the mobile terminal side second communication unit 22 starts the second short-range wireless communication 2 with the vending machine side second communication unit 12, and measures the time from the transmission to the reception of the pulse signal transmitted from the vending machine side second communication unit 12 and received by the mobile terminal 20 second communication unit, thereby obtaining the distance L1 between the mobile terminal 20 and the vending machine 10.

[0040] Also, when the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is equal to or less than the first threshold value T1, the mobile terminal side control unit 23 is configured to cause the mobile terminal side first communication unit 21 to transmit an unlocking instruction signal to the vending machine side first communication unit 11. In the first embodiment, the first threshold value T1 is, for example, 100 cm. That is, when the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is 100 cm or less, the mobile terminal side control unit 23 is configured to cause the mobile terminal side first communication unit 21 to transmit an unlocking instruction signal to the vending machine side first communication unit 11. Note that the first threshold value T1 is not limited to the above value.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 3(a), when the mobile terminal 20 is authenticated by the vending machine side control unit 15 via the first short-range wireless communication 1, based on the fact that the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is equal to or less than the first threshold value T1, the front door 16 is unlocked.

[0042] Further, after the front door 16 is changed from the open state to the closed state and the mobile terminal side first communication unit 21 receives a closed state signal from the vending machine side first communication unit 11, when the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is greater than the first threshold value T1, the mobile terminal side control unit 23 is configured to cause the mobile terminal side first communication unit 21 to transmit a locking instruction signal to the vending machine side first communication unit 11. That is, after the front door 16 is changed from the open state to the closed state, when the distance between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is greater than the first threshold value T1 (100 cm), the mobile terminal side control unit 23 is configured to cause the mobile terminal side first communication unit 21 to transmit a locking instruction signal to the vending machine side first communication unit 11.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 3(b), based on the fact that the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is greater than the first threshold value T1, the front door 16 is unlocked.

[0044] (Authentication of Mobile Terminal by Vending Machine and Unlocking and Locking of Electric Lock Mechanism) Based on the authentication result of the mobile terminal 20 by the vending machine 10 via the first short-range wireless communication 1 and the fact that the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is equal to or less than the first threshold value T1, the front door 16 is unlocked. Hereinafter, the authentication of the mobile terminal 20 by the vending machine 10 and the unlocking and locking of the electric lock mechanism 13 will be described.

[0045] The mobile terminal 20 stores application software for acquiring key information in the storage unit. The key information is information for unlocking and locking the front door 16 by the electric lock mechanism 13 of the vending machine 10. The mobile terminal 20 is configured to be communicable with a management server 3 (see FIG. 1) via a network 4 such as the Internet. The management server 3 registers the vending machine 10 ID which is the identification information of the vending machine 10, the mobile terminal 20 ID which is the identification information of the mobile terminal 20, the operator ID which is the identification information of the operator, the key information, the expiration date of the key information, and the like.

[0046] Based on the operation of the mobile terminal 20 by the operator, the mobile terminal side control unit 23 acquires the key information of a plurality of vending machines 10 managed by the operator via the management server 3 by a communication unit (not shown). The mobile terminal side control unit 23 stores the acquired key information for each vending machine 10 in the storage unit. Thereby, the operator can store the key information of each of the plurality of vending machines 10 managed by himself / herself in the held mobile terminal 20.

[0047] When the mobile terminal side first communication unit 21 of the mobile terminal 20 that has acquired the key information receives the BLE beacon of the first short-range wireless communication 1 from any one of the vending machines 10 to be managed, it transmits a connection request signal to the vending machine side first communication unit 11, thereby establishing a communication connection with the vending machine side first communication unit 11.

[0048] The vending machine side control unit 15 determines whether the mobile terminal 20 has the unlocking authority for the electric lock mechanism 13 of the vending machine 10 by authenticating the mobile terminal 20. Specifically, the vending machine side control unit 15 acquires information such as the vending machine 10 ID, the mobile terminal 20 ID, the operator ID, the key information, and the expiration date of the key information from the mobile terminal side first communication unit 21 by the vending machine side first communication unit 11, and determines whether the mobile terminal 20 has the unlocking authority for the electric lock mechanism 13 of the vending machine 10 by collating these pieces of information.

[0049] When the vending machine side control unit 15 determines that the mobile terminal 20 is a mobile terminal having the unlocking authority for the electric lock mechanism 13 of the vending machine 10, it transmits a connection permission signal to the first communication unit 21 on the mobile terminal side and continues communication with the first communication unit 21 on the mobile terminal side. Further, when the vending machine side control unit 15 determines that the mobile terminal 20 is not a mobile terminal having the unlocking authority for the electric lock mechanism 13 of the vending machine 10, it disconnects the communication with the first communication unit 21 on the mobile terminal side.

[0050] When the vending machine side control unit 15 determines, as a result of authentication, that the mobile terminal 20 is a mobile terminal having the unlocking authority for the electric lock mechanism 13 of the vending machine 10, it unlocks the front door 16 by the electric lock mechanism 13 based on the unlocking instruction signal transmitted from the first communication unit 21 on the mobile terminal side. Further, when the front door 16 changes from the opened state to the closed state, the vending machine side control unit 15 locks the front door 16 by the electric lock mechanism 13 based on the locking instruction signal transmitted from the first communication unit 21 on the mobile terminal side.

[0051] (Unlocking instruction and locking instruction of the electric lock mechanism by the mobile terminal) When the first communication unit 21 on the mobile terminal side receives a connection permission signal from the first communication unit 11 on the vending machine side, the control unit 23 on the mobile terminal side activates the second communication unit 22 on the mobile terminal side and starts the second short-range wireless communication 2 between the second communication unit 22 on the mobile terminal side and the second communication unit 12 on the vending machine side. Then, the control unit 23 on the mobile terminal side measures the time from the transmission to the reception of the pulse signal transmitted from the second communication unit 12 on the vending machine side to obtain the distance L1 between the mobile terminal 20 and the vending machine 10.

[0052] When the distance L1 between the mobile terminal 20 and the vending machine 10 based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is equal to or less than the first threshold value T1, the mobile terminal side control unit 23 causes the mobile terminal side first communication unit 21 to transmit an unlocking instruction signal to the vending machine side first communication unit 11. Further, after the mobile terminal side first communication unit 21 receives a closed state signal from the first communication on the vending machine 10 side, when the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is greater than the first threshold value T1, the mobile terminal side control unit 23 causes the mobile terminal side first communication unit 21 to transmit a locking instruction signal to the vending machine side first communication unit 11.

[0053] (Control of unlocking and locking of the electric lock mechanism of the vending machine) Referring to FIG. 4, the control of unlocking and locking of the electric lock mechanism 13 of the vending machine 10 according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0054] In step S1, the BLE beacon transmitted from the vending machine side first communication unit 11 is received by the mobile terminal side first communication unit 21.

[0055] In step S2, the first short-range wireless communication 1 is started between the mobile terminal side first communication unit 21 and the vending machine side first communication unit 11, and a connection request signal is transmitted from the mobile device side control unit to the vending machine 10 first communication unit via the mobile device side first communication unit.

[0056] In step S3, it is determined whether or not the mobile terminal 20 has the unlocking authority for the electric lock mechanism 13 of the vending machine 10 by authenticating the mobile terminal 20 by the vending machine side control unit 15. If it is determined that the mobile terminal 20 is a mobile terminal 20 having the unlocking authority for the electric lock mechanism 13 of the vending machine 10 (Yes in step S3), the process proceeds to step S4. If it is determined that the mobile terminal 20 is not a mobile terminal 20 having the unlocking authority for the electric lock mechanism 13 of the vending machine 10 (No in step S3), the process proceeds to step S5.

[0057] In step S4, the vending machine side control unit 15 transmits a connection permission signal to the mobile terminal side first communication unit 21 via the vending machine side first communication unit 11.

[0058] In step S5, the vending machine side control unit 15 disconnects the communication with the mobile terminal side first communication unit 21 via the vending machine side first communication unit 11.

[0059] In step S6, when the mobile terminal side control unit 23 activates the mobile terminal side second communication unit 22, the second short-range wireless communication 2 is started between the mobile terminal side second communication unit 22 and the vending machine side second communication unit 12.

[0060] In step S7, based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 between the mobile terminal side second communication unit 22 and the vending machine side second communication unit 12, the distance L1 between the mobile terminal 20 and the vending machine 10 is obtained by the mobile terminal side control unit 23. If the distance L1 between the mobile terminal 20 and the vending machine 10 based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is equal to or less than the first threshold value T1 (Yes in step S7), the process proceeds to step S8.

[0061] In step S8, the mobile terminal side control unit 23 transmits an unlocking instruction signal to the vending machine side first communication unit 11 via the mobile terminal side first communication unit 21.

[0062] In step S9, based on the authentication result that the mobile terminal 20 has the unlocking permission for the electric locking mechanism 13 of the vending machine 10 and the unlocking instruction signal transmitted from the mobile terminal side first communication unit 21, the vending machine side control unit 15 unlocks the front door 16 via the electric locking mechanism 13.

[0063] In step S10, the front door opening / closing detection unit 14 detects the open state of the front door 16.

[0064] In step S11, the vending machine side control unit 15 transmits an open state signal to the mobile terminal side first communication unit 21 via the vending machine side first communication unit 11.

[0065] In step S12, when the front door opening / closing detection unit 14 detects that the front door 16 is in the closed state (Yes in step S12), the process proceeds to step S13.

[0066] In step S13, the vending machine side control unit 15 transmits a closed state signal to the mobile terminal side first communication unit 21 via the vending machine side first communication unit 11.

[0067] In step S14, based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 between the mobile terminal side second communication unit 22 and the vending machine side second communication unit 12 by the mobile terminal side control unit 23, the distance L1 between the mobile terminal 20 and the vending machine 10 is acquired. When the distance L1 between the mobile terminal 20 and the vending machine 10 based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is greater than the first threshold value T1 (Yes in step S14), the process proceeds to step S15.

[0068] In step S15, the mobile terminal side control unit 23 transmits a locking instruction signal to the vending machine side first communication unit 11 via the mobile terminal side first communication unit 21.

[0069] In step S16, based on the locking instruction signal transmitted from the mobile terminal side first communication unit 21, the vending machine side control unit 15 locks the front door 16 via the electric locking mechanism 13.

[0070] (Effect of the First Embodiment) In the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0071] In the first embodiment, as described above, based on the authentication result of the mobile terminal 20 by the vending machine 10 via the first short-range wireless communication 1 and the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 being equal to or less than the first threshold value T1, the front door 16 provided on the front surface of the vending machine 10 is configured to be unlocked. Thus, even if the mobile terminal 20 is authenticated by the vending machine 10 via the first short-range wireless communication 1, if the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is not equal to or less than the first threshold value T1, the front door 16 of the vending machine 10 is not unlocked, and when the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is equal to or less than the first threshold value T1, the front door 16 of the vending machine 10 is unlocked. Therefore, the front door 16 of the vending machine 10 can be unlocked when the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 are positioned at an appropriate distance.

[0072] Also, in the first embodiment, as described above, the mobile terminal 20 is configured to measure the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 based on the fact that the mobile terminal 20 has been authenticated by the vending machine 10 via the first short-range wireless communication 1. Thus, after the mobile terminal 20 has been authenticated by the vending machine 10, the measurement of the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 can be started, so that the processing load by the second short-range wireless communication 2 can be reduced and the power consumption can be suppressed.

[0073] Also, in the first embodiment, as described above, after the front door 16 of the vending machine 10 is unlocked, based on the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 based on the second short-range wireless communication 2, the front door 16 of the vending machine 10 is configured to be locked. Thus, since the front door 16 of the vending machine 10 is locked based on the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 based on the second short-range wireless communication 2, the operator carrying the mobile terminal 20 only needs to move away from the vending machine 10 for the front door 16 of the vending machine 10 to be automatically locked. Therefore, the work load of the operator can be reduced.

[0074] Also, in the first embodiment, as described above, the vending machine 10 includes a vending machine side first communication unit 11 that communicates via the first short-range wireless communication 1, and a vending machine side second communication unit 12 that communicates via a second short-range wireless communication 2, which is a communication method different from the first short-range wireless communication 1. The mobile terminal 20 includes a mobile terminal side first communication unit 21 that communicates via the first short-range wireless communication 1, and a mobile terminal side second communication unit 22 that communicates via the second short-range wireless communication 2. Thus, since the second short-range wireless communication 2 is performed by a communication method different from the first short-range wireless communication 1, the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 can be accurately measured by a short-range wireless communication suitable for distance measurement as the second short-range wireless communication 2.

[0075] Also, in the first embodiment, as described above, the communication distance of the second short-range wireless communication 2 is smaller than the communication distance of the first short-range wireless communication 1. Thus, at the position where the mobile terminal 20 is authenticated by the vending machine 10 via the first short-range wireless communication 1, the second short-range wireless communication 2 is not performed, and at the position of the communication distance of the second short-range wireless communication 2 that is smaller than the communication distance of the first short-range wireless communication 1, communication between the vending machine side second communication unit 12 and the mobile terminal side second communication unit 22 is performed via the second short-range wireless communication 2. Therefore, when the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 are positioned at a more appropriate distance, the front door 16 of the vending machine 10 can be unlocked.

[0076] [Second Embodiment] Next, with reference to FIGS. 5 to 10, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the vending machine system 110 in the second embodiment, different from the first embodiment, an example will be described in which the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 further include an instrument 30 provided with an instrument side communication unit 31 that performs the second short-range wireless communication 2. For the same configuration as in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and the description thereof is omitted.

[0077] (Configuration of the Instrument) As shown in FIG. 5, the instrument 30 is configured to be capable of performing the second short-range wireless communication 2 with each of the plurality of vending machines 10 and the mobile terminal 20. The instrument 30 is configured to manage the vending machine 10 and be carried by an operator who uses the mobile terminal 20. The instrument 30 is configured to be separately used by an operator who uses the mobile terminal 20. In the second embodiment, the instrument 30 is, for example, a cart 32 for transporting products stored in the vending machine 10. Note that the instrument 30 is not limited to the cart 32, and may be, for example, a carrying basket 33 for transporting products stored in the vending machine 10, or another instrument 30 that is separately used by an operator who uses the mobile terminal 20.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 6, the instrument 30 is provided with an instrument-side communication unit 31. The instrument-side communication unit 31 is configured to perform the second short-range wireless communication 2 with each of the vending machine-side second communication unit 12 and the mobile terminal-side second communication unit 22. The instrument-side communication unit 31 includes a power source (not shown). The power source supplies power to the instrument-side communication unit 31. The power source is, for example, a battery. In the second embodiment, the instrument-side communication unit 31 is attached to the handle portion of the cart 32. Note that the attachment position of the instrument-side communication unit 31 is not limited to the handle portion of the cart 32, and it may be attached to a predetermined portion other than the handle portion of the cart 32.

[0079] The instrument-side communication unit 31 performs the second short-range wireless communication 2 with the vending machine-side second communication unit 12 by UWB communication, and performs the second short-range wireless communication 2 with the mobile terminal-side second communication unit 22 by UWB communication. The instrument-side communication unit 31 transmits a pulse signal. The vending machine-side second communication unit 12 receives the pulse signal transmitted from the instrument-side communication unit 31 and measures the time from signal transmission to reception, whereby the distance L2 between the vending machine 10 and the instrument 30 is obtained by the vending machine-side control unit 15. Also, the mobile terminal-side second communication unit 22 receives the pulse signal transmitted from the instrument-side communication unit 31 and measures the time from signal transmission to reception, whereby the distance L3 between the mobile terminal 20 and the instrument 30 is obtained by the mobile terminal-side control unit 23.

[0080] (Configuration of Vending Machine) The second communication unit 12 on the vending machine side is configured to perform the second short-range wireless communication 2 with each of the second communication unit 22 on the mobile terminal side and the communication unit 31 on the appliance side. The second communication unit 12 on the vending machine side performs the second short-range wireless communication 2 with the second communication unit 22 on the mobile terminal side by UWB communication. When the second communication unit 12 on the vending machine side receives the pulse signal transmitted from the second communication unit 22 on the mobile terminal side and measures the time from signal transmission to reception, the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 is obtained by the control unit 15 on the vending machine side.

[0081] Also, the second communication unit 12 on the vending machine side performs the second short-range wireless communication 2 with the communication unit 31 on the appliance side by UWB communication. When the second communication unit 12 on the vending machine side receives the pulse signal transmitted from the communication unit 31 on the appliance side and measures the time from signal transmission to reception, the distance L2 between the vending machine 10 and the appliance 30 is obtained by the control unit 15 on the vending machine side.

[0082] When the distance L3 between the appliance 30 and the mobile terminal 20 measured by the control unit 23 on the mobile terminal side based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is equal to or less than the third threshold value T3 which is greater than the first threshold value T1, the first communication unit 11 on the vending machine side receives the signal transmitted by the first communication unit 21 on the mobile terminal side indicating that the distance L3 between the appliance 30 and the mobile terminal 20 is equal to or less than the third threshold value T3.

[0083] The vending machine side control unit 15 is configured to unlock the front door 16 of the vending machine 10 based on the authentication result for the mobile terminal 20 via the first short-range wireless communication 1, the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 based on the second short-range wireless communication 2, the distance L2 between the appliance 30 and the vending machine 10 based on the second short-range wireless communication 2, and the distance L3 between the appliance 30 and the mobile terminal 20 based on the second short-range wireless communication 2. Note that both the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 and the distance L2 between the appliance 30 and the vending machine 10 are distances on the front side of the vending machine 10. However, the distance L1 and the distance L2 are not limited to the distances on the front side of the vending machine 10 and may include distances on the rear side of the vending machine 10.

[0084] Specifically, the vending machine side control unit 15 is configured to unlock the front door 16 of the vending machine 10 based on all of the following conditions being satisfied: the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 measured based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is equal to or less than a first threshold value T1, the distance L2 between the appliance 30 and the vending machine 10 measured based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is greater than the first threshold value T1 and equal to or less than a second threshold value T2, and the distance L3 between the appliance 30 and the mobile terminal 20 measured by the mobile terminal side control unit 23 based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is greater than the first threshold value T1 and equal to or less than a third threshold value T3.

[0085] In the second embodiment, the first threshold value T1 is, for example, 100 cm, the second threshold value T2 is, for example, 200 cm, and the third threshold value T3 is, for example, 200 cm. That is, the vending machine side control unit 15 is configured to unlock the front door 16 of the vending machine 10 based on that the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 measured based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is 100 cm or less, the distance L2 between the appliance 30 and the vending machine 10 measured based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is 200 cm or less, and the distance L3 between the appliance 30 and the mobile terminal 20 measured based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is 200 cm or less. Note that each of the first threshold value T1, the second threshold value T2, and the third threshold value T3 is not limited to the above values.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 7, when the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 measured based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is equal to or less than the first threshold value T1, the distance L2 between the appliance 30 and the vending machine 10 measured based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is greater than the first threshold value T1 and equal to or less than the second threshold value T2, and the distance L3 between the appliance 30 and the mobile terminal 20 measured by the mobile terminal side control unit 23 based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is greater than the first threshold value T1 and equal to or less than the third threshold value T3, and the mobile terminal 20 is authenticated by the vending machine side control unit 15 via the first short-range wireless communication 1, the front door 16 is unlocked.

[0087] Further, after the front door 16 of the vending machine 10 is unlocked, the vending machine side control unit 15 is configured to lock the front door 16 of the vending machine 10 by the electric lock mechanism 13 based on any one of the following conditions: the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 measured based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is equal to or greater than a fourth threshold value T4 that is greater than the first threshold value T1, the distance L2 between the appliance 30 and the vending machine 10 measured based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is greater than the second threshold value T2, and the distance L3 between the appliance 30 and the mobile terminal 20 measured based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is greater than the third threshold value T3.

[0088] In the second embodiment, the fourth threshold value T4 is, for example, 200 cm. That is, after the front door 16 of the vending machine 10 is unlocked, the vending machine side control unit 15 determines that the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 measured based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is 200 cm or more, the distance L2 between the appliance 30 and the vending machine 10 measured based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is greater than 200 cm, and the distance L3 between the appliance 30 and the mobile terminal 20 measured based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is greater than 200 cm. Based on any one of these conditions being satisfied, the front door 16 of the vending machine 10 is configured to be locked. Note that the fourth threshold value T4 is not limited to the above value. Also, the second threshold value T2, the third threshold value T3, and the fourth threshold value T4 may be the same as each other or different from each other.

[0089] That is, as shown in FIG. 8(a), based on the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 measured based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 being equal to or greater than the fourth threshold value T4, which is greater than the first threshold value T1, the front door 16 is locked. Also, as shown in FIG. 8(b), based on the distance L2 between the appliance 30 and the vending machine 10 measured based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 being greater than the second threshold value T2, the front door 16 is locked. Further, as shown in FIG. 8(c), based on the distance L3 between the appliance 30 and the mobile terminal 20 measured based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 being greater than the third threshold value T3, the front door 16 is locked.

[0090] (Configuration of the mobile terminal) The mobile terminal side second communication unit 22 is configured to perform the second short-range wireless communication 2 with each of the vending machine side second communication unit 12 and the appliance side communication unit 31. The mobile terminal side second communication unit 22 performs the second short-range wireless communication 2 with the vending machine side second communication unit 12 by UWB communication. The mobile terminal side second communication unit 22 transmits a pulse signal.

[0091] In addition, the mobile terminal side second communication unit 22 performs second short-range wireless communication 2 with the appliance side communication unit 31 via UWB communication. The mobile terminal side control unit 23 measures the time from the transmission to the reception of the pulse signal transmitted from the appliance side communication unit 31 and received by the second communication unit of the mobile terminal 20, thereby obtaining the distance L3 between the mobile terminal 20 and the appliance 30.

[0092] When the distance L3 between the appliance 30 and the mobile terminal 20 measured based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is equal to or less than the third threshold value T3, the mobile terminal side control unit 23 causes the mobile terminal side first communication unit 21 to transmit a signal indicating that the distance L3 between the appliance 30 and the mobile terminal 20 is equal to or less than the third threshold value T3 to the vending machine side first communication unit 11.

[0093] (Authentication of Mobile Terminal by Vending Machine and Unlocking of Electric Lock Mechanism) Hereinafter, authentication of the mobile terminal 20 by the vending machine 10 and unlocking and locking of the electric lock mechanism 13 will be described.

[0094] When the mobile terminal side first communication unit 21 of the mobile terminal 20 that has acquired key information via the management server 3 receives the BLE beacon of the first short-range wireless communication 1 from any vending machine 10 to be managed, it transmits a connection request signal to the vending machine side first communication unit 11 to establish a communication connection with the vending machine side first communication unit 11.

[0095] The vending machine side control unit 15 starts the second short-range wireless communication 2 between the vending machine side second communication unit 12 and the appliance side communication unit 31. Then, the vending machine side control unit 15 measures the time from the transmission to the reception of the pulse signal transmitted from the appliance side communication unit 31 to obtain the distance L2 between the vending machine 10 and the appliance 30.

[0096] The vending machine side control unit 15 starts the second short-range wireless communication 2 between the vending machine side second communication unit 12 and the mobile terminal side second communication unit 22. Then, the vending machine side control unit 15 measures the time from the transmission to the reception of the pulse signal transmitted from the mobile terminal side second communication unit 22, thereby obtaining the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20.

[0097] The mobile terminal side control unit 23 starts the second short-range wireless communication 2 between the mobile terminal side second communication unit 22 and the device side communication unit 31. The mobile terminal side control unit 23 measures the time from the transmission to the reception of the pulse signal transmitted from the device side communication unit 31, thereby obtaining the distance L3 between the mobile terminal 20 and the device 30. When the distance L3 between the mobile terminal 20 and the device 30 measured based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is equal to or less than the third threshold value T3, the mobile terminal side control unit 23 causes the mobile terminal side first communication unit 21 to transmit a signal to the vending machine side first communication unit 11 indicating that the distance L3 between the device 30 and the mobile terminal 20 is equal to or less than the third threshold value T3.

[0098] The vending machine side control unit 15 is configured to authenticate the mobile terminal 20 when the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 measured based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is equal to or less than the first threshold value T1, the distance L2 between the vending machine 10 and the device 30 measured based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is equal to or less than the second threshold value T2, and the distance L3 between the mobile terminal 20 and the device 30 measured by the mobile terminal side control unit 23 based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is equal to or less than the third threshold value T3.

[0099] The vending machine side control unit 15 determines whether the mobile terminal 20 has the unlocking authority for the electric lock mechanism 13 of the vending machine 10 through the authentication of the mobile terminal 20. Specifically, the vending machine side control unit 15 obtains information such as the vending machine 10 ID, the mobile terminal 20 ID, the operator ID, the key information, and the expiration date of the key information from the mobile terminal side first communication unit 21 through the vending machine side first communication unit 11, and determines whether the mobile terminal 20 has the unlocking authority for the electric lock mechanism 13 of the vending machine 10 by collating this information.

[0100] And when the vending machine side control unit 15 determines that the mobile terminal 20 has the unlocking authority for the electric lock mechanism 13 of the vending machine 10, the front door 16 is unlocked by the electric lock mechanism 13. Further, when the vending machine side control unit 15 determines that the mobile terminal 20 is not the mobile terminal 20 having the unlocking authority for the electric lock mechanism 13 of the vending machine 10, the front door 16 is not unlocked by the electric lock mechanism 13.

[0101] (Locking of the electric lock mechanism) When the distance L3 between the mobile terminal 20 and the appliance 30 measured based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is greater than the third threshold value T3, the mobile terminal side first communication unit 21 causes the vending machine side first communication unit 11 to transmit a signal indicating that the distance L3 between the appliance 30 and the mobile terminal 20 is greater than the third threshold value T3.

[0102] After the front door 16 of the vending machine 10 is unlocked, the vending machine side control unit 15 is configured such that, based on any one of the following conditions: the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 measured based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is greater than or equal to a fourth threshold value T4 that is greater than the first threshold value T1; the distance L2 between the appliance 30 and the vending machine 10 measured based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is greater than the second threshold value T2; and the distance L3 between the appliance 30 and the mobile terminal 20 measured by the mobile terminal side control unit 23 based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is greater than the third threshold value T3, the front door 16 of the vending machine 10 is locked by the electric lock mechanism 13.

[0103] (Control of unlocking of the electric lock mechanism by the vending machine side control unit) Referring to FIG. 9, the control of unlocking of the electric lock mechanism 13 by the vending machine side control unit 15 according to the second embodiment will be described. Note that the order of the processing steps can be interchanged or executed simultaneously as long as there is no contradiction.

[0104] In step S21, the BLE beacon transmitted from the first communication unit 11 on the vending machine side is received by the first communication unit 21 on the mobile terminal side. After that, the process proceeds to step S22.

[0105] In step S22, the second short-range wireless communication 2 is started between the second communication unit 12 on the vending machine side and the device-side communication unit 31, and based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 between the second communication unit 12 on the vending machine side and the device-side communication unit 31, the distance L2 between the vending machine 10 and the device 30 is acquired by the control unit 15 on the vending machine side. After that, the process proceeds to step S23.

[0106] In step S23, when the distance L2 between the vending machine 10 and the device 30 based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is equal to or less than the second threshold value T2 (Yes in step S23), the process proceeds to step S23. When the distance L2 between the vending machine 10 and the device 30 based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is not equal to or less than the second threshold value T2 (No in step S23), the process proceeds to step S22.

[0107] In step S24, the second short-range wireless communication 2 is started between the first communication unit 11 on the vending machine side and the second communication unit 22 on the mobile terminal side, and based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 between the second communication unit 12 on the vending machine side and the second communication unit 22 on the mobile terminal side, the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 is acquired by the control unit 15 on the vending machine side. After that, the process proceeds to step S25.

[0108] In step S25, when the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is equal to or less than the first threshold value T1 (Yes in step S25), the process proceeds to step S26. When the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is not equal to or less than the first threshold value T1 (No in step S25), the process proceeds to step S22.

[0109] In step S26, when a signal indicating that the distance L3 between the mobile terminal 20 and the appliance 30 measured based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is less than or equal to the third threshold value T3 is received by the vending machine side first communication unit 11 from the mobile terminal side first communication unit 21 (Yes in step S26), the process proceeds to step S27. When a signal indicating that the distance L3 between the mobile terminal 20 and the appliance 30 measured based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is less than or equal to the third threshold value T3 is not received by the vending machine side first communication unit 11 from the mobile terminal side first communication unit 21 (No in step S26), the process proceeds to step S22.

[0110] In step S27, it is determined whether the mobile terminal 20 has the unlocking authority for the electric lock mechanism 13 of the vending machine 10 through authentication of the mobile terminal 20 by the vending machine side control unit 15. When it is determined that the mobile terminal 20 is a mobile terminal 20 having the unlocking authority for the electric lock mechanism 13 of the vending machine 10 (Yes in step S27), the process proceeds to step S28. When it is determined that the mobile terminal 20 is not a mobile terminal 20 having the unlocking authority for the electric lock mechanism 13 of the vending machine 10 (No in step S27), the process proceeds to step S22.

[0111] In step S28, the front door 16 is unlocked through the electric lock mechanism 13 by the vending machine side control unit 15. Then, the process ends.

[0112] (Control of locking of the electric lock mechanism by the vending machine side control unit) Referring to FIG. 10, the control of locking of the electric lock mechanism 13 by the vending machine side control unit 15 after the front door 16 of the vending machine 10 is unlocked according to the second embodiment will be described. Note that the order of the processing steps can be changed before and after, executed simultaneously, or executed independently as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0113] In step S31, when the distance L2 between the vending machine 10 and the appliance 30 measured based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is greater than the second threshold value T2 (Yes in step S31), the process proceeds to step S34. When the distance L2 between the vending machine 10 and the appliance 30 measured based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is not greater than the second threshold value T2 (No in step S31), the process proceeds to step S32.

[0114] In step S32, when the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 measured based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is greater than the fourth threshold value T4 (Yes in step S32), the process proceeds to step S34. When the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 measured based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is not greater than the fourth threshold value T4 (No in step S32), the process proceeds to step S33.

[0115] In step S33, when a signal indicating that the distance L3 between the mobile terminal 20 and the appliance 30 measured based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is greater than the third threshold value T3 is received by the first communication unit 11 on the vending machine side from the first communication unit 21 on the mobile terminal side (Yes in step S33), the process proceeds to step S34. When a signal indicating that the distance L3 between the mobile terminal 20 and the appliance 30 measured based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 is greater than the third threshold value T3 is not received by the first communication unit 11 on the vending machine side from the first communication unit 21 on the mobile terminal side (No in step S33), the process proceeds to step S31.

[0116] In step S34, the front door 16 is locked by the vending machine side control unit 15 via the electric lock mechanism 13. Thereafter, the process ends.

[0117] Other configurations of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment described above.

[0118] (Effect of the Second Embodiment) In the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0119] In the second embodiment, as described above, an instrument 30 that is separately used by an operator who uses the mobile terminal 20 and that is provided with an instrument-side communication unit 31 that performs second short-range wireless communication 2 with the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 is further provided. Based on the result of authentication of the mobile terminal 20 by the vending machine 10 via the first short-range wireless communication 1, the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 based on the second short-range wireless communication 2, the distance L2 between the instrument 30 and the vending machine 10 based on the second short-range wireless communication 2, and the distance L3 between the instrument 30 and the mobile terminal 20 based on the second short-range wireless communication 2, the front door 16 of the vending machine 10 is configured to be unlocked. As a result, not only the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20, but also the distance L2 between the instrument 30 separately used by the operator who uses the mobile terminal 20 and the vending machine 10, and the distance L3 between the instrument 30 and the mobile terminal 20 are considered, so that the front door 16 of the vending machine 10 is unlocked. Therefore, even when the operator loses the mobile terminal 20 or the operator's mobile terminal 20 is stolen, it is possible to prevent the front door 16 of the vending machine 10 from being unlocked only by the lost or stolen mobile terminal 20. Therefore, the security for unlocking the front door 16 of the vending machine 10 can be improved.

[0120] Also, in the second embodiment, as described above, based on the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 measured based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 being equal to or less than the first threshold value T1, the distance L2 between the appliance 30 and the vending machine 10 measured based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 being greater than the first threshold value T1 and equal to or less than the second threshold value T2, and the distance L3 between the appliance 30 and the mobile terminal 20 measured based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 being greater than the first threshold value T1 and equal to or less than the third threshold value T3, the front door 16 of the vending machine 10 is configured to be unlocked. Thereby, when unlocking the front door 16 of the vending machine 10, if the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 carried by the operator is smaller than the distance L2 between the appliance 30 and the vending machine 10 and the distance L3 between the appliance 30 and the mobile terminal 20, the front door 16 of the vending machine 10 is unlocked. Therefore, based on the proximity of the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20, the front door 16 of the vending machine 10 can be reliably unlocked, and the security for unlocking the front door 16 of the vending machine 10 can be further improved.

[0121] Also, in the second embodiment, as described above, after the front door 16 of the vending machine 10 is unlocked, based on the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 measured based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 being equal to or greater than the fourth threshold value T4 which is greater than the first threshold value T1, the front door 16 of the vending machine 10 is configured to be locked. Thereby, by locking the front door 16 of the vending machine 10 based on the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 measured based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 being equal to or greater than the fourth threshold value T4 which is greater than the first threshold value T1 at the time of unlocking the front door 16 of the vending machine 10, when the operator carrying the mobile terminal 20 moves away to the outside of the working area for the vending machine 10, the front door 16 of the vending machine 10 can be automatically locked.

[0122] Note that other effects of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment described above.

[0123] [Third Embodiment] Next, with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the vending machine system 120 according to the third embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, based on the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 being equal to or less than the first threshold value T1 and a predetermined operation on the vending machine 10 being received, an example is described in which the front door 16 of the vending machine 10 is configured to be unlocked. For the same configurations as those in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and the description thereof is omitted.

[0124] (Configuration of Vending Machine) As shown in FIG. 12, the vending machine 10 includes a vending machine side first communication unit 11, a vending machine side second communication unit 12, an electric lock mechanism 13, a front door opening / closing detection unit 14, a vending machine side control unit 15, a product selection unit 17, and a money refund unit 18.

[0125] The product selection unit 17 is operated by a user of the vending machine 10 to select a product from the vending machine 10. For example, the product selection unit 17 includes a product selection button 17a (see FIG. 11) for selecting a product sold by the vending machine 10. The product selection unit 17 is provided on the front door 16 (see FIG. 11). The product selection unit 17 may include a touch panel that displays the product selection button 17a and receives a selection.

[0126] The money refund unit 18 is operated by a user of the vending machine 10 to refund the inserted money due to the interruption of the transaction. For example, the money refund unit 18 includes a refund lever 18a for money refund (see FIG. 11). The money refund unit 18 is provided on the front door 16 (see FIG. 11).

[0127] The vending machine side control unit 15 is configured to unlock the front door 16 based on the authentication result for the mobile terminal 20 via the first short-range wireless communication 1, the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 being equal to or less than the first threshold value T1 based on the second short-range wireless communication 2, and a predetermined operation on the vending machine 10 being received.

[0128] In the third embodiment, the predetermined operation on the vending machine 10 is an operation by an operator on the product selection button 17a of the vending machine 10. That is, the vending machine side control unit 15 is configured to unlock the front door 16 of the vending machine 10 based on receiving an operation on the product selection button 17a provided on the vending machine 10 as a predetermined operation on the vending machine 10.

[0129] Note that the predetermined operation on the vending machine 10 is not limited to an operation by an operator on the product selection button 17a of the vending machine 10. For example, the predetermined operation on the vending machine 10 may be an operation by an operator on the return lever 18a of the vending machine 10. Also, for example, the predetermined operation on the vending machine 10 may be both an operation by an operator on the product selection button 17a of the vending machine 10 and an operation by an operator on the return lever 18a of the vending machine 10. In this case, the front door 16 of the vending machine 10 may be configured to be unlocked when both an operation by an operator on the product selection button 17a of the vending machine 10 and an operation by an operator on the return lever 18a of the vending machine 10 are received simultaneously, or the front door 16 of the vending machine 10 may be configured to be unlocked when received in a predetermined order. Also, for example, the predetermined operation on the vending machine 10 may be a long-press operation by an operator on the product selection button 17a of the vending machine 10 for a predetermined time or longer.

[0130] (Control of unlocking and locking of the electric lock mechanism of the vending machine) With reference to FIG. 13, the control of unlocking and locking of the electric lock mechanism 13 of the vending machine 10 according to the third embodiment will be described.

[0131] Steps S1 to S8 are the same as the control of unlocking and locking of the electric lock mechanism 13 of the vending machine 10 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4, and thus the description here is omitted.

[0132] In step S41, when an operation of the product selection button 17a provided on the vending machine 10 is received (Yes in step S41), the process proceeds to step 9.

[0133] In step S9, based on the authentication result that the mobile terminal 20 has the unlocking authority for the electric lock mechanism 13 of the vending machine 10, the unlocking instruction signal transmitted from the first communication unit 21 on the mobile terminal side, and the reception of the operation of the product selection button 17a, the front door 16 is unlocked via the electric lock mechanism 13 by the control unit 15 on the vending machine side.

[0134] Steps S10 to S16 are the same as the control for unlocking and locking the electric lock mechanism 13 of the vending machine 10 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4, and thus the description here is omitted.

[0135] Other configurations of the third embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0136] (Effect of the Third Embodiment) In the third embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0137] In the third embodiment, as described above, based on the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 measured based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 being equal to or less than the first threshold value T1 and a predetermined operation on the vending machine 10 being received, the front door 16 of the vending machine 10 is configured to be unlocked. Thereby, not only the distance L1 between the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 20 measured based on the second short-range wireless communication 2 but also the front door 16 of the vending machine 10 can be unlocked based on a simple predetermined operation on the vending machine 10. Therefore, the security for unlocking the front door 16 of the vending machine 10 can be further improved.

[0138] Also, in the third embodiment, as described above, based on the fact that an operation of the product selection button 17a for selecting a product to be sold provided on the vending machine 10, which is a predetermined operation for the vending machine 10, is received, the front door 16 of the vending machine 10 is configured to be unlocked. Thereby, based on a simple operation such as an operation of the product selection button 17a or an operation of the return lever 18a, which is a predetermined operation for the vending machine 10, the front door 16 of the vending machine 10 can be unlocked.

[0139] Note that other effects of the third embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment described above.

[0140] (Modification example) It should be considered that the embodiments disclosed this time are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the description of the above embodiments but by the claims, and further includes all changes (modification examples) within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0141] For example, in the first and third embodiments described above, an example is shown in which the second communication unit on the portable terminal side receives a pulse signal transmitted from the second communication unit on the vending machine side and measures the time from signal transmission to reception, whereby the distance between the vending machine and the portable terminal is acquired by the control unit on the portable terminal side. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the second communication unit on the vending machine side may be configured to receive a pulse signal transmitted from the second communication unit on the portable terminal side and measure the time from signal transmission to reception, whereby the distance between the vending machine and the portable terminal is acquired by the control unit on the vending machine side.

[0142] In the second embodiment, the vending machine side second communication unit receives the pulse signal transmitted from the mobile terminal side second communication unit and measures the time from signal transmission to reception, and the distance between the vending machine and the mobile terminal is obtained by the vending machine side control unit. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the mobile terminal side second communication unit may be configured to receive the pulse signal transmitted from the vending machine side second communication unit and measure the time from signal transmission to reception, and the distance between the vending machine and the mobile terminal is obtained by the mobile terminal side control unit.

[0143] In this case, the vending machine side first communication unit may be configured to receive a signal transmitted by the mobile terminal side first communication unit indicating that the distance between the vending machine and the mobile terminal measured based on the second short-range wireless communication is equal to or less than the first threshold value when the distance between the vending machine and the mobile terminal measured based on the second short-range wireless communication is equal to or less than the first threshold value.

[0144] In the second embodiment, the vending machine side second communication unit receives the pulse signal transmitted from the device side communication unit and measures the time from signal transmission to reception, and the distance between the vending machine and the device is obtained by the vending machine side control unit. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the device side communication unit may be configured to receive the pulse signal transmitted from the vending machine side second communication unit and measure the time from signal transmission to reception, and the distance between the vending machine and the mobile terminal is obtained by the device side control unit included in the device.

[0145] In this case, the vending machine side first communication unit may be configured to receive a signal transmitted by the device side communication unit indicating that the distance between the vending machine and the device measured based on the second short-range wireless communication is equal to or less than the second threshold value when the distance between the vending machine and the device measured based on the second short-range wireless communication is equal to or less than the second threshold value.

[0146] In the first and third embodiments described above, when the distance between the vending machine based on the second short-range wireless communication and the mobile terminal is greater than the first threshold, the mobile terminal side control unit causes the first communication unit on the vending machine side to transmit a locking instruction signal through the first communication unit on the mobile terminal side. Also, the vending machine side control unit locks the front door with an electric locking mechanism based on the locking instruction signal transmitted from the first communication unit on the mobile terminal side. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the distance between the vending machine based on the second short-range wireless communication and the mobile terminal is greater than the first threshold and equal to or greater than a fourth threshold, the mobile terminal side control unit causes the first communication unit on the vending machine side to transmit a locking instruction signal through the first communication unit on the mobile terminal side. Also, the vending machine side control unit may be configured to lock the front door with an electric locking mechanism based on the locking instruction signal transmitted from the first communication unit on the mobile terminal side.

[0147] In the second embodiment described above, an example is shown in which the front door of the vending machine is locked based on the fact that the distance between the vending machine and the mobile terminal measured based on the second short-range wireless communication is equal to or greater than a fourth threshold that is greater than the first threshold. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the front door of the vending machine may be configured to be locked based on the fact that the distance between the vending machine and the mobile terminal measured based on the second short-range wireless communication is equal to or greater than the first threshold.

[0148] In the first and third embodiments described above, an example is shown in which the mobile terminal side control unit measures the distance between the vending machine and the mobile terminal based on the second short-range wireless communication based on the fact that the mobile terminal has been authenticated by the vending machine via the first short-range wireless communication. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, after communication using the first short-range wireless communication is started between the vending machine and the mobile terminal, the mobile terminal is authenticated by the vending machine via the first short-range wireless communication, and the distance between the vending machine and the mobile terminal is measured by the mobile terminal side control unit based on the second short-range wireless communication.

[0149] Also, in the above-described first to third embodiments, an example is shown in which after the front door of the vending machine is unlocked, the front door of the vending machine is locked based on, for example, the distance between the vending machine based on the second short-range wireless communication and the mobile terminal. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the front door of the vending machine may be configured to be locked by a key operation (operation using a physical key) on a keyhole provided in the vending machine.

[0150] Also, in the above-described first to third embodiments, an example is shown in which the first short-range wireless communication and the second short-range wireless communication are different communication methods from each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first short-range wireless communication and the second short-range wireless communication may be configured by the same communication method.

[0151] Also, in the above-described first to third embodiments, an example is shown in which the communication distance of the second short-range wireless communication is smaller than the communication distance of the first short-range wireless communication. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the communication distance of the second short-range wireless communication may be equal to the communication distance of the first short-range wireless communication, or the communication distance of the second short-range wireless communication may be configured to be larger than the communication distance of the first short-range wireless communication.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0152] 1 First short-range wireless communication (authentication short-range wireless communication) 2 Second short-range wireless communication (distance measurement short-range wireless communication) 10 Vending machine 11 First communication unit on the vending machine side 12 Second communication unit on the vending machine side 15 Control unit on the vending machine side 16 Front door 17a Product selection button 18a Return lever 20 Mobile terminal 21 First communication unit on the mobile terminal side 22 Second communication unit on the mobile terminal side 23 Control unit on the mobile terminal side 30 Appliance 31 Communication unit on the appliance side 100, 110, 120 Vending Machine System Distance between L1 Vending Machine and Mobile Terminal Distance between Appliance and Vending Machine Distance between Appliance and Mobile Terminal T1 First Threshold T2 Second Threshold T3 Third Threshold T4 Fourth Threshold

Claims

1. A vending machine, a mobile terminal capable of performing authentication short-range wireless communication and distance measurement short-range wireless communication with the vending machine, Based on the authentication result of the vending machine for the mobile terminal via the authentication short-range wireless communication and the distance between the vending machine and the mobile terminal based on the distance measurement short-range wireless communication being equal to or less than a first threshold value, a front door provided on the front surface of the vending machine is configured to be unlocked. A vending machine system.

2. The mobile terminal or the vending machine is configured to measure the distance between the vending machine and the mobile terminal based on the distance measurement short-range wireless communication based on the fact that the mobile terminal has been authenticated by the vending machine via the authentication short-range wireless communication. The vending machine system according to Claim 1.

3. After the front door of the vending machine is unlocked, the front door of the vending machine is configured to be locked based on the distance between the vending machine and the mobile terminal based on the distance measurement short-range wireless communication. The vending machine system according to Claim 1.

4. The vending machine includes a vending machine-side first communication unit that communicates via the authentication short-range wireless communication and a vending machine-side second communication unit that communicates via the distance measurement short-range wireless communication, which is a communication method different from the authentication short-range wireless communication. The mobile terminal includes a mobile terminal-side first communication unit that communicates via the authentication short-range wireless communication and a mobile terminal-side second communication unit that communicates via the distance measurement short-range wireless communication. The vending machine system according to Claim 1.

5. The communication distance of the distance measurement short-range wireless communication is smaller than the communication distance of the authentication short-range wireless communication. The vending machine system according to Claim 4.

6. The apparatus is separately used by an operator using the mobile terminal, and further includes an apparatus provided with an instrument-side communication unit that performs the distance measurement short-range wireless communication with the vending machine and the mobile terminal. Based on the result of the authentication of the mobile terminal by the vending machine via the authentication short-range wireless communication, the distance between the vending machine and the mobile terminal based on the distance measurement short-range wireless communication, and the distance between the appliance and the vending machine and the mobile terminal based on the distance measurement short-range wireless communication, the front door of the vending machine is configured to be unlocked. The vending machine system according to claim 1.

7. Based on the distance between the vending machine and the mobile terminal measured based on the distance measurement short-range wireless communication being equal to or less than the first threshold value, the distance between the appliance and the vending machine measured based on the distance measurement short-range wireless communication being equal to or less than a second threshold value greater than the first threshold value, and the distance between the appliance and the mobile terminal measured based on the distance measurement short-range wireless communication being equal to or less than a third threshold value greater than the first threshold value, the front door of the vending machine is configured to be unlocked. The vending machine system according to claim 6.

8. After the front door of the vending machine is unlocked, based on the distance between the vending machine and the mobile terminal measured based on the distance measurement short-range wireless communication being equal to or greater than a fourth threshold value greater than the first threshold value, the front door of the vending machine is configured to be locked. The vending machine system according to claim 3 or 7.

9. Based on the distance between the vending machine and the mobile terminal measured based on the distance measurement short-range wireless communication being equal to or less than the first threshold value, and a predetermined operation on the vending machine being received, the front door of the vending machine is configured to be unlocked. The vending machine system according to claim 1.

10. Based on at least one of an operation of a product selection button for selecting a product to be sold provided on the vending machine and an operation of a return lever for money return provided on the vending machine, which are predetermined operations on the vending machine, being received, the front door of the vending machine is configured to be unlocked. The vending machine system according to claim 9.

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