Vending machine system

Abstract

To provide a vending machine system capable of performing settlement processing of a settlement brand via a settlement server without the necessity of incorporating a settlement brand selection part such as a settlement brand selection button in a vending machine.SOLUTION: A vending machine 1 registers settlement brands, which are dealt with, as registered settlement brands in advance. A portable terminal 4 starts a settlement brand application and connects to and communicates with the vending machine 1. When a merchandise is selected, the vending machine 1 transmits a settlement brand list to the portable terminal 4. The portable terminal 4 transmits a settlement brand, which is selected from the settlement brand list, to the vending machine 1. The vending machine 1 connects to a settlement server which deals with the received settlement brand, acquires a settlement link address, and notifies the portable terminal 4 of the acquired settlement link address. The portable terminal 1 uses the settlement link address to connect to the settlement server, and performs settlement processing on the merchandise together with the settlement server.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vending machine system that can process payment for a payment brand via a payment server without providing a payment brand selection section such as a payment brand selection button on the vending machine. [Background technology]

[0002] As disclosed in Patent Document 1, vending machines that allow the user to select one brand from among the electronic money payment services offered by multiple electronic money brands and then process the payment using the electronic money payment service of the selected brand are becoming common. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-20751 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, recent vending machines are not limited to touch-type electronic money; some allow mobile devices such as smartphones to wirelessly connect to the vending machine, obtain product information and vending machine identification information for the selected product, and make payments via a payment server.

[0005] However, when this vending machine accepts multiple payment brands, in order to select one from among the multiple payment brands, the vending machine must be equipped with multiple physical payment brand selection buttons, multiple payment brand selection buttons on a touch panel LCD display, or a display unit that displays multiple graphic codes such as QR codes (registered trademark) indicating the payment brand. The user must then launch a payment brand app (application software) corresponding to the selected payment brand. Furthermore, with this type of vending machine, the user must press both the product selection button and the payment brand selection button on the vending machine, which requires a large number of touch operations, and this could hinder improvements in infection prevention measures against COVID-19 and other diseases.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide a vending machine system that can perform payment processing for a payment brand via a payment server without having to provide a payment brand selection section such as a payment brand selection button on the vending machine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides a vending machine system comprising: a vending machine that sells products; a payment server that processes payment for the products; and a mobile terminal that is carried by a user who purchases the products and has a payment brand app that controls payment for the products using a payment brand, wherein the vending machine, the payment server, and the mobile terminal are capable of communicating with each other; the vending machine pre-registers the payment brands that it handles as registered payment brands; the mobile terminal launches the payment brand app to connect to and communicate with the vending machine; after the user selects the product, it transmits the payment brand to the vending machine; when the vending machine receives the payment brand, it connects to the payment server that handles the payment brand and obtains a payment link address that is a link destination of the payment server, and notifies the mobile terminal of the obtained payment link address; the mobile terminal connects to the payment server using the payment link address and performs payment processing for the product with the payment server; and the vending machine dispenses the product when the payment processing for the product is completed.

[0008] Further, in the above invention, the present invention further comprises an intermediary server connected between the vending machine and the payment server, which registers a correspondence between the payment brand and the payment server in advance, and which mediates the connection between the vending machine and the payment server corresponding to the payment brand, wherein when the intermediary server receives the payment brand from the vending machine, it determines whether the received payment brand is registered, and if the payment brand is registered, it connects to a payment server that handles the payment brand to obtain a payment link address that is a link destination of the payment server, and notifies the mobile terminal of the obtained payment link address, and if the payment brand is not registered, it searches for a payment server that handles the payment brand and performs an additional registration process to additionally register the searched payment server as a payment server corresponding to the payment brand, and after notifying the vending machine of a registration completion notification of the additionally registered payment brand, it connects to a payment server that handles the payment brand to obtain a payment link address that is a link destination of the payment server, and notifies the mobile terminal of the obtained payment link address, and the vending machine additionally registers the payment brand for which it has received the registration completion notification to the registered payment brands.

[0009] In the present invention, the payment brand app is a single-brand app that controls payments for one payment brand.

[0010] In addition, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the vending machine displays a readable graphic code that is a graphic representation of vending machine identification information that identifies the vending machine, and the mobile terminal reads the graphic code and establishes a communication connection with the vending machine using the vending machine identification information indicated by the graphic code. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, payment processing for a payment brand can be performed via a payment server without providing a payment brand selection section such as a payment brand selection button in the vending machine. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the external configuration of a vending machine and a mobile terminal that constitute a vending machine system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control system of the vending machine system. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the association between payment brands and payment server addresses. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing the payment processing procedure for a payment brand using a mobile terminal in a vending machine system. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display of a payment brand application for selecting a payment brand. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a control system of a vending machine system according to the first modification of this embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram (part 1) showing the payment processing procedure for a payment brand using a mobile terminal in the vending machine system of the first modified example. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram (part 2) showing the payment processing procedure for a payment brand using a mobile terminal in the vending machine system of the first modified example. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a control system of a vending machine system according to the second modification of this embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the association between vending machine identification information and a registered brand list. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing the payment processing procedure for a payment brand using a mobile terminal in the vending machine system of the second modification. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram showing the payment processing procedure for a payment brand using a mobile terminal in the vending machine system of the third modification. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display that guides the user to start a payment brand app for another payment brand. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] <Vending machine configuration> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the external configuration of a vending machine 1 and a mobile terminal 4 that make up a vending machine system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the control system of the vending machine system 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the vending machine system 100 is connected to the vending machine 1, a payment server 2, and a mobile terminal 4 via a network N such as the Internet. The vending machine 1 and the mobile terminal 4 can also be directly connected for communication. The vending machine 1 is an example of a vending machine that sells products such as canned drinks, bottled drinks, and PET bottled drinks, but it may also be a vending machine that sells various products, such as a cup-type vending machine.

[0015] As shown in Figure 1, the vending machine 1 sells products such as canned drinks and bottled drinks in either a cold or warm state, and is equipped with an outer door 1b that closes the front opening of the main cabinet 1a.

[0016] A pop-up handle 111 is provided in the middle of the right side of the front of the outer door 1b. The pop-up handle 111 is used to lock the outer door 1b when it is closed. The vending machine 1 is locked by pushing in the pop-up handle 111 when the outer door 1b is closed, and when an unlocking operation is performed, the pop-up handle 111 pops up (protrudes), allowing the outer door 1b to be opened.

[0017] Additionally, an exhibition room 112 is provided in the upper front area of ​​the outer door 1b. The exhibition room 112 is used to display product samples D of products sold by the vending machine 1. The exhibition room 112 is defined by an inner door that is attached to the rear side of the outer door 1b so that it can be opened and closed, and a transparent illuminated panel 114 that is fitted into the front side of the outer door 1b, allowing users to see the inside of the exhibition room 112 from the front side of the vending machine 1.

[0018] Inside the exhibition room 112, three stages 115 for displaying products are arranged vertically, and product samples D are displayed side by side on each stage 115.

[0019] The product selection buttons 23 are used to select products, and multiple product selection buttons 23 are provided to correspond to the product samples D. Each product selection button 23 can be displayed with an LED, and lights up when it corresponds to a product that can be purchased for the amount inserted. In addition, in the case of cashless payment, the product selection button 23 lights up when the product selection button 23 is pressed.

[0020] In addition, in the middle of the outer door 1b below the exhibition room 112, there are a coin slot 51, a bill slot 53, a display unit 24, a return lever 52, an electronic money reader / writer 36, a graphic code display unit 25, and a payment brand display unit 26.

[0021] The coin slot 51 is an opening for receiving coins. Coins inserted through the coin slot 51 are stored in a coin mechanism (coin processing device) 33 mounted on the inside of the outer door 1b. The coin mechanism 33 organizes the number of coins inserted and sends this information to the vending machine main control unit 10, which will be described later, and dispenses various coins according to commands from the vending machine main control unit 10. The coin mechanism 33 also has a money identification function that identifies the authenticity and denomination of coins.

[0022] The bill insertion slot 53 is an opening for accepting bills. Bills inserted through the bill insertion slot 53 are stored in a bill validator (banknote processing device) 34 mounted on the inside of the outer door 1b. The bill validator 34 counts the number of inserted bills and sends this to the vending machine main control unit 10, and dispenses the bills in accordance with commands from the vending machine main control unit 10. The bill validator 34 has a money identification function that identifies the authenticity and denomination of bills.

[0023] The electronic money reader / writer 36 reads the electronic money loaded onto the electronic money card and writes the electronic money after payment. The electronic money reader / writer 36 also performs a writing process to load the electronic money equivalent to change onto the electronic money card. The electronic money reader / writer 36 has an electronic money identification function that detects the electronic money card and identifies whether the electronic money card is valid or invalid and the type of the electronic money card.

[0024] The display unit 24 is used to display various information such as on sale, out of change, in preparation, bill cancellation, the amount inserted, and information on various settings.

[0025] The return lever 52 is used to indicate the suspension of a transaction. When the return lever 52 is operated, the transaction is suspended, change etc. is released from the coin mechanism 33 to the coin return port 63, and the bill is returned from the bill validator 34 to the bill insertion port 53.

[0026] The graphic code display unit 25 displays a graphic code DD such as a QR code (registered trademark) in a readable manner, which indicates vending machine identification information D12 such as a machine number that identifies the vending machine 1 itself, and is, for example, a sticker on which the graphic code DD is printed. The graphic code DD may be a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark), or a barcode, as long as the information is visualized. Note that the information indicated by the graphic code DD is not limited to the vending machine identification information D12, and may be, for example, the serial number of the communication control unit 20.

[0027] The payment brand display unit 26 displays that smartphone payment of a payment brand is possible via the payment server 2 by wireless connection of the mobile terminal 4, and is, for example, a sticker indicating that smartphone payment is possible. Examples of payment brands include "au PAY (registered trademark)," "PayPay (registered trademark)," and "LINE Pay (registered trademark)."

[0028] Further, below the outer door 1b, there is provided an outlet 62. The outlet 62 is an opening for taking out products that have been carried out from the product storage rack.

[0029] Additionally, a remote control 35 is provided inside the outer door 1b. The remote control 35 is used to perform various setting operations and confirm various sales data, and is equipped with operation keys such as a write key and an end key, as well as a liquid crystal display that displays various setting data and confirmation data. The setting data entered through the remote control 35 is transmitted to the vending machine main control unit 10. The remote control 35 then receives the confirmation data transmitted from the vending machine main control unit 10.

[0030] <Vending machine control system> As shown in Figure 2, the vending machine 1 has a vending machine main control unit 10, which is connected to a communication control unit 20, a main body control unit 30, a refrigeration device 31, a discharge device 32, a coin mechanism 33, a bill validator 34, a remote control 35, an electronic money reader / writer 36, a product selection button 23, and a display unit 24.

[0031] The vending machine main control unit 10 has a sales control unit 11, product information D11, and vending machine identification information D12. The sales control unit 11 dispenses the product selected using the product selection button 23, processes the payment, and so on. During the payment process, the sales control unit 11 identifies the product name and price of the selected product using the product information D11. The vending machine identification information D12 is identification information that identifies the vending machine itself, such as a machine number. The vending machine main control unit 10 notifies and downloads sales data, setting data, and so on to and from a management server (not shown) via the Internet communication unit 22.

[0032] The communication control unit 20 has a control unit 21, an internet communication unit 22, and a short-range wireless communication unit 28. The control unit 21 controls payment using a registered brand list D1 and a payment server address D2. At this time, the control unit 21 obtains product information (product name and price) of the selected product and vending machine identification information D12 from the vending machine main control unit 10. The registered brand list D1 lists payment brands handled by the vending machine 1 and is registered in advance. The payment server address D2 is the address of the payment server 2 that handles the payment brand, and is associated with the payment brand as shown in FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, payment server addresses "a," "b," and "c" are associated with payment brands "A," "B," and "C," respectively. The control unit 21 uses the payment server address D2 to send a payment link address request to the payment server 2 corresponding to the selected payment brand, and obtains the payment link address.

[0033] The communication control unit 20 performs communication connection processing with the mobile terminal 4 and the payment server 2, and in particular executes control processing related to payment processing using the mobile terminal 4. The internet communication unit 22 is a communication interface that connects to the payment server 2 via the network N using a communication method such as LTE (registered trademark). The short-range wireless communication unit 28 is a communication interface that performs short-range wireless communication with the mobile terminal 4. Examples of short-range wireless communication include WiFi (registered trademark) and Bluetooth (registered trademark), but Bluetooth (registered trademark), in particular BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication, is used from the perspective of power consumption.

[0034] The main body control unit 30 is connected to a cooling device 31 and a dispensing device 32. The main body control unit 30 controls the cooling device 31 and the dispensing device 32 under the control of the vending machine main control unit 10.

[0035] The cooling device 31 is used to keep the product storage compartments in the main cabinet in a set state. The cooling device 31 cools the inside of a product storage compartment that has been set to be cooled, and heats the inside of a product storage compartment that has been set to be heated.

[0036] The discharge device 32 manages the bend solenoids and sold-out switches provided for each rack. The main body control unit 30 discharges products from the rack in accordance with a discharge command sent from the vending machine main control unit 10. Furthermore, the discharge device 32 outputs a sold-out signal to the main body control unit 30 when all of the products stored in the rack have been discharged.

[0037] The coin mechanism 33, bill validator 34, remote controller 35, electronic money reader / writer 36, product selection buttons 23 and display unit 24 have been described above, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0038] <Mobile terminal control system> As shown in FIG. 2, the mobile terminal 4 includes an operation / display unit 41, an internet communication unit 42, a near-field wireless communication unit 43, a code reading unit 47, a memory unit 44, and a control unit 45. The operation / display unit 41 is, for example, a touch-panel liquid crystal display device, and is an input / output interface for inputting and displaying various data, such as the operation screen of a payment brand app 46. The internet communication unit 42, like the internet communication unit 22, is a communication interface that connects to the payment server 2 via the network N using a communication method such as LTE (registered trademark). The near-field wireless communication unit 43 is a communication interface that communicates with the vending machine 1 using a communication method such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark). The code reading unit 47 reads the graphic code DD of the vending machine 1 and converts it into data. The memory unit 44 stores user information D40.

[0039] The control unit 45 is a control unit that controls the entire mobile terminal 4, and has a payment brand app 46. The payment brand app 46 controls product payments between the vending machine 1 and the payment server 2, and is a brand-free app that can control payments for multiple payment brands.

[0040] <Payment processing by payment brand using mobile devices> 4 is a sequence diagram showing the payment processing procedure for a payment brand using the mobile terminal 4 in the vending machine system 100. As a premise, the vending machine 1 displays the payment brands it handles on the payment brand display unit 26. In addition, the vending machine 1 has registered the payment brands it handles in advance as registered payment brands in the registered brand list D1.

[0041] First, the mobile terminal 4 launches the payment brand app 46 (step S101). After that, the mobile terminal 4 uses the payment brand app 46 to read the graphic code DD and obtain the machine number, which is the vending machine identification information D12 of the vending machine 1 (step S102). Then, the mobile terminal 4 establishes a short-range wireless communication connection with the vending machine 1 (step S103). This short-range wireless communication connection allows for quick and reliable connection with the vending machine 1 using the machine number.

[0042] On the other hand, after establishing a short-range communication connection, the vending machine 1 receives a product selection (step S104) and transmits the name and price of the selected product and the registered brand list D1 to the mobile terminal 4 (step S105).

[0043] 5, the mobile terminal 4 displays the received product name, price, and registered brand list D1 on the screen E41 of the payment brand application 46. Then, the mobile terminal 4 selects one payment brand from the multiple registered payment brands, and when the Confirm button B1 is pressed (step S106), it transmits the selected payment brand to the vending machine 1 (step S107).

[0044] When the vending machine 1 receives the selected payment brand, it sends a payment link address request including the machine number, item name, and amount to the payment server 2 using the payment server address of the selected payment brand (step S108). Meanwhile, upon receiving the payment link address request, the payment server 2 generates a payment link address (step S109) and sends the generated payment link address to the vending machine 1 (step S110). Then, the vending machine 1 that has received the payment link address sends the payment link address to the mobile terminal 4 (step S111).

[0045] The mobile terminal 4 that has received the payment link address sends a payment request including the item name and amount to the payment server 2 (step S112), and performs payment processing with the payment server 2 (step S113). At this time, the user information D40 of the mobile terminal 4 is used. Thereafter, the payment server 2 sends a payment completion notification to the mobile terminal 4 (step S114).

[0046] Meanwhile, after sending the payment link address to the portable terminal 4, the vending machine 1 polls the payment server 2 (step S115) and determines whether the payment has been completed (step S116). If the payment has not been completed (step S116: No), the vending machine 1 proceeds to step S115 and continues polling. On the other hand, if the payment has been completed (step S116: Yes), the vending machine 1 removes the product for which the payment process has been completed (step S117), and then disconnects the short-range wireless communication with the portable terminal 4 (step S118), terminating this process.

[0047] In this embodiment, the vending machine 1 sends a list of pre-registered registered brands to the mobile terminal 4, and the mobile terminal 4 selects one payment brand from the registered brand list D1 and sends it to the vending machine 1 to determine the payment brand, eliminating the need to provide multiple payment brand selection buttons on the vending machine 1 and eliminating the need to press a payment brand selection button or read a graphic code indicating the payment brand, reducing the number of touch operations on the vending machine 1. Additionally, because the mobile terminal 4 uses a brand-free payment brand app, there is no need to launch the app or perform processing to switch payment brand apps.

[0048] <Variation 1> Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the control system of vending machine system 100 according to Variation 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in Figure 6, in Variation 1, an intermediary server 3 is provided in vending machine system 100 shown in Figure 2, and an intermediary server address D21 is registered in place of payment server address D2 of communication control unit 20. Intermediary server 3 has a registered brand list D31 and a payment server address D32, is connected between vending machine 1 and payment server 2, registers the correspondence between payment brands and payment server 2 in advance, and mediates the connection between vending machine 1 and payment server 2 corresponding to the payment brand.

[0049] <Payment processing by a payment brand using a mobile terminal according to Modification 1> 7 and 8 are sequence diagrams showing the payment processing procedure for a payment brand using a mobile terminal 4 in the vending machine system 100 of Variation 1. As a premise, the vending machine 1 displays a notice on the payment brand display unit 26 that smartphone payment is available. The vending machine 1 also registers the payment brands it handles as registered payment brands in the registered brand list D1 in advance.

[0050] 7, similar to the embodiment, the mobile terminal 4 starts the payment brand app 46 (step S201). After that, the mobile terminal 4 uses the payment brand app 46 to read the graphic code DD and obtain the machine number, which is the vending machine identification information D12 of the vending machine 1 (step S202). Then, the mobile terminal 4 establishes a short-range wireless communication connection with the vending machine 1 (step S203).

[0051] Furthermore, after establishing a short-range communication connection, the vending machine 1 receives a product selection (step S204) and transmits the name and price of the selected product and the registered brand list D1 to the mobile terminal 4 (step S205).

[0052] The mobile terminal 4 displays the received product name, price, and registered brand list D1 on the screen E41 of the payment brand application 46. Then, the mobile terminal 4 selects one payment brand from the multiple registered payment brands, and when the Confirm button B1 is pressed (step S206), it transmits the selected payment brand to the vending machine 1 (step S207).

[0053] In this first modification, when the vending machine 1 receives the selected payment brand, it uses the selected intermediary server address to send a payment link address request including the machine number, product name, price, and payment brand to the intermediary server 3 (step S208). Meanwhile, upon receiving the payment link address request, the intermediary server 3 determines whether the received payment brand is a registered payment brand registered in the registered brand list D31 (step S209). If the received payment brand is not in the registered brand list D31 (step S209: No), the process proceeds to the sequence shown in FIG. 8 via connector A.

[0054] If the received payment brand is in the registered brand list D31 (Step S209: Yes), a payment link address request is sent to the payment server 2 that handles the payment brand (Step S210). The payment server 2 receives the payment link address request, generates a payment link address (Step S211), and sends the generated payment link address to the intermediary server 3 (Step S212). The intermediary server 3 then sends the received payment link address to the vending machine 1 (Step S213). The vending machine 1, mobile terminal 4, and payment server 2 then perform the processes of steps S214 to S221, which correspond to steps S111 to S118, carry out the product removal, and end this process.

[0055] On the other hand, if the received payment brand is not in the registered brand list D31 (step S209: No), as described above, the process proceeds to the sequence shown in FIG. 8 via connector A. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the intermediary server 3 notifies the vending machine 1 of an abnormality notification (the payment brand is an unregistered payment brand) (step S231). The vending machine 1 that receives the abnormality notification sends a payment brand additional registration request for the selected payment brand to the intermediary server 3 (step S232). The intermediary server 3 that receives the payment brand additional registration request searches for a payment server 2 that handles the unregistered payment brand (step S233) and requests the searched payment server 2 to register the unregistered payment brand (step S234). Then, the intermediary server 3 and payment server 2 perform registration processing for the unregistered payment brand (step S235). When the registration process is complete, the intermediary server 3 notifies the vending machine 1 of a registration completion notice (step S236), and also adds the payment brand whose registration has been completed to the registered brand list D31, and adds the payment server address of the payment server 2 associated with this payment brand to the payment server address D32 (step S237).Furthermore, upon receiving the registration completion notice, the vending machine 1 adds the payment brand whose registration has been completed to the registered brand list D1 (step S238).

[0056] Thereafter, the vending machine 1, the mobile terminal 4, the intermediary server 3, and the payment server 2 perform the processes of steps S239 to S250, which correspond to steps S210 to S221 in FIG. 7, and then terminate this process.

[0057] The present first modification provides the same effects as the first embodiment, but the vending machine 1 does not need to register the payment server address, and only needs to register the intermediary server address.

[0058] <Variation 2> FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the control system of vending machine system 100 according to Variation 2 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, in Variation 2, the registered brand list D1 is not registered in vending machine 1 shown in FIG. 2, but rather the registered brand list D31 is registered only in intermediary server 3. Note that in FIG. 9, vending machine identification information D33 is also registered, and the registered brand list D31, payment server address D32, and vending machine identification information D33 are associated with each other. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the registered brand list D31 is associated with each machine number (vending machine identification information D33). This is because different payment brands are set depending on the vending machine, even if the same beverage manufacturer operator is used.

[0059] <Payment processing by a payment brand using a mobile terminal according to Modification 2> FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing the payment processing procedure for a payment brand using a mobile terminal 4 in the vending machine system 100 of Modification 2. First, as shown in FIG. 11, as in the embodiment, the mobile terminal 4 launches the payment brand app 46 (step S301). After that, the mobile terminal 4 uses the payment brand app 46 to read the graphic code DD and obtain the machine number, which is the vending machine identification information D12 of the vending machine 1 (step S302). Then, the mobile terminal 4 establishes a short-range wireless communication connection with the vending machine 1 (step S303).

[0060] After establishing a short-range communication connection, the vending machine 1 receives a product selection (step S304) and sends a registered brand list request, including the machine number, to the intermediary server 3 (step S305). Receiving the registered brand list request, the intermediary server 3 determines whether the registered brand list request includes a machine number (step S306). If the machine number is included (step S306: Yes), the intermediary server 3 obtains a registered brand list corresponding to the machine number (step S307) and sends it to the vending machine 1 (step S308). On the other hand, if the machine number is not included (step S306: No), the intermediary server 3 sends all registered payment brands as a registered brand list to the vending machine 1 (step S308).

[0061] After that, the vending machine 1, which has received the registered brand list, sends the product name, price, and registered brand list to the mobile terminal 4 (step S309). The mobile terminal 4 displays the received product name, price, and registered brand list on screen E41 of the payment brand app 46. Then, the mobile terminal 4 selects one payment brand from the multiple registered payment brands, and when the Confirm button B1 is pressed (step S310), it sends the selected payment brand to the vending machine 1 (step S311).

[0062] After that, the vending machine 1, which has received the selected payment brand, requests a payment link address from the intermediary server 3 (step S312). After that, it performs the processes of steps S313 to S324, which correspond to steps S210 to S221 in Fig. 7, and then ends this process.

[0063] In this variant example 2, rather than each vending machine 1 individually registering a registered brand list in advance, the intermediary server 3 registers the registered brand lists of all vending machines connected to it collectively, thereby reducing the process of registering the registered brand list for each vending machine 1.

[0064] <Variation 3> In this third modification, the configuration shown in FIG. 2 is assumed, and a single-brand-dedicated app that controls payments for one payment brand is installed as the payment brand app 46. FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram showing the payment processing procedure for a payment brand using a mobile terminal 4 in the vending machine system 100 of the third modification. First, as shown in FIG. 12, as in the embodiment, the mobile terminal 4 launches the payment brand app 46 (step S401). Thereafter, the mobile terminal 4 uses the payment brand app 46 to read the graphic code DD and obtain the machine number, which is the vending machine identification information D12 of the vending machine 1 (step S402). Then, the mobile terminal 4 establishes a short-range wireless communication connection with the vending machine 1 (step S403).

[0065] After establishing a short-range communication connection, the vending machine 1 receives a product selection (step S404) and transmits product information including the product name and price to the mobile terminal 4 (step S405). Having received the product information, the mobile terminal 4 transmits one of the payment brands handled by the payment brand app 46 to the vending machine 1 (step S406).

[0066] The vending machine 1 then determines whether the received payment brand is a registered payment brand (step S407). If the payment brand is a registered payment brand (step S407: Yes), the vending machine 1 performs steps S411 to S421, which correspond to steps S108 to S118 shown in FIG. 4, and then ends this process.

[0067] On the other hand, if the received payment brand is not a registered payment brand (step S407: No), the vending machine 1 sends an error notification to the mobile terminal 4 (step S408). The mobile terminal 4 determines whether or not an error notification has been received (step S409), and if it is not an error notification (step S409: No), it then goes into standby mode. If it is an error notification (step S409: Yes), it displays a guide D41 on the screen E41 as shown in Fig. 13, prompting the user to start a payment brand app for another payment brand, which then starts the other payment brand app (step S410), and proceeds to step S402 to attempt payment processing for the other payment brand.

[0068] Instead of the error notification, an instruction to disconnect the communication may be issued. In this case, step S409 is replaced by a step of determining whether or not the instruction is to disconnect the communication, and if so, a guide D41 is displayed.

[0069] Furthermore, as in the first and second modified examples, an intermediary server 3 may be provided, and the intermediary server 3 may additionally register an unregistered payment brand in the registered brand list of the vending machine 1.

[0070] Furthermore, in the above embodiment and modified example, it is assumed that the product selection button is pressed, but this is not limiting, and product information of the vending machine 1 may be displayed on the display unit of the mobile terminal 4, and product selection may be performed on the mobile terminal 4. In this case, the user can select a product and perform payment processing without pressing any buttons on the vending machine 1, thereby improving infection prevention measures against COVID-19 and the like.

[0071] Furthermore, the configurations illustrated in the above embodiments and modifications are merely functional schematics and do not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown. In other words, the distribution and integration of each device and component is not limited to that illustrated, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit depending on various usage situations, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1. Vending machines 2. Payment Server 3. Intermediary Server 4. Mobile devices 10 Vending machine main control unit 11 Sales Control Department 20. Communication Control Unit 21 Control section 22,42 Internet Communications Department 23 Product selection button 24 Display 25 Graphical code display section 26 Payment brand display section 28,43 Near Field Wireless Communication Department 30 Main unit control section 31 Cooling equipment 32 Unloading device 33 Coin Mechanism 34 Bill Validator 35 Remote Control 36 Electronic money reader / writer 41 Operation display section 44 Storage section 45 Control Unit 46 Branded payment apps 47 Code reader 100 Vending Machine System B1 Confirm button D1, D31 Registered Brand List D2,D32 Payment server address D11 Product information D12 Vending machine identification information D21 Intermediary server address D31 D40 User information DD Graphic Code E41 screen N Network

Claims

1. A vending machine system comprising: a vending machine that sells products; a payment server that processes payment for the products; and a mobile terminal that is carried by a user who purchases the products and has a payment brand app that controls payment for the products using a payment brand, wherein the vending machine, the payment server, and the mobile terminal are capable of communicating with each other; The vending machine registers the payment brands that the vending machine handles as registered payment brands in advance, The mobile terminal launches the payment brand app to connect to the vending machine for communication, and after the user selects the product, transmits the payment brand to the vending machine; When the vending machine receives the payment brand, it connects to a payment server that handles the payment brand, acquires a payment link address that is a link destination of the payment server, and notifies the mobile terminal of the acquired payment link address; the mobile terminal connects to the payment server using the payment link address and performs payment processing for the product with the payment server; The vending machine system is characterized in that the vending machine dispenses the product when payment processing for the product is completed.

2. an intermediary server connected between the vending machine and the payment server, which registers correspondence between the payment brand and the payment server in advance, and which mediates connection between the vending machine and the payment server corresponding to the payment brand; When the intermediary server receives the payment brand from the vending machine, it determines whether the received payment brand is registered, and if the payment brand is registered, it connects to a payment server that handles the payment brand to obtain a payment link address that is a link destination of the payment server, and notifies the mobile terminal of the obtained payment link address, and if the payment brand is not registered, it searches for a payment server that handles the payment brand, and performs an additional registration process to additionally register the searched payment server as a payment server corresponding to the payment brand, and notifies the vending machine of a registration completion notification of the additionally registered payment brand, and then connects to a payment server that handles the payment brand to obtain a payment link address that is a link destination of the payment server, and notifies the mobile terminal of the obtained payment link address, 2. The vending machine system according to claim 1, wherein the vending machine additionally registers the payment brand for which it has received a notification of registration completion as one of the registered payment brands.

3. 2. The vending machine system according to claim 1, wherein the payment brand application is a single-brand application that controls payment for one payment brand.

4. The vending machine displays a readable graphic code that is a graphic representation of vending machine identification information that identifies the vending machine itself, The vending machine system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the mobile terminal reads the graphic code and establishes a communication connection with the vending machine using the vending machine identification information indicated by the graphic code.

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