Vending machine system

Abstract

To improve convenience. [Solution] A vending machine system 1 comprises a vending machine 10 that has sales information 17a for vending machines and sells products selected by any product selection button 13, a vending machine management server 20 that has management sales information 21 and manages the vending machine 10 which is connected to the vending machine 10 for communication, and a mobile terminal 40 that can communicate with the vending machine management server 20. The vending machine management server 20, in response to a request from the mobile terminal 40 which has acquired the vending machine identification information of the vending machine 10, determines that the vending machine 10 is capable of selling products via communication, sends product information to the mobile terminal 40 to enable product selection on the mobile terminal 40, and when a product is selected by the product selection button 13, the corresponding product information is displayed on the operation display unit 44 of the mobile terminal 40 while the LED 13a is blinking, and when a product is selected on the mobile terminal 40, the corresponding LED 13a is blinking.

Description

Technical Field

[0005] ,

[0007]

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

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, in a vending machine system equipped with a vending machine for selling products, not only selection of a product by pressing a product selection button of the vending machine but also selection of a product by a portable terminal such as a smartphone has been made possible. For example, this is proposed in Patent Document 1.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the above vending machine system, when a product selection operation is performed by a portable terminal, the light source of the product selection button of the vending machine associated with the selected product does not blink or light up. Therefore, it has been difficult for the user to determine whether a product is being selected by the vending machine.

[0005] In addition, in the above vending machine system, when a product selection operation is performed by the product selection button of the vending machine, the selected product is not displayed on the operation display unit of the portable terminal. Therefore, it has been difficult for the user to determine whether the product selection on the vending machine is valid.

[0006] That is, in the above vending machine system, since the product selection on one of the vending machine and the portable terminal is not linked to the other, it cannot be said that it is excellent in convenience for the user.

[0007] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide an automatic vending machine system that can improve convenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above objective, the vending machine system according to the present invention comprises a vending machine having sales information for the vending machine associated with a column for storing products, a selection means for selecting products, and product prices, and selling products selected by any selection means; a management server having management sales information associated with the column in the vending machine, product information stored in the column, and product prices, and managing the vending machine which is connected to the vending machine for communication purposes; and a mobile terminal held by a user who purchases products and which can communicate with the management server, wherein the management server, in response to a request from the mobile terminal which has acquired the vending machine identification information of the vending machine, determines that the vending machine is capable of selling products via communication, sends the product information to the mobile terminal to enable product selection on the mobile terminal, and further, when a product is selected by the selection means in the vending machine, the light source built into the selection means flashes on and off while displaying the product information corresponding to the column on the operation display unit of the mobile terminal, while when a product is selected on the mobile terminal, the light source built into the selection means corresponding to the column flashes on and off.

[0009] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-described vending machine system, after a product has been selected by the selection means in the vending machine, if the management server determines that the vending machine is capable of selling products via communication in response to a request from the mobile terminal which has acquired the vending machine identification information of the vending machine, it displays the product information corresponding to the relevant column on the operation display unit of the mobile terminal.

[0010] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned vending machine system, when the management server notifies the vending machine that a product has been selected on the mobile terminal, the selection means will be disabled until the selected product is dispensed.

[0011] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned vending machine system, the management server, in response to a request from the mobile terminal that has acquired the vending machine identification information of the vending machine, determines that the vending machine is unable to sell products via communication, or determines that the vending machine is in a state where it cannot sell products, and disables product selection on the mobile terminal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, when a management server determines that a vending machine is capable of selling products via communication in response to a request from a mobile terminal that has acquired the vending machine identification information of the vending machine, it sends product information to the mobile terminal to enable product selection on the mobile terminal. Furthermore, when a product is selected by the selection means in the vending machine, the light source built into the selection means is flashed on and off, and the product information corresponding to the corresponding column is displayed on the operation display of the mobile terminal. Conversely, when a product is selected on the mobile terminal, the light source built into the selection means corresponding to the corresponding column is flashed on and off. As a result, product selection on the vending machine and the mobile terminal are linked to the other, making it easier for users to select products on their mobile terminals and improving convenience. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the control system of an automatic vending machine system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a sequence diagram showing one example of the product sales procedure in the vending machine system shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3]Figure 3 is a sequence diagram showing another example of the product sales procedure in the vending machine system shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a sequence diagram showing yet another example of the product sales procedure in the vending machine system shown in Figure 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] A preferred embodiment of the vending machine system according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0015] Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the control system of an automatic vending machine system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The automatic vending machine system 1 illustrated here is configured by connecting a vending machine 10, a vending machine management server 20, a payment service provider server 30, a mobile terminal 40, and a relay server 50 via a network N such as the Internet.

[0016] The vending machine 10 sells beverages in containers such as cans or plastic bottles, and although not explicitly shown in the diagram, it is equipped with a main cabinet and a front door. The main cabinet is a rectangular, insulated enclosure with an opening at the front. Inside this main cabinet, there are multiple product storage racks, and columns are set in these product storage racks. Each column is a storage unit that holds products of the same type, and one or more product storage racks are provided depending on the products being sold.

[0017] The front door is an insulated door that is pivotably mounted on the main cabinet, opening and closing the front opening of the main cabinet. This front door is provided with a product retrieval opening. The product retrieval opening is an opening for retrieving products that have been removed from inside the main cabinet, and can be opened and closed by the product retrieval door.

[0018] The above vending machine 10 has a vending machine control unit 11, to which a cooling and heating device 12, product selection buttons 13, display unit 14, payment unit 15, delivery device 16, and communication unit 18 are connected.

[0019] The vending machine control unit 11 comprehensively controls the operations of each part of the vending machine 10 according to programs and data stored in the vending machine storage unit 17.

[0020] The cooling and heating device 12 is for managing the products stored in the product storage rack in a set temperature state. The cooling and heating device 12 cools the products in the product storage rack set for cooling while heating the products in the product storage rack set for heating.

[0021] A plurality of product selection buttons 13 are provided on the front door corresponding to product samples (not shown). These product selection buttons 13 are selection means for selecting products, and when pressed, send their selection signals to the vending machine control unit 11. These product selection buttons 13 have built-in LEDs 13a which are light sources. The LEDs 13a light up according to commands from the vending machine control unit 11.

[0022] In addition, vending machine sales information 17a is stored in the vending machine storage unit 17. The vending machine sales information 17a associates the column number, the number of the product selection buttons 13, and the product price, and is provided by the vending machine management server 20.

[0023] The display unit 14 is for displaying "For Sale" etc. and has a built-in light source. The payment unit 15, although not explicitly shown in the figure, is configured with a money processing device and a payment terminal. The money processing device is, for example, what is called a coin mech or a bill validator, and performs deposit and withdrawal processing of money inserted through the money insertion slot. The payment terminal is provided on the front door and performs payment processing by reading and writing information (electronic money) with a recording medium such as an electronic money card held in a predetermined communicable area.

[0024] The dispensing device 16 is provided for each column in the product storage rack. When a dispensing command is given by the vending machine control unit 11, the dispensing device 16 dispenses the product at the downstream position of the corresponding column and makes the dispensed product available for retrieval through the product dispensing opening.

[0025] The communication unit 18 is connected to the vending machine control unit 11 via USB (Universal Serial Bus) communication. This communication unit 18 is a communication interface that establishes a communication connection to the vending machine management server 20, etc., via the network N using a communication method such as LTE (registered trademark).

[0026] The vending machine management server 20 is a higher-level device for the vending machine 10 and has the function of acquiring various information about the vending machine 10 and managing and operating the vending machine 10. The vending machine management server 20 also stores management sales information 21. This management sales information 21 associates the column number of the corresponding vending machine 10 with the product information (product identification information) stored in the column and the product price.

[0027] The payment service provider server 30 is managed by the payment service provider and has the function of processing payments. The mobile terminal 40 is a terminal device carried by a user who purchases a product, such as a smartphone, and has a terminal control unit 41 to which a terminal storage unit 42, a terminal communication unit 43, an operation display unit 44, and an information acquisition unit 45 are connected.

[0028] The terminal control unit 41 comprehensively controls the operation of each part of the mobile terminal 40 according to the programs and data stored in the terminal storage unit 42. The terminal communication unit 43 is a communication interface that establishes a communication connection to the relay server 50, etc., via the network N using a communication method such as LTE (registered trademark).

[0029] The operation display unit 44 is, for example, a touch panel type liquid crystal display device and is an input / output interface for operating and inputting various data and displaying various data. The information acquisition unit 45 reads a graphic code, such as a QR code (registered trademark) that contains graphic information of the vending machine, attached to, for example, the front door of the vending machine 10, and acquires the vending machine identification information. The relay server 50 relays the vending machine management server 20 and the mobile terminal 40, or the payment service provider server 30 and the mobile terminal 40, via the network N.

[0030] Figure 2 is a sequence diagram showing one example of the product sales procedure in the vending machine system 1 shown in Figure 1.

[0031] The terminal control unit 41 reads the graphic code of any vending machine 10 through the information acquisition unit 45 to obtain the vending machine identification information of the vending machine 10 (step S101), and sends a sales availability confirmation to the vending machine management server 20 via the relay server 50 to determine whether it is possible to sell products via communication (steps S102, step S103).

[0032] The vending machine management server 20 checks whether it is possible to sell products via communication with the vending machine control unit 11 of the vending machine 10 identified by the vending machine identification information (step S104), and by inputting the online / offline response from the vending machine control unit 11 (step S105), it determines whether it is possible to sell products via communication (step S106).

[0033] If the vending machine management server 20 cannot sell the product via communication (step S106: No), it sends a "cannot sell" response to the relay server 50 (step S107), while if it can sell the product via communication (step S106: Yes), it sends a "can sell" response to the relay server 50 (step S108).

[0034] If the relay server 50 receives a "sale unavailable" response from the vending machine management server 20, it responds to the terminal control unit 41 as "sale unavailable" (step S109: No) (step S110).

[0035] Meanwhile, if the relay server 50 receives a response from the vending machine management server 20 indicating that the product is available for sale, it determines that the product is available for sale (step S109: Yes) and requests the vending machine management server 20 to obtain product information regarding the product to be sold (step S111). Upon receiving this request for product information, the vending machine management server 20 sends the product information to the terminal control unit 41 via the relay server 50 (steps S112, S113).

[0036] When the terminal control unit 41 receives a "sale unavailable" response from the relay server 50, it displays a "sale unavailable" message on the operation display unit 44 (step S115), assuming that product information has not been acquired (step S114: No). This allows the user to recognize that the vending machine 10 cannot sell the product via communication.

[0037] On the other hand, when product information is sent from the relay server 50, the terminal control unit 41 considers that product information has been acquired (step S114: Yes) and displays the product information, that is, the list of products available for sale, on the operation display unit 44 (step S116).

[0038] In this situation, when the product selection button 13 is pressed and a product is selected (step S117), the vending machine control unit 11 sends the column number corresponding to the pressed product selection button 13 to the vending machine management server 20 using the vending machine sales information 17a (step S118). As a result, the vending machine management server 20 sends the product identification information corresponding to the column number, i.e., the selected product information, to the relay server 50 using the management sales information 21 (step S119).

[0039] By the way, the vending machine control unit 11 causes the LED 13a of the product selection button 13 that was pressed in step S117 to blink (step S120).

[0040] The relay server 50 sends selected product information to the terminal control unit 41 (step S121), and the terminal control unit 41 displays the product selected in step S117, i.e., the selected product, on the operation display unit 44 (step S122). As a result, the selected product is also displayed on the operation display unit 44 of the mobile terminal 40, so that the product selection by pressing the product selection button 13 is linked to the mobile terminal 40.

[0041] Subsequently, when the user confirms the product by touching the operation display unit 44, the terminal control unit 41 sends product confirmation information to the vending machine management server 20 via the relay server 50 (steps S123, S124).

[0042] The vending machine management server 20, which has received product confirmation information via the relay server 50, sends information regarding the product price to the terminal control unit 41 via the relay server 50 (steps S125, S126). The terminal control unit 41, which has received information regarding the product price via the relay server 50 in this manner, performs settlement processing with the payment service provider server 30 via the relay server 50 (step S127).

[0043] As a result of the payment processing being carried out properly, the payment service provider server 30 notifies the relay server 50 of the payment result (step S128), and the relay server 50 then sends a command to the vending machine management server 20 to dispense the corresponding selected product (step S129).

[0044] The vending machine management server 20 sends a dispensing instruction to the vending machine control unit 11 of the corresponding vending machine 10 (step S130). As a result, the vending machine control unit 11 dispenses the selected product through the dispensing device 16, turns off the blinking of the corresponding LED 13a, and then sends a dispensing response to the vending machine management server 20 (steps S131, S132, S133). As a result, the LED 13a of the product selection button 13 that was pressed in step S117 returns to its normal illumination.

[0045] Furthermore, after receiving the dispensing response from the vending machine control unit 11, the vending machine management server 20 sends a dispensing response to the relay server 50 (step S134). Having received the dispensing response from the vending machine management server 20 in this way, the relay server 50 sends a dispensing completion response to the terminal control unit 41 (step S135). As a result, the terminal control unit 41 displays a dispensing completion message on the operation display unit 44 (step S136), and then terminates the wireless communication with the relay server 50 (step S137).

[0046] Figure 3 is a sequence diagram showing another example of the product sales procedure in the vending machine system 1 shown in Figure 1.

[0047] When any of the product selection buttons 13 is pressed and a product is selected (step S201), the vending machine control unit 11 causes the LED 13a of the product selection button 13 to blink (step S202).

[0048] Subsequently, the terminal control unit 41 reads the graphic code of any vending machine 10 through the information acquisition unit 45 to obtain the vending machine identification information of the vending machine 10 (step S203), and sends a sales availability confirmation to the vending machine management server 20 via the relay server 50 to determine whether it is possible to sell products via communication (steps S204, steps S205).

[0049] As a result, the vending machine management server 20 communicates with the vending machine control unit 11 of the vending machine 10 identified by the vending machine identification information to check whether it is possible to sell products to the vending machine via online or offline (step S206).

[0050] Upon receiving online / offline confirmation from the vending machine management server 20, the vending machine control unit 11 sends an online / offline response to the vending machine server and also sends the column number corresponding to the pressed product selection button 13 (step S207). Based on this, the vending machine management server 20 determines whether or not it is possible to sell products via communication (step S208).

[0051] If the vending machine management server 20 cannot sell the product via communication (step S208: No), it sends a "sale impossible" response to the relay server 50 (step S209), while if it can sell the product via communication (step S208: Yes), it sends a "sale possible" response to the relay server 50 (step S210).

[0052] If the relay server 50 receives a "sale unavailable" response from the vending machine management server 20, it responds to the terminal control unit 41 as "sale unavailable" (step S211: No) (step S212).

[0053] On the other hand, if the relay server 50 receives a response from the vending machine management server 20 indicating that the product is available for sale, it determines that the product is available for sale (step S211: Yes) and requests the vending machine management server 20 to obtain product information regarding the product to be sold (step S213). Upon receiving this request for product information, the vending machine management server 20 sends the product information corresponding to the column number, i.e., the selected product information, via the relay server 50 to the terminal control unit 41 using the management sales information 21 (steps S214, S215).

[0054] When the terminal control unit 41 receives a "sale unavailable" response from the relay server 50, it displays a "sale unavailable" message on the operation display unit 44 (step S217), assuming that product information has not been acquired (step S216: No). This allows the user to recognize that the vending machine 10 cannot sell the product via communication.

[0055] On the other hand, when the terminal control unit 41 receives selected product information from the relay server 50, it considers the product information to have been acquired (step S216: Yes) and displays the selected product information on the operation display unit 44 (step S218). As a result, the selected product is also displayed on the operation display unit 44 of the mobile terminal 40, so that the product selection made by pressing the product selection button 13 is linked to the mobile terminal 40.

[0056] Subsequently, when the user confirms the product by touching the operation display unit 44, the terminal control unit 41 sends product confirmation information to the vending machine management server 20 via the relay server 50 (steps S219, S220).

[0057] The vending machine management server 20, which has received product confirmation information via the relay server 50, sends information regarding the product price to the terminal control unit 41 via the relay server 50 (steps S221, S222). The terminal control unit 41, which has received information regarding the product price via the relay server 50 in this manner, performs settlement processing with the payment service provider server 30 via the relay server 50 (step S223).

[0058] As a result of the payment processing being carried out properly, the payment service provider server 30 notifies the relay server 50 of the payment result (step S224), and the relay server 50 then sends a command to the vending machine management server 20 to dispense the corresponding selected product (step S225).

[0059] The vending machine management server 20 sends a dispensing instruction to the vending machine control unit 11 of the corresponding vending machine 10 (step S226). As a result, the vending machine control unit 11 dispenses the selected product through the dispensing device 16, turns off the blinking of the corresponding LED 13a, and then sends a dispensing response to the vending machine management server 20 (steps S227, S228, S229). As a result, the LED 13a of the product selection button 13 that was pressed in step S201 returns to its normal illumination.

[0060] Furthermore, after receiving the dispensing response from the vending machine control unit 11, the vending machine management server 20 sends a dispensing response to the relay server 50 (step S230). Having received the dispensing response from the vending machine management server 20 in this way, the relay server 50 sends a dispensing completion response to the terminal control unit 41 (step S231). As a result, the terminal control unit 41 displays a dispensing completion message on the operation display unit 44 (step S232), and then terminates the process by disconnecting the wireless communication with the relay server 50 (step S233).

[0061] In the sales procedure shown in Figures 2 and 3, the case where a product is selected using the product selection button 13 was described, but in this embodiment of the vending machine system 1, it is also possible to select a product using the mobile terminal 40 as follows.

[0062] Figure 4 is a sequence diagram showing yet another example of the product sales procedure in the vending machine system 1 shown in Figure 1.

[0063] The terminal control unit 41 reads the graphic code of any vending machine 10 through the information acquisition unit 45 to obtain vending machine identification information of the vending machine 10 (step S301), and sends a sales availability confirmation to the vending machine management server 20 via the relay server 50 to determine whether it is possible to sell products via communication (steps S302, steps S303).

[0064] The vending machine management server 20 checks whether it is possible to sell products via communication with the vending machine control unit 11 of the vending machine 10 identified by the vending machine identification information (step S304), and by inputting the online / offline response from the vending machine control unit 11 (step S305), it determines whether it is possible to sell products via communication (step S306).

[0065] If the vending machine management server 20 cannot sell the product via communication (step S306: No), it sends a "cannot sell" response to the relay server 50 (step S307), while if it can sell the product via communication (step S306: Yes), it sends a "can sell" response to the relay server 50 (step S308).

[0066] If the relay server 50 receives a "sale unavailable" response from the vending machine management server 20, it responds to the terminal control unit 41 as "sale unavailable" (step S309: No) (step S310).

[0067] On the other hand, if the relay server 50 receives a response from the vending machine management server 20 indicating that the product is available for sale, it determines that the product is available for sale (step S309: Yes) and requests the vending machine management server 20 to obtain product information regarding the product to be sold (step S311).

[0068] Upon receiving a request to acquire product information, the vending machine management server 20 sends the product information to the terminal control unit 41 via the relay server 50 (steps S312, S313).

[0069] When the terminal control unit 41 receives a "sale unavailable" response from the relay server 50, it displays a "sale unavailable" message on the operation display unit 44 (step S315), assuming that product information has not been acquired (step S314: No). This allows the user to recognize that the vending machine 10 cannot sell the product via communication.

[0070] On the other hand, when product information is sent from the relay server 50, the terminal control unit 41 considers that product information has been acquired (step S314: Yes) and displays the product information, that is, the list of products available for sale, on the operation display unit 44 (step S316).

[0071] In this situation, when a user selects a product by touching the product list displayed on the operation display unit 44 (step S317), the terminal control unit 41 sends product confirmation information to the vending machine management server 20 via the relay server 50 (steps S318, S319).

[0072] The vending machine management server 20, which has received product confirmation information via the relay server 50, sends the column number corresponding to the selected product information included in the product confirmation information, as well as a selection confirmation instruction, to the vending machine control unit 11 using the management sales information 21 (step S320).

[0073] In this way, the vending machine control unit 11, having received the column number and selection confirmation instruction, uses the vending machine sales information 17a to blink the LED 13a of the product selection button 13 corresponding to the column number, and sets the vending machine 10 to a mode where selection by the product selection button 13 is disabled (steps S321, S322), and sends the setting result to the vending machine management server 20 (step S323). As a result, when the LED 13a of the corresponding product selection button 13 blinks, product selection by touch operation on the operation display unit 44 of the mobile terminal 40 is linked to the vending machine 10.

[0074] The vending machine management server 20, which has received the setting results, sends information regarding the product price to the terminal control unit 41 via the relay server 50 (steps S324, S325). The terminal control unit 41, which has received the information regarding the product price via the relay server 50 in this manner, performs payment processing with the payment service provider server 30 via the relay server 50 (step S326).

[0075] As a result of the payment processing being carried out properly, the payment service provider server 30 notifies the relay server 50 of the payment result (step S327), and the relay server 50 then sends a command to the vending machine management server 20 to dispense the corresponding selected product (step S328).

[0076] The vending machine management server 20 sends a dispensing instruction to the vending machine control unit 11 of the corresponding vending machine 10 (step S329). As a result, the vending machine control unit 11 dispenses the selected product through the dispensing device 16 and stops the blinking of the corresponding LED 13a (steps S330, S331), then sends a dispensing response to the vending machine management server 20 and then releases the unselectable mode (steps S332, S333). As a result, the LED 13a of the product selection button 13, which blinked in step S321, returns to its normal illumination.

[0077] Furthermore, after receiving the dispensing response from the vending machine control unit 11, the vending machine management server 20 sends a dispensing response to the relay server 50 (step S334). Having received the dispensing response from the vending machine management server 20 in this way, the relay server 50 sends a dispensing completion response to the terminal control unit 41 (step S335). As a result, the terminal control unit 41 displays a dispensing completion message on the operation display unit 44 (step S336), and then terminates the wireless communication with the relay server 50 (step S337).

[0078] As described above, according to the vending machine system 1, which is an embodiment of the present invention, when the vending machine management server 20 determines that the vending machine 10 is capable of selling products via communication in response to a request from a mobile terminal 40 that has acquired the vending machine identification information of the vending machine 10, it sends product information to the mobile terminal 40 to enable product selection on the mobile terminal 40. Furthermore, when a product is selected in the vending machine 10 by pressing the product selection button 13, the LED 13a built into the product selection button 13 is flashed and the product information corresponding to the corresponding column is displayed on the operation display unit 44 of the mobile terminal 40. Conversely, when a product is selected on the mobile terminal 40, the LED 13a built into the product selection button 13 corresponding to the corresponding column is flashed. As a result, product selection in the vending machine 10 and the mobile terminal 40 is linked to the other, making it easier for users to select products on the mobile terminal 40 and improving convenience.

[0079] According to the above-described vending machine system 1, when the vending machine management server 20 notifies the vending machine 10 that a product has been selected on the mobile terminal 40, the vending machine 10 disables product selection using the product selection button 13 until the selected product is dispensed. This prevents malfunctions that may occur if a product is selected on the vending machine 10 after a product has been selected on the mobile terminal 40.

[0080] According to the above-described vending machine system 1, when the vending machine management server 20 receives a request from a mobile terminal 40 that has acquired the vending machine identification information of the vending machine 10 and determines that the vending machine 10 is unable to sell products via communication, it displays a "sale unavailable" message on the operation display unit 44 and prevents the mobile terminal 40 from selecting products. This prevents the user from operating the operation display unit 44 up to the point of payment processing, thereby improving convenience.

[0081] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made.

[0082] In the embodiment described above, a vending machine management server 20 and a relay server 50 were provided. However, in the present invention, the vending machine management server 20 and the relay server 50 may be integrated and configured as a single management server to form the vending machine system.

[0083] In the embodiments described above, the product selection button 13 was explained as an example of a selection means. However, in the present invention, the selection means may be displayed on a touch-sensitive display, and its form is not particularly limited.

[0084] In the embodiment described above, the vending machine management server 20 checked the vending machine control unit 11 for online / offline status to determine whether the vending machine 10 was capable of selling products via communication. However, in the present invention, sales are not limited to sales via communication. For example, the vending machine 10 may determine that it is unable to sell products after restocking or when products are sold out. In such cases, a sales unavailable response may be sent to the mobile terminal 40 (terminal control unit 41), and a sales unavailable display may be shown on the operation display unit 44.

[0085] The configurations illustrated in the above embodiments are functional schematics and do not necessarily have to be physically represented as shown. In other words, the forms of distribution and integration of each device and component are not limited to those shown, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit according to various usage situations. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0086] 1...Vending machine system, 10...Vending machine, 11...Vending machine control unit, 12...Refrigeration / heating device, 13...Product selection button, 13a...LED, 14...Display unit, 15...Payment unit, 16...Dispensing device, 17...Vending machine memory unit, 17a...Sales information for vending machine, 18...Communication unit, 20...Vending machine management server, 21...Sales information for management, 30...Payment service provider server, 40...Mobile terminal, 41...Terminal control unit, 42...Terminal memory unit, 43...Terminal communication unit, 44...Operation display unit, 45...Information acquisition unit, 50...Relay server, N...Network.

Claims

1. A vending machine having sales information for vending machines that associates a column for storing products, a selection means for selecting products, and product prices, and selling products selected by any selection means, A management server that manages the vending machine, which has management sales information associated with the column in the vending machine, the product information stored in the column, and the product price, and is connected to the vending machine via communication, A mobile device held by the user purchasing the product and capable of communicating with the management server. An automatic vending machine system equipped with, The vending machine system is characterized in that, when the management server determines that the vending machine is capable of selling products via communication in response to a request from the mobile terminal which has acquired the vending machine identification information of the vending machine, it sends the product information to the mobile terminal to enable product selection on the mobile terminal, and when a product is selected by the selection means in the vending machine, it flashes a light source built into the selection means and displays the product information corresponding to the column on the operation display unit of the mobile terminal, while when a product is selected on the mobile terminal, it flashes a light source built into the selection means corresponding to the column.

2. The vending machine system according to claim 1, characterized in that, after a product has been selected by the selection means in the vending machine, if the management server determines that the vending machine is capable of selling products via communication in response to a request from the mobile terminal which has acquired the vending machine identification information of the vending machine, it displays the product information corresponding to the column on the operation display unit of the mobile terminal.

3. The vending machine system according to claim 1, characterized in that when the management server notifies the vending machine that a product has been selected on the mobile terminal, the selection means will be disabled until the selected product is dispensed.

4. The vending machine system according to claim 1, characterized in that the management server, in response to a request from the mobile terminal that has obtained the vending machine identification information of the vending machine, determines that the vending machine is unable to sell products via communication, or determines that the vending machine is in a state where it cannot sell products, and disables product selection on the mobile terminal.

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