Touchless unit and vending machine system

Abstract

To provide a touchless unit and a vending machine system that allow customers to select products without touching a product selection button by only simply adding a unit or the like to a current vending machine.SOLUTION: A touchless unit 22 includes: a short-range wireless communication unit 27 that establishes short-range wireless communication with a mobile terminal 4; and an emulation unit 26 that uses a correspondence table T storing a correspondence relationship between a product selection button number and a button address which is the address of a product selection button, uses a button address corresponding to a product selection button number input from the mobile terminal 4 after establishing the short-range wireless communication with the mobile terminal 4, and outputs depression of a product selection button corresponding to the product selection button number to a vending machine main control unit 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a touchless unit and a vending machine system that allows a user to select a product without touching a product selection button by simply adding a unit or the like to an existing vending machine. [Background technology]

[0002] Recent vending machines have come to allow payment not only with cash but also with electronic money. In particular, payment can be completed by holding a prepaid electronic money card equipped with an RFID tag over an RFID reader / writer on the vending machine (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-151674 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, even in vending machines that allow various types of payment, such as cash payment, electronic money payment, and QR code (registered trademark) payment, it is necessary to press and select a product by pressing a product selection button arranged corresponding to the product.

[0005] In recent years, as a measure against virus infection, there is a demand for selecting products without shaking the product selection button that many people touch. In addition, when adding a touchless function that allows you to select products without touching the product selection button, it is desirable to be able to install it easily while minimizing the need to modify the existing vending machine.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide a touchless unit and vending machine system that allows users to select products without touching a product selection button, simply by adding a unit or the like to an existing 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 touchless unit that is connected to a main vending machine control unit of a vending machine that sells products selected by pressing a plurality of product selection buttons corresponding to a plurality of products, and is also connected to an external mobile terminal via short-range wireless communication, and replaces the operation of pressing the product selection buttons with a product selection operation of the mobile terminal, characterized in that it comprises a short-range wireless communication unit that establishes short-range wireless communication with the mobile terminal, and an emulation unit that, after short-range wireless communication with the mobile terminal is established, uses a correspondence table that stores a correspondence between product selection button numbers and button addresses that are the addresses of the product selection buttons, and outputs to the main vending machine control unit, using the button address corresponding to the product selection button number input from the mobile terminal, that the product selection button corresponding to the product selection button number has been pressed.

[0008] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the vending machine is provided with numeric input keys for selecting a product, pressing a product selection button on the vending machine is pressing the numeric input keys, and after short-range wireless communication with the mobile terminal is established, the emulation unit uses the address of the numeric input keys to output to the vending machine main control unit that the input numbers entered from the mobile terminal have been selected.

[0009] The present invention also provides a vending machine system having a vending machine that sells a product selected by pressing a plurality of product selection buttons corresponding to a plurality of products, and a mobile terminal capable of short-range wireless communication with the vending machine, the vending machine including a touchless unit that performs short-range wireless communication with the mobile terminal to substitute a pressing operation of the product selection buttons for a product selection operation of the mobile terminal, the touchless unit receiving button configuration information including the arrangement and product selection button numbers of the product selection buttons and product information corresponding to each product selection button from a vending machine main control unit of the vending machine after short-range wireless communication with the mobile terminal is established. and notifying the mobile terminal of the selected product's product selection button number, and the mobile terminal, based on the vending machine configuration information, displays a dummy stage operation screen corresponding to the front of the vending machine and notifies the touchless unit of the product selection button number of the selected product, and the touchless unit uses a correspondence table that stores a correspondence between product selection button numbers and button addresses that are addresses of the product selection buttons, and uses the button address that corresponds to the product selection button number input from the mobile terminal to output to the vending machine main control unit that the product selection button corresponding to the product selection button number has been pressed.

[0010] In addition, in the above invention, the touchless unit pre-stores the vending machine configuration information, and after short-range wireless communication with the mobile terminal is established, notifies the mobile terminal of the vending machine configuration information.

[0011] The present invention also provides a vending machine system including a vending machine that sells a product selected by pressing a plurality of product selection buttons corresponding to a plurality of products, a mobile terminal capable of short-range wireless communication with the vending machine, and a management server that is connected to the vending machine and manages sales information of the vending machine, the vending machine including a touchless unit that performs short-range wireless communication with the mobile terminal to substitute a pressing operation of the product selection button for a product selection operation of the mobile terminal, the touchless unit notifying the mobile terminal of vending machine identification information from a vending machine main control unit of the vending machine after short-range wireless communication with the mobile terminal is established, and the mobile terminal notifies the management server of sales information of the vending machine. the touchless unit connects to a dummy stage server to obtain vending machine configuration information including button configuration information including the arrangement and product selection numbers of the product selection buttons, and product information corresponding to each product selection button, displays a dummy stage operation screen corresponding to the front of the vending machine, and notifies the touchless unit of the product selection button number of the selected product, and the touchless unit uses a correspondence table that stores the correspondence between product selection button numbers and button addresses that are the addresses of the product selection buttons, and uses the button address corresponding to the product selection button number input from the mobile terminal to output to the vending machine main control unit that the product selection button corresponding to the product selection button number has been pressed.

[0012] In addition, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the vending machine is provided with an external communication unit that connects to the management server, and the touchless unit acquires the vending machine configuration information via the external communication unit and notifies the mobile terminal of the vending machine configuration information.

[0013] In addition, in the above invention, the vending machine is equipped with an external communication unit connected to the management server, and the external communication unit acquires vending machine configuration information and product information from the management server in advance, generates and stores dummy stage information, which is information for a dummy stage operation screen based on the vending machine configuration information, and stores product information, and the touchless unit acquires the dummy stage information and product information from the external communication unit and notifies the mobile terminal, and the mobile terminal displays the dummy stage operation screen based on the notified dummy stage information and product information.

[0014] In addition, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the vending machine displays a vending machine identification graphic code in which the vending machine identification information is embedded, and the mobile terminal reads the vending machine identification graphic code to obtain the vending machine identification information.

[0015] The present invention also provides a vending machine system having a vending machine that sells a product selected by pressing a plurality of product selection buttons corresponding to a plurality of products, and a portable terminal capable of short-range wireless communication with the vending machine, the vending machine including a touchless unit that performs short-range wireless communication with the portable terminal to replace the operation of pressing the product selection buttons with a product selection operation of the portable terminal, and a configuration information graphic code in which vending machine configuration information is embedded, the vending machine configuration information including button configuration information including an arrangement of the product selection buttons and product selection numbers, and product information corresponding to each product selection button, and the portable terminal reads the configuration information graphic code. based on the vending machine configuration information, a dummy stage operation screen corresponding to the front of the vending machine is displayed, and after establishing short-range wireless communication with the touchless unit, the product selection button number of the selected product is notified to the touchless unit, and the touchless unit uses a correspondence table that stores the correspondence between the product selection button numbers and button addresses that are the addresses of the product selection buttons, and uses the button address that corresponds to the product selection button number input from the mobile terminal to output to a main vending machine control unit of the vending machine that the product selection button corresponding to the product selection button number has been pressed.

[0016] In the present invention, in the above-mentioned invention, the configuration information graphic code is encrypted.

[0017] The present invention also provides a vending machine system having a vending machine that sells products selected by pressing a plurality of product selection buttons corresponding to a plurality of products, and a mobile terminal capable of short-range wireless communication with the vending machine, wherein the vending machine is equipped with a touchless unit that performs short-range wireless communication with the mobile terminal to replace the operation of pressing the product selection button with a product selection operation of the mobile terminal, the mobile terminal acquires a front image of the vending machine including the product selection button and the product, generates and displays a dummy stage operation screen based on the acquired front image, and after establishing short-range wireless communication with the touchless unit, notifies the touchless unit of the product selection button number of the selected product, and the touchless unit uses a correspondence table that stores a correspondence between the product selection button numbers and button addresses that are the addresses of the product selection buttons, and uses the button address corresponding to the product selection button number input from the mobile terminal to output to a main vending machine control unit of the vending machine that the product selection button corresponding to the product selection button number has been pressed.

[0018] In addition, in the above invention, the touchless unit is characterized in that when it receives a first press of a product selection button on the dummy stage operation screen of the mobile terminal, it causes the corresponding product selection button on the vending machine to flash, and when it receives a second press of the product selection button on the dummy stage operation screen, it outputs press information of the product selection button to the vending machine main control unit.

[0019] In addition, in the above invention, the present invention is characterized in that the vending machine displays a communication address graphic code indicating the near-field wireless communication address of the touchless unit, and the mobile terminal reads the communication address graphic code to establish communication with the touchless unit.

[0020] In the present invention, in the above-mentioned invention, the mobile terminal performs advertising to establish communication with the touchless unit.

[0021] Furthermore, in the above invention, the present invention is characterized in that the vending machine displays a connection condition information graphic code indicating specific connection condition information from the connection determination information used to connect with the touchless unit, the touchless unit transmits an advertising packet, the mobile terminal reads the connection condition information graphic code to set connection condition information for a scan request with the touchless unit, makes a scan request based on this set connection condition information to obtain the connection condition information, and establishes a communication connection with the touchless unit if the set connection condition information matches the obtained connection condition information.

[0022] In addition, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, a portion of the connection condition information is added to the advertising packet, and when the portion of the connection condition information added to the advertising packet matches the connection condition information indicated by the connection condition information graphic code, the mobile terminal makes a scan request to obtain other connection condition information, and when the obtained other connection condition information matches the connection condition information indicated by the connection condition information graphic code, the mobile terminal establishes a communication connection with the touchless unit.

[0023] In addition, in the above invention, the present invention is characterized in that if the mobile terminal is unable to set connection condition information for the scan request, the mobile terminal retains the scan result of the scan response, and repeatedly sends a scan request to the advertising packet until the scan result matches the connection condition information, and if the scan result matches the connection condition information, establishes a communication connection with the touchless unit.

[0024] In addition, in the above invention, the present invention is characterized in that the touchless unit adds the connection condition information to connection determination information contained in the advertising packet and / or a scan response to the scan request and transmits the connection condition information.

[0025] In the present invention, in the above-mentioned invention, the connection condition information is a device address and service information of the touchless unit.

[0026] In addition, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the vending machine is equipped with a human presence sensor that detects the approach of a person, and the touchless unit performs advertising and establishes communication with the mobile terminal when the human presence sensor detects the approach of a person.

[0027] In addition, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the vending machine only accepts cash payments, and the touchless unit monitors whether an amount display signal indicating the amount of coins inserted is transmitted to a display unit, and when the amount display signal is transmitted, performs advertising to establish communication with the mobile terminal.

[0028] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the vending machine is provided with numeric input keys for selecting a product, pressing a product selection button on the vending machine is pressing the numeric input keys, the mobile terminal outputs the numeric input keys as the dummy stage operation screen, and after short-range wireless communication with the mobile terminal is established, the touchless unit uses the address of the numeric input keys to output to the vending machine main control unit that the input number entered from the mobile terminal has been selected.

[0029] In the present invention, in the above-mentioned invention, the mobile terminal outputs only the numeric input keys as the dummy stage operation screen.

[0030] In the present invention, in the above-mentioned invention, the mobile terminal displays products by category based on the product information as the dummy stage operation screen.

[0031] In the above-mentioned invention, the mobile terminal may pre-register the categories to be displayed, and display products in the registered categories. Effect of the Invention

[0032] Furthermore, according to the present invention, by simply adding a unit or the like to an existing vending machine, it is possible to select a product without touching the product selection button. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0033] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a vending machine system including a vending machine and a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a control system of the vending machine system shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a portion of the management information. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of a control system of the touchless unit. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing a process of touchlessly pressing a product selection button using a mobile terminal in the vending machine system of this embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing a process of touchlessly pressing a product selection button using a mobile terminal in the vending machine system of the present modified example 1. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing a process of touchlessly pressing a product selection button using a mobile terminal in the vending machine system of the present modified example 2. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of a control system of the touchless unit according to the third modification. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing a process of touchlessly pressing a product selection button using a mobile terminal in the vending machine system of the third modified example. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a process of touchlessly pressing a product selection button using a mobile terminal in the vending machine system of the present modified example 4. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing a process of touchlessly pressing a product selection button using a mobile terminal in the vending machine system of the fifth modified example. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram showing a process of touchlessly pressing a product selection button using a mobile terminal in the vending machine system of the sixth modified example. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing a process of touchlessly pressing a product selection button using a mobile terminal in the vending machine system of the seventh modification. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram showing a process for establishing communication between a portable terminal and a touchless unit according to the eighth modification. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram showing a process for establishing communication between a portable terminal and a touchless unit according to the ninth modification. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram showing a process for establishing communication between a portable terminal and a touchless unit according to the tenth modification. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram showing a process for establishing communication between a mobile terminal and a touchless unit according to the thirteenth modification. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram showing a process for establishing communication between a portable terminal and a touchless unit according to the fourteenth modification. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a sequence diagram showing a process for establishing communication between a portable terminal and a touchless unit according to the fifteenth modification. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of data of an advertisement packet to which a device address, which is connection condition information, is added. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] <Vending machine configuration> Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a vending machine system including a vending machine 1 and a mobile terminal 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a control system of the vending machine system 100 shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 2 also shows a management server 2 connected to the vending machine 1 via a network N. The vending machine 1 is an example of a device, and is a vending machine that sells products such as canned drinks, bottled drinks, and PET bottled drinks, but may also be a cup-type vending machine, etc.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 1, the vending machine 1 sells products such as canned drinks and beverages in plastic bottles in either a cold or hot state, and is provided with an outer door 1b that closes the front opening of a main body cabinet 1a.

[0037] 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.

[0038] Additionally, an exhibition room 112 is provided in the upper front area of ​​the outer door 1b. The exhibition room 112 is for exhibiting 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 as to be able to open and close, and a transparent illuminated panel 114 fitted into the front side of the outer door 1b, and users can view the inside of the exhibition room 112 from the front side of the vending machine 1.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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 is lit 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 is lit in conjunction with pressing the product selection button 23.

[0041] Further, in the middle of the outer door 1b below the exhibition room 112, there are provided a coin insertion slot 51, a bill insertion slot 53, a display unit 24, a return lever 52, and an electronic money reader / writer 36.

[0042] 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 numbers of various coins inserted and transmits this information to the vending machine main control unit 10, which will be described later, and also dispenses various coins according to commands from the vending machine main control unit 10. The coin mechanism 33 also has a currency identification function that identifies the authenticity and denomination of coins.

[0043] The bill insertion slot 53 is an opening for receiving bills. Bills inserted through the bill insertion slot 53 are stored in a bill validator (bill processing device) 34 mounted on the inside of the outer door 1b. The bill validator 34 counts the number of inserted bills and transmits this to the vending machine main control unit 10, while dispensing the bills according to 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.

[0044] The electronic money reader / writer 36 reads the electronic money loaded on the electronic money card and writes the electronic money after the settlement. The electronic money reader / writer 36 also performs a writing process to load the electronic money for change onto the electronic money card. The electronic money reader / writer 36 has an electronic money identification function to detect the electronic money card and to identify the validity / invalidity and type of the electronic money card.

[0045] The display unit 24 is for displaying various information such as on sale, out of change, in preparation, and bill cancellation, as well as the amount of money inserted and information on various settings.

[0046] The return lever 52 is used to instruct the interruption of a transaction. When the return lever 52 is operated, the transaction is interrupted, change etc. is released from the coin mechanism 33 to the coin return port 63, and bills are returned from the bill validator 34 to the bill insertion port 53.

[0047] Further, below the outer door 1b, there is provided an outlet 62. The outlet 62 is an opening for taking out the products carried out from the product storage rack.

[0048] Additionally, a remote control 35 is provided inside the outer door 1b. The remote control 35 is used to perform various setting operations and to 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.

[0049] The product samples D in the exhibition room 112, the product selection button 23, etc. may be touch panel type digital signage. In this case, the function of the product selection button 23 is to select a product by touching the touch panel. Also, when the product selection button 23 is pressed, the area of ​​the product selection button is lit up.

[0050] <Vending machine control system> 2, the vending machine 1 has a vending machine main control unit 10, to which are connected an external communication unit 21, touchless unit 22, main body control unit 30, cooling / heating device 31, discharge device 32, coin mechanism 33, bill validator 34, remote control 35, electronic money reader / writer 36, product selection buttons 23, and display unit 24. The touchless unit 22, product selection buttons 23, and display unit 24 are all connected to the vending machine main control unit 10 by a common serial communication line L (see FIG. 4).

[0051] The external communication unit 21 is a communication interface that connects to the management server 2 via the network N by a communication method such as LTE (registered trademark).

[0052] The touchless unit 22 has a function of performing short-distance wireless communication with the mobile terminal 4 to substitute a pressing operation of the product selection button 23 of the vending machine 1 for a product selection operation of a virtual product selection button 23a on a dummy stage operation screen DD of the vending machine 1 displayed on the mobile terminal 4. Examples of short-distance wireless communication include WiFi (registered trademark) and Bluetooth (registered trademark), but Bluetooth (registered trademark), and in particular BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication, is used from the viewpoint of power consumption.

[0053] 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.

[0054] The cooling device 31 is for managing the product storage inside the main cabinet in a set state. The cooling device 31 cools the inside of the product storage that is set to be cooled, and heats the inside of the product storage that is set to be heated.

[0055] The discharge device 32 is for managing the bend solenoid and sold-out switch 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. In addition, the discharge device 32 outputs a sold-out signal to the main body control unit 30 when all products stored in the rack have been discharged.

[0056] The coin mechanism 33, bill validator 34, remote control 35, electronic money reader / writer 36, product selection buttons 23 and display unit 24 have been described above, so description thereof will be omitted.

[0057] The vending machine main control unit 10 has a sales control unit 11 and a memory unit 12. The sales control unit 11 performs dispensing of the product selected by the product selection button 23, settlement processing, etc. In addition, the vending machine main control unit 10 notifies and downloads sales data, setting data, etc., between the management server 2 and the external communication unit 21.

[0058] The storage unit 12 has management information D1. The management information D1 has product information D2, product selection button numbers D3, and button layout information D4. The product selection button numbers D3 and the button layout information D4 are button configuration information D10.

[0059] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a part of an example of management information D1. As shown in FIG. 3, management information D1 manages product management contents such as product column, product price, product selection button number D3, sales, and other setting items by linking them to an SKU number indicating the minimum management unit (SKU: Stock Keeping Unit) that combines a product code before sale that is previously assigned to a product and a cold / hot state at the time of sale. The SKU number and product price are product information D2. In addition, button arrangement information D4 is stored in management information D1. The button arrangement information D4 indicates the arrangement state of product selection buttons 23 on the front surface of vending machine 1 by rows and columns, and the button arrangement information D4 of vending machine 1 is 3 rows and 10 columns. The product selection button number D3 and button arrangement information D4 constitute button configuration information 10.

[0060] <Mobile terminal control system> 2, the mobile terminal 4 has an operation display unit 41, an external communication unit 42, a short-range wireless communication unit 43, a storage unit 44, and a control unit 45. The operation display unit 41 is, for example, a touch panel type liquid crystal display device, and is an input / output interface for inputting and displaying various data, for example, displaying a dummy stage operation screen DD. The external communication unit 42 is a communication interface that communicates with the management server 2 via the network N using a communication method such as LTE (registered trademark), similar to the external communication unit 21. The short-range wireless communication unit 43 is, for example, a communication interface that performs short-range wireless communication with the vending machine 1 using a communication method such as WiFi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0061] The control unit 45 is a control unit that controls the entire mobile terminal 4, and includes a touchless control unit 46. The touchless control unit 46 receives the button configuration information D10 and the product information D2 from the touchless unit 22, generates a dummy stage operation screen DD, displays it on the operation display unit 41, and transmits the product selection button number of the virtual product selection button 23a selected on the dummy stage operation screen DD to the touchless unit. The touchless control unit 46 is realized, for example, as a touchless control application. This touchless control application may be incorporated into an existing vending machine application.

[0062] <Touchless unit control system> Fig. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the touchless unit 22. Fig. 4 also shows connected devices for explaining the operation of the touchless unit 22. As shown in Fig. 4, the touchless unit 22 is connected to the vending machine main control unit 10 via a serial communication line L. Each product selection button 23 and the display unit 24 are connected to the vending machine main control unit 10 via the serial communication line L. The touchless unit 22 is also directly connected to the external communication unit 21.

[0063] The touchless unit 22 has a control unit 25 that controls the entire touchless unit 22, and a short-range wireless communication unit 27. The control unit 25 has an emulation unit 26 that has a correspondence table T. The correspondence table T stores the correspondence between the product selection button number D3 and the button address that is the address of the product selection button 23. The button address is the address of each product selection button 23, and when a product selection button 23 is pressed, the product selection button number of the product selection button 23 is transmitted to the vending machine main control unit 10 using the button address of the pressed product selection button 23.

[0064] After short-range wireless communication with the mobile terminal 4 is established, the emulation unit 26 uses the correspondence table T to obtain a button address corresponding to the virtual product selection button number input from the mobile terminal 4, and using this button address, outputs to the vending machine main control unit 10 via the serial communication line L, in place of the product selection button 23, that the product selection button corresponding to the input product selection button number has been pressed.

[0065] In addition, after short-range wireless communication with the mobile terminal 4 is established, the control unit 25 obtains button configuration information D10 including the arrangement of the product selection buttons (button arrangement information D4) and the product selection button number D3 from the vending machine main control unit 10, and product information D2 corresponding to each product selection button 23, and notifies the mobile terminal 4.

[0066] In addition, the touchless unit 22 may store at least the button configuration information D10 and the product information D2 in advance, and immediately notify the mobile terminal 4 of the button configuration information D10 and the product information D2 after short-range wireless communication with the mobile terminal 4 is established.

[0067] The short-range wireless communication unit 27, like the short-range wireless communication unit 43, is a communication interface that performs short-range wireless communication with the vending machine 1 using a communication method such as WiFi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark), and in this case performs BLE communication with the short-range wireless communication unit 43.

[0068] FIG. 4 shows an example of a dummy stage operation screen DD displayed on the mobile terminal 4. The dummy stage operation screen DD displays a virtual product selection button 23a corresponding to the arrangement of the product selection button 23 corresponding to the front of the vending machine 1, and displays a product image indicated by the product information D2 corresponding to the product selection button 23a. This product image is a simple product image generated based on the product information D2. When the product selection button 23a is pressed, the same information as when the product selection button 23 is pressed is output to the vending machine main control unit 10 via the touchless unit 22. This allows a product selection operation to be performed without pressing the product selection button 23 that many people touch. Note that the dummy stage operation screen DD is smaller than the size of the front of the actual vending machine 1, so that it may be difficult to select the product selection button 23. Therefore, the entire product image corresponding to the product selection button 23 may be used as the pressing area of ​​the product selection button 23. Also, instead of the product selection button 23, product information may be displayed and desired product information may be selected. In this case, the product information is linked to the product selection button 23.

[0069] <Touchless pressing of product selection buttons using a mobile device> Fig. 5 is a sequence diagram showing a process of touchless pressing of the product selection button 23 using the mobile terminal 4 in the vending machine system 100 of this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 5, first, the mobile terminal 4 and the touchless unit 22 establish communication by BLE communication (step S100). After that, the touchless unit 22 acquires the button configuration information D10 and the product information D2 from the vending machine main control unit 10 (step S110). Then, the touchless unit 22 notifies the mobile terminal 4 of the acquired button configuration information D10 and the product information D2 (step S120).

[0070] The mobile terminal 4 generates a dummy stage operation screen DD using the notified button configuration information D10 and product information D2, and displays it on the operation display unit 41 (step S130). After that, when the virtual product selection button 23a on the dummy stage operation screen DD or a product image corresponding to the virtual product selection button 23a is pressed (step S140), the mobile terminal 4 notifies the touchless unit 22 of the product selection button number D3 of the pressed product selection button 23a (step S150). The touchless unit 22 that receives this product selection button number D3 refers to the correspondence table T to obtain a button address corresponding to the input product selection button number D3 (step S160), and outputs button press information (button ON / OFF information) of the pressed product selection button number D3 to the vending machine main control unit 10 using this button address (step S170). After that, when the payment is completed, the vending machine main control unit 10 carries out the product corresponding to the product selection button number D3 from the product rack.

[0071] As described above, if the touchless unit 22 stores the button configuration information D10 and the product information D2 in advance, step S110 is omitted.

[0072] <Variation 1> In the above embodiment, the touchless unit 22 held by the vending machine main control unit 10 or the touchless unit 22 notifies the mobile terminal 4 of the button configuration information D10 and product information D2, and generates a dummy stage operation screen DD based on this button configuration information D10 and product information D2.

[0073] In this first modification, the management server 2 notifies the mobile terminal 4 of vending machine configuration information D20 including button configuration information D10 and product information D2 held by the management server 2. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing a process procedure for touchlessly pressing the product selection button 23 using the mobile terminal 4 in the vending machine system 100 of this first modification. As shown in FIG. 6, first, the mobile terminal 4 and the touchless unit 22 establish communication by BLE communication (step S100). After that, the touchless unit 22 acquires vending machine identification information from the vending machine main control unit 10 (S101). The touchless unit 22 notifies the mobile terminal 4 of the acquired vending machine identification information (step S102).

[0074] Thereafter, the mobile terminal 4 notifies the management server 2 of the vending machine identification information via the external communication unit 42 and acquires the vending machine configuration information D20 corresponding to the vending machine identification information (step S103). Thereafter, the mobile terminal 4 performs the processes of steps S130 to S170 in the same manner as in the embodiment.

[0075] Since this vending machine configuration information D20 includes detailed color product images, the mobile terminal 4 can generate a dummy stage operation screen DD that is almost identical to the actual stage, improving the visibility of the products.

[0076] <Variation 2> In the above-mentioned variant example 1, the mobile terminal 4 directly accessed the management server 2 to obtain the vending machine configuration information D20, but in this variant example 2, the vending machine configuration information D20 is obtained via the external communication unit 21 of the vending machine 1.

[0077] Fig. 7 is a sequence diagram showing the procedure of the touchless pressing process of the product selection button 23 using the mobile terminal 4 in the vending machine system 100 of the present modified example 2. As shown in Fig. 7, first, the mobile terminal 4 and the touchless unit 22 establish communication by BLE communication (step S100). After that, the touchless unit 22 acquires the vending machine configuration information D20 from the management server 2 via the external communication unit 21 (step S104). Then, the touchless unit 22 notifies the mobile terminal 4 of the acquired vending machine configuration information D20 (step S105). After that, the processes of steps S130 to S170 are performed in the same manner as in the embodiment and modified example 1.

[0078] In the present modified example 2, since the mobile terminal 4 does not need to access the management server 2, the burden of communication costs and the like on the user is eliminated.

[0079] <Variation 3> In the above-mentioned modified example 2, the vending machine configuration information D20 is obtained from the management server 2 via the external communication unit 21 and the touchless unit 22, and the mobile terminal 4 generates the dummy stage operation screen DD. In the present modified example 3, the external communication unit 21 obtains the vending machine configuration information D20 from the management server 3 in advance, generates dummy stage information for the dummy stage operation screen DD, and further generates product information, each of which is stored in a storage unit, and upon request from the touchless unit 22, transmits the dummy stage information and product information to the mobile terminal 4 via the touchless unit 22.

[0080] 8 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the touchless unit 22 according to the third modification. The touchless unit 22 is directly connected to the external communication unit 21. The external communication unit 21 has an external communication unit 71 that communicates with the management server 3, as well as a control unit 72 and a storage unit 75. The control unit 72 has a dummy stage generation unit and a product information generation unit 74. The dummy stage generation unit 73 acquires the vending machine configuration information D20 in advance by communicating with the management server 3, generates the dummy stage operation screen DD in advance, and stores the generated dummy stage information in the storage unit 75. In addition, the product information generation unit 74 acquires the product information in advance by communicating with the management server 3, acquires the product information D2, and stores the product information D2 in the storage unit 75.

[0081] FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing a touchless pressing process procedure of the product selection button 23 using the mobile terminal 4 in the vending machine system 100 of the present modified example 3. As shown in FIG. 9, first, the mobile terminal 4 and the touchless unit 22 establish communication by BLE communication (step S100). Then, the touchless unit 22 acquires dummy stage information and product information stored in the external communication unit 21 (step S104a). Then, the touchless unit 22 notifies the acquired dummy stage information and product information to the mobile terminal 4 (step S105a). Then, the mobile terminal 4 immediately displays the dummy stage operation screen DD using the acquired dummy stage information and product information (step S130a). Then, the mobile terminal 4 performs the processes of steps S140 to S170 in the same manner as in the embodiment and modified example 2.

[0082] In the present third modification, the external communication unit 21 generates the dummy stage operation screen in advance, so that the load on the mobile terminal 4 can be reduced.

[0083] <Modification 4> In the above-mentioned variant 1, the touchless unit 22 obtains the vending machine identification information from the vending machine main control unit 10, whereas in this variant 4, the mobile terminal 4 obtains the vending machine identification information by reading a vending machine identification graphic code that is attached or displayed on the vending machine 1 and has the vending machine identification information embedded therein.

[0084] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing the procedure of the touchless pressing process of the product selection button 23 using the mobile terminal 4 in the vending machine system 100 of the present modified example 4. As shown in FIG. 10, first, the mobile terminal 4 and the touchless unit 22 establish communication by BLE communication (step S100). After that, the touchless unit 22 acquires the vending machine identification information by reading the vending machine identification graphic code (step S101a). After that, the mobile terminal 4 acquires the vending machine configuration information D20 from the management server 2 using the acquired vending machine identification information (step S103). After that, the processes of steps S130 to S170 are performed in the same manner as in the embodiment and modified examples 1 and 2.

[0085] In the fourth modified example, the mobile terminal 4 does not need to access the management server 2, and therefore the user is not required to bear communication costs and the like.

[0086] <Variation 5> In the above embodiment, the touchless unit 22 acquires the button configuration information D10 and product information D2 from the vending machine main control unit 10 or the touchless unit 22 and notifies the mobile terminal 4, but in this variant example 5, the mobile terminal 4 directly reads the configuration information graphic code in which the button configuration information D10 and product information D2 are embedded to acquire the button configuration information D10 and product information D2.

[0087] Fig. 11 is a sequence diagram showing the procedure of touchless pressing of the product selection button 23 using the mobile terminal 4 in the vending machine system 100 of the present modified example 5. As shown in Fig. 11, first, the mobile terminal 4 and the touchless unit 22 establish communication by BLE communication (step S100). After that, the mobile terminal 4 reads the configuration information graphic code to acquire the button configuration information D10 and the product information D2 (step S106). After that, the processes of steps S130 to S170 are performed in the same manner as in the embodiment and the modified example.

[0088] The button configuration information D10 and product information D2 embedded in the configuration information graphic code indicate the internal configuration of the vending machine 1, and it is preferable to encrypt and embed the button configuration information D10 and product information D2. On the other hand, when the mobile terminal 4 reads the configuration information graphic code, it performs a decryption process to obtain the button configuration information D10 and product information D2.

[0089] Because the configuration information graphic code is encrypted, the button configuration information D10 and the product information D2 cannot be obtained even if the code is read by a normal code reading application.

[0090] <Variation 6> In the above embodiments and variants, button configuration information D10 and product information D2, or vending machine configuration information D20 are acquired to generate a dummy stage operation screen DD, but in variant 6, a front image including a product sample D and product selection button 23 on the front of an actual vending machine 1 is acquired, and this front image is subjected to image processing to generate a dummy stage operation screen DD.

[0091] FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram showing the touchless pressing process procedure of the product selection button 23 using the mobile terminal 4 in the vending machine system 100 of the present modified example 6. As shown in FIG. 12, first, the mobile terminal 4 and the touchless unit 22 establish communication by BLE communication (step S100). After that, the mobile terminal 4 captures and acquires an image of the front of the vending machine 1, that is, a stage image (step S107). Then, the mobile terminal 4 processes the acquired stage image to generate a dummy stage operation screen DD and displays it on the operation display unit 41 (step S130). Thereafter, the processes of steps S140 to S170 are performed in the same manner as in the embodiment and modified examples.

[0092] When generating the dummy stage operation screen from the stage image, a high-speed image processing function on the cloud may be used in place of the mobile terminal 4.

[0093] <Variation 7> In the above-described embodiment and variants, a product is selected by pressing the product selection button 23a on the dummy stage operation screen DD once. In variant 7, however, when the product selection button 23a is pressed a first time, the corresponding product selection button 23 on the vending machine 1 flashes, and when the product selection button 23a is pressed a second time, a message indicating that the product selection button has been pressed is output to the vending machine main control unit 10, thereby preventing erroneous operation of the product selection button 23a.

[0094] FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing the touchless pressing process procedure of the product selection button 23 using the mobile terminal 4 in the vending machine system 100 of the seventh modified example. As shown in FIG. 13, steps S100 to S130 are the same as those in the embodiment. After that, when the product selection button 23a is pressed for the first time (step S140), the product selection button number corresponding to the product selection button 23a is notified to the touchless unit 22 (step S150). The touchless unit 22 acquires the lamp address of the lamp such as an LED corresponding to the product selection button 23 (step S151). Then, the touchless unit 22 uses this lamp address to output a lamp blinking instruction to the lamp in the product selection button 23 to blink the lamp of the pressed product selection button (step S152). The lamp in the product selection button 23 that has received this lamp blinking instruction blinks the lamp (step S153). This allows the user to visually recognize the blinking of the product selection button 23 of the vending machine 1 and determine whether the selected product selection button is the desired button or not. In addition, because the touchless unit 22 controls the blinking of this lamp directly, without going through the vending machine main control unit 10, there is no need to change the software of the vending machine main control unit 10.

[0095] Thereafter, when the second product selection button 23a, which is the same as the first one, or a product image corresponding to the virtual product selection button 23a is pressed (step S160), the mobile terminal 4 notifies the touchless unit 22 of the selected product selection button number (step S170). The touchless unit 22, which has received the second product selection button signal, refers to the correspondence table T to acquire the button address of the selected product selection button 23 (step S171), and notifies the vending machine main control unit 10 of the button press information (button ON / OFF information) of the pressed product selection button number using this button address (step S172). Then, the vending machine main control unit 10, which has received the button press information, outputs a lamp turn-on instruction to turn on the lamp in the product selection button 23 indicated by the button press information (step S173). The lamp in the product selection button 23 that has received this lamp turn-on instruction turns on the lamp (step S174). This switches the lamp from flashing to lighting.

[0096] <Variation 8> In the above embodiment and modified examples, it is assumed that when establishing communication between the mobile terminal 4 and the touchless unit 22, the touchless unit 22 always performs advertising to periodically transmit management information. In this modified example 8, as shown in FIG. 14, a communication address graphic code in which the communication address of the short-range wireless communication unit 27 of the touchless unit 22 is embedded is attached or displayed on the vending machine 1, and the mobile terminal 4 reads this communication address graphic code to obtain the communication address (step S200). After that, the mobile terminal 4 uses this communication address to establish communication with the touchless unit 22 (step S210). By using this communication address, communication can be established quickly.

[0097] <Variation 9> In the above-described embodiment and modification, when establishing communication between the mobile terminal 4 and the touchless unit 22, it is assumed that the touchless unit 22 always performs advertising to transmit management information periodically. In the present modification 9, as shown in Fig. 15, the mobile terminal 4 performs advertising as a peripheral (step S201). After that, communication is established between the mobile terminal 4 and the touchless unit 22 that has received this advertising (step S210).

[0098] <Modification 10> In this variant example 9, the vending machine 1 is equipped with a human presence sensor (not shown) that detects the approach of a person, and when the touchless unit 22 detects the approach of a person by the human presence sensor, the touchless unit 22 performs advertising and establishes communication with the mobile terminal 4.

[0099] 16, first, when the vending machine main control unit 10 detects a person by the human sensor (step S202), it notifies the touchless unit 22 of a human detection signal (step S203). The touchless unit 22 that receives the human detection signal starts advertising (step S204). After that, communication is established between the mobile terminal 4 and the touchless unit 22 (step S210).

[0100] This eliminates the need for the touchless unit 22 to constantly perform advertising, thereby reducing power consumption.

[0101] <Modification 11> In the above embodiment and modified examples, the vending machine has been described assuming that a product is selected by pressing multiple product selection buttons corresponding to each product, but the vending machine may also be one in which the product is selected using numeric input keys.

[0102] The numeric input keys are numeric keys arranged on the front of the vending machine, and include a confirmation key, a correction key, etc. Each product is assigned a product number, and the assigned numbers are displayed on the front of the vending machine corresponding to the product. Pressing a product selection button on a vending machine equipped with numeric input keys corresponds to pressing a numeric input key. After short-range wireless communication with the mobile terminal 4 is established, the touchless unit 22 uses the address of the numeric input key to output to the vending machine main control unit 10 that the input number entered from the mobile terminal 4 has been selected.

[0103] In this case, since the product number is displayed in association with the product on the front of the vending machine, the mobile terminal 4 only needs to display the numeric input keys. The numeric input keys do not need to be arranged in the same manner as the numeric input keys (ten-key pad) provided on the vending machine 1, as long as numbers can be input.

[0104] <Modification 12> The dummy stage operation screen in the above embodiment and modified example was an operation screen corresponding to the front of the vending machine 1, but this is not limited thereto. The mobile terminal 4 may display products by category based on the product information in the vending machine configuration information, regardless of the front arrangement of the products on the vending machine 1. For example, only coffee-based drinks (black, slightly sweetened, cocoa, milk coffee, etc.) may be displayed, or only water and tea may be displayed, or only carbonated drinks (cola, cider, ginger ale, etc.) may be displayed. Also, the drinks may be arranged and displayed together according to category.

[0105] In this case, the mobile terminal 4 may register in advance the categories to be displayed, and display only the products in the registered categories.

[0106] <Modification 13> When the mobile terminal 4 reads the connection condition information graphic code displayed on the vending machine 1 and embedded with the connection condition information, which is the service information and the vending machine identification information (the device address of the touchless unit 22), to establish communication with the touchless unit 22, and when the touchless unit 22 transmits a BLE advertising packet, the mobile terminal 4 needs to confirm that the service information and the device address of the connection condition information graphic code match in the advertising with the BLE. The service information is a service provided by the vending machine 1, such as a graphic code payment using the mobile terminal 4, a point payment, a coupon payment, etc. The confirmation of the connection condition information, which is the service information and the device address, is for the purpose of reliably connecting to only the vending machine that reads the connection condition information graphic code when multiple vending machines are adjacent to each other.

[0107] Note that the touchless unit 22 holds connection determination information for the mobile terminal 4 to determine connection with the touchless unit 22 when establishing a BLE connection with the mobile terminal 4. The connection determination information includes the device name of the touchless unit 22, radio wave level, service information, device address, target address of the connection destination such as the mobile terminal 4, manufacturer information of the vending machine, etc., and among this connection determination information, the device address and service information are the above-mentioned connection condition information, and are embedded in the connection condition information graphic code.

[0108] Fig. 17 is a sequence diagram showing a communication establishment process procedure between the mobile terminal 4 and the touchless unit 22 according to the modified example 13. As shown in Fig. 17, first, the mobile terminal 4 reads the connection condition information graphic code displayed on the vending machine 1 (step S300). Then, the mobile terminal 4 holds the service information and device address of the read connection condition information graphic code, and sets the service information and device address as scan conditions (step S310).

[0109] After that, the mobile terminal 4 receives an advertisement packet from the touchless unit 22 (step S320). This advertisement packet includes a device name. When the mobile terminal 4 receives the advertisement packet, it transmits a scan request to the touchless unit 22 to acquire service information, which is one of the scan conditions (step S330), and acquires the service information as a scan response (step S340). Furthermore, the mobile terminal 4 transmits a scan request to the touchless unit 22 to acquire a device address, which is one of the scan conditions (step S350), and acquires the device address as a scan response (step S360).

[0110] The mobile terminal 4 then determines whether the service information and device address indicated by the set scan condition (retained connection condition information) match the service information and device address acquired in the scan response (step S370). If they do not match (step S370: No), the process proceeds to step S330 to repeat the scan request, and if they match (step S370: Yes), the mobile terminal 4 determines that the vending machine 1 is a target for purchasing a product and sends a connection request to the touchless unit 22 (step S380) to establish communication. Then, BLE data transmission and reception is performed between the mobile terminal 4 and the touchless unit 22 (step S390).

[0111] This makes it possible to prevent communication connection with vending machines other than the one from which the product is to be purchased for which the connection condition information graphic code has been read, and also makes it possible to quickly establish communication connection with the vending machine.

[0112] The connection condition information may be only the device address. In this case, the scan request is only for obtaining the device address.

[0113] <Modification 14> In the above-mentioned variation 13, a scan request is made to obtain service information and a device address, but in this variation 14, the service information is added to the advertisement packet and sent. As a result, the service information is added to the device name in the advertisement packet. This makes it possible to obtain service information without making a scan request for the service information, which reduces the number of scan requests and enables quick communication establishment.

[0114] Fig. 18 is a sequence diagram showing a communication establishment process procedure between the mobile terminal 4 and the touchless unit 22 according to the modification 14. As shown in Fig. 18, first, the mobile terminal 4 reads the connection condition information graphic code displayed on the vending machine 1 (step S400). Then, the mobile terminal 4 sets the service information and device address of the read connection condition information graphic code as scan conditions (step S410).

[0115] After that, the mobile terminal 4 receives an advertisement packet to which service information is added from the touchless unit 22 (step S420), and then determines whether the service information, which is one of the scan conditions, matches the service information added to the advertisement packet (step S430). If they do not match (step S430: No), the mobile terminal 4 proceeds to step S420 and further receives the advertisement packet. On the other hand, if they match (step S430: Yes), the mobile terminal 4 transmits a scan request to the touchless unit 22 to obtain a device address, which is the remaining scan condition (step S440), and obtains the device address as a scan response (step S450).

[0116] The mobile terminal 4 then determines whether the set device address matches the device address acquired in the scan response (step S460). If they do not match (step S460: No), the process proceeds to step S440 to repeat the scan request, and if they match (step S460: Yes), the mobile terminal 4 determines that the vending machine 1 is a target for purchasing a product and sends a connection request to the touchless unit 22 (step S470) to establish communication. Then, BLE data transmission and reception is performed between the mobile terminal 4 and the touchless unit 22 (step S480).

[0117] The above connection condition information is an example, and may be only the device address, or may include other connection condition information.

[0118] <Variation 15> In the above-mentioned modified examples 14 and 15, the connection condition information obtained by reading the connection condition information graphical code is set as the scan condition and a scan request is made, but depending on the mobile terminal 4, the connection condition information obtained by reading the connection condition information graphical code may not be set as the scan condition. In such a case, although there is advertising from each touchless unit of each vending machine, scanning is performed unconditionally because the scan condition cannot be set. In this modified example 15, in such a case, the scan results obtained by advertising with each touchless unit are stored as a scan result list, and a connection request is made to a touchless unit whose connection condition information obtained by reading the connection condition information graphical code matches the information in each scan result list, and communication is established.

[0119] Fig. 19 is a sequence diagram showing a process for establishing communication between the mobile terminal 4 and the touchless unit 22 according to the modified example 15. As shown in Fig. 19, first, the mobile terminal 4 reads the connection condition information graphic code displayed on the vending machine 1, and retains the service information and device address of the read connection condition information graphic code (step S500).

[0120] After that, the mobile terminal 4 receives an advertising packet from the touchless unit 22 or another touchless unit 22'. For example, the mobile terminal 4 receives an advertising packet from the touchless unit 22 (step S510). Then, it makes a scan request for the received advertising packet (step S520), receives a scan response from the touchless unit 22 (step S530), and generates the connection determination information received from the touchless unit 22 as a scan result list (step S540). Similarly, the mobile terminal 4 receives an advertising packet from the touchless unit 22' (step S550). Then, it makes a scan request for the received advertising packet (step S560), receives a scan response from the touchless unit 22' (step S570), and generates the connection determination information received from the touchless unit 22' as a scan result list (step S580).

[0121] After that, the mobile terminal 4 judges whether or not there is a scan result (connection determination information) that matches the connection condition information in each scan result list (step S590). If there is no scan result that matches the connection condition information (step S590: No), advertising with other touchless units is further performed to generate a scan result list. On the other hand, if there is a scan result that matches the connection condition information (step S590: Yes), a connection request is made to the touchless unit 22 that has the matching scan result (step S600) to establish communication. Then, BLE data is transmitted and received between the mobile terminal 4 and the touchless unit 22 (step S610). Note that FIG. 19 shows an example in which the touchless unit 22 reads the connection condition information graphic code of the vending machine.

[0122] In addition, in FIG. 19, after generating a scan result list for each advertising for touchless units 22, 22', it is determined whether or not there is a scan result that matches the connection condition information. However, this is not limited to this, and it may be determined whether or not there is a scan result that matches the connection condition information at the stage when a scan result list for each advertising is generated.

[0123] <Modification 16> However, depending on the mobile terminal 4, there may be cases where only specific connection determination information can be received as a scan result. For example, there is a mobile terminal 4 that can only receive device name and service information. In such a case, the mobile terminal 4 cannot acquire the device address, which is one of the connection condition information. For this reason, in this modification 16, as shown in FIG. 20, the device address, which is the connection condition information, is added to the advertisement packet and transmitted. The advertisement packet generally includes the device name, but the device address is further added within the range of the allowable information amount. This device address is added as a single piece of data, for example, with the high bit side being the device name and the low bit side being the device address.

[0124] When the service information of the connection condition information is a service name, for example, the service name may be added to the service information of the service response center.

[0125] That is, in this modification 16, in consideration of the case where the mobile terminal 4 side cannot receive the connection condition information, the touchless unit 22 side adds the connection condition information embedded in the connection condition information graphic code to the connection judgment information and transmits it. The connection condition information may be added in an advertisement packet or a scan response. Also, when there is a scan request for the connection condition information, the connection judgment information to which the connection condition information is added is returned.

[0126] In the above embodiment and modified examples, the vending machine 1 is explained on the assumption that it accepts a mixture of cash and cashless payments. However, in the case of a vending machine that only accepts cash payments, the touchless unit 22 may monitor that coins are inserted and that an amount display signal is sent to the display unit 24 via the serial communication line L, and when the amount display signal is sent, advertising is performed to establish communication between the mobile terminal 4 and the touchless unit 22.

[0127] In addition, the configurations illustrated in the above embodiments and modifications are merely functional schematics, and are not necessarily physically configured as illustrated. 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 conditions, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0128] 1. Vending Machines 1a Main cabinet 1b Outer door 2 Management Server 4. Mobile devices 10 Vending machine main control unit 11 Sales Control Department 12,44,75 Storage section 21 External communication unit 22,22´ Touchless Unit 23,23a Product selection button 24 Display section 25,45,72 Control section 26 Emulation Section 27,43 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 42,71 External Communications Department 46 Touchless control unit 51 Coin slot 52 Return lever 53 Bill insertion slot 62 Outlet 63 Coin return slot 73 Dummy stage generator 74 Product information generation department 100 Vending Machine System 111 Pop-up handle 112 Exhibition room 114 Lighting board 115 Stages D Product sample D1 Management information D2 Product information D3 Product selection button number D4 Button layout information D10 Button configuration information D20 Vending Machine Configuration Information DD Dummy Stage Operation Screen L Serial communication line N Network T compatible table

Claims

1. A touchless unit is connected to a main control unit of a vending machine that sells a product selected by pressing a plurality of product selection buttons corresponding to a plurality of products, and is also connected to an external mobile terminal via short-range wireless communication, and replaces the pressing operation of the product selection buttons with a product selection operation of the mobile terminal, a short-range wireless communication unit that establishes short-range wireless communication with the mobile terminal; an emulation unit that, after short-distance wireless communication with the mobile terminal has been established, uses a correspondence table that stores correspondence between product selection button numbers and button addresses that are addresses of the product selection buttons, and outputs to the vending machine main control unit, using the button address that corresponds to the product selection button number input from the mobile terminal, that the product selection button corresponding to the product selection button number has been pressed; A touchless unit comprising:

2. The vending machine is provided with numeric input keys for selecting a product, the pressing of the product selection button in the vending machine is the pressing of the number input key, The touchless unit according to claim 1, characterized in that after short-range wireless communication with the mobile terminal is established, the emulation unit outputs to the vending machine main control unit, using the address of the numeric input key, that the input number entered from the mobile terminal has been selected.

3. A vending machine system including a vending machine that sells a product selected by pressing a plurality of product selection buttons corresponding to a plurality of products, and a mobile terminal capable of short-range wireless communication with the vending machine, The vending machine includes a touchless unit that performs short-distance wireless communication with the mobile terminal to replace a pressing operation of the product selection button with a product selection operation of the mobile terminal, After short-range wireless communication between the touchless unit and the mobile terminal is established, the touchless unit acquires vending machine configuration information from a vending machine main control unit of the vending machine, the vending machine configuration information including the arrangement of the product selection buttons and product selection button numbers, and product information corresponding to each product selection button, and notifies the mobile terminal of the vending machine; The mobile terminal displays a corresponding operation screen on the front surface of the vending machine based on the vending machine configuration information, and notifies the touchless unit of the product selection button number of the selected product; The touchless unit uses a correspondence table that stores the correspondence between product selection button numbers and button addresses that are the addresses of the product selection buttons, and uses the button address that corresponds to the product selection button number input from the mobile terminal to output to the vending machine main control unit that the product selection button corresponding to the product selection button number has been pressed.

4. The vending machine system according to claim 3, characterized in that the touchless unit stores the vending machine configuration information in advance, and notifies the mobile terminal of the vending machine configuration information after short-range wireless communication with the mobile terminal is established.

5. A vending machine system including a vending machine that sells a product selected by pressing a plurality of product selection buttons corresponding to a plurality of products, and a mobile terminal capable of short-range wireless communication with the vending machine, the vending machine includes a touchless unit that performs short-distance wireless communication with the mobile terminal to replace a pressing operation of the product selection button with a product selection operation of the mobile terminal; and displays a configuration information graphic code in which vending machine configuration information is embedded, the vending machine configuration information including button configuration information including an arrangement of the product selection buttons and product selection numbers, and product information corresponding to each product selection button; The mobile terminal reads the configuration information graphic code, and displays a corresponding operation screen on the front of the vending machine based on the vending machine configuration information, and after establishing short-range wireless communication with the touchless unit, notifies the touchless unit of the product selection button number of the selected product; The touchless unit uses a correspondence table that stores the correspondence between product selection button numbers and button addresses that are the addresses of the product selection buttons, and uses the button address that corresponds to the product selection button number input from the mobile terminal to output to a main control unit of the vending machine that the product selection button corresponding to the product selection button number has been pressed.

6. 6. The vending machine system according to claim 5, wherein the configuration information graphic code is encrypted.

7. A vending machine system including a vending machine that sells a product selected by pressing a plurality of product selection buttons corresponding to a plurality of products, and a mobile terminal capable of short-range wireless communication with the vending machine, The vending machine includes a touchless unit that performs short-distance wireless communication with the mobile terminal to replace a pressing operation of the product selection button with a product selection operation of the mobile terminal, the mobile terminal acquires a front image of the vending machine including the product selection button and the product, generates and displays an operation screen based on the acquired front image, establishes short-range wireless communication with the touchless unit, and then notifies the touchless unit of the product selection button number of the selected product; The touchless unit uses a correspondence table that stores the correspondence between product selection button numbers and button addresses that are the addresses of the product selection buttons, and uses the button address that corresponds to the product selection button number input from the mobile terminal to output to a main control unit of the vending machine that the product selection button corresponding to the product selection button number has been pressed.

8. The vending machine system according to any one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that when the touchless unit receives a first press of a product selection button on the operation screen of the mobile terminal, it causes the corresponding product selection button on the vending machine to flash, and when it receives a second press of the product selection button on the operation screen, it outputs press information of the product selection button to the vending machine main control unit.

9. the vending machine displays a communication address graphic code indicating a near field wireless communication address of the touchless unit; The vending machine system according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the mobile terminal reads the communication address graphic code to establish communication with the touchless unit.

10. The vending machine system according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the mobile terminal performs advertising to establish communication with the touchless unit.

11. the vending machine displays a connection condition information graphic code indicating predetermined connection condition information among connection determination information used for connecting to the touchless unit; The touchless unit transmits an advertising packet; The vending machine system of any one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the mobile terminal reads the connection condition information graphic code to set connection condition information for a scan request with the touchless unit, makes a scan request based on the set connection condition information to obtain connection condition information, and establishes a communication connection with the touchless unit if the set connection condition information matches the obtained connection condition information.

12. A part of the connection condition information is added to the advertisement packet, The vending machine system of claim 11, characterized in that if a portion of the connection condition information added to the advertising packet matches the connection condition information indicated by the connection condition information graphical code, the mobile terminal makes a scan request to obtain other connection condition information, and if the obtained other connection condition information matches the connection condition information indicated by the connection condition information graphical code, the mobile terminal establishes a communication connection with the touchless unit.

13. The vending machine system according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that if the mobile terminal is unable to set connection condition information for the scan request, the mobile terminal retains the scan result of the scan response, and repeatedly sends a scan request for the advertising packet until the scan result matches the connection condition information, and if the scan result matches the connection condition information, establishes a communication connection with the touchless unit.

14. The vending machine system according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the touchless unit adds the connection condition information to connection determination information contained in the advertising packet and / or the scan response to the scan request and transmits the connection condition information.

15. The vending machine system according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the connection condition information is a device address and service information of the touchless unit.

16. The vending machine includes a human presence sensor that detects the proximity of a person, The vending machine system according to any one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the touchless unit performs advertising and establishes communication with the mobile terminal when the human presence sensor detects the approach of a person.

17. The vending machine only accepts cash payments, The vending machine system described in any one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the touchless unit monitors whether an amount display signal indicating the amount of inserted coins is transmitted to a display unit, and when the amount display signal is transmitted, performs advertising to establish communication with the mobile terminal.

18. The vending machine is provided with numeric input keys for selecting a product, the pressing of the product selection button in the vending machine is the pressing of the number input key, the mobile terminal outputs the numeric input keys as the operation screen; The vending machine system according to any one of claims 3 to 17, characterized in that after short-range wireless communication with the mobile terminal is established, the touchless unit uses the address of the numeric input keys to output to the vending machine main control unit that the input number entered from the mobile terminal has been selected.

19. 19. The vending machine system according to claim 18, wherein the portable terminal outputs only the numeric input keys as the operation screen.

20. 7. The vending machine system according to claim 3, wherein the mobile terminal displays products by category on the operation screen based on the product information.

21. 21. The vending machine system according to claim 20, wherein the mobile terminal registers the category to be displayed in advance, and displays products in the registered category.

Images