VENDING MACHINE ORDERING

• US 20120310408A1
• Filed: 06/02/2011
• Published: 12/06/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cumulocity GmbH (Software AG)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Solutions and Networks US LLC (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: STACHE, Oliver Joerg, Solano Tarroc, Antonio, Cronstrom, Andreas Nils Walter, Cabaco, Susana Margarida Cardim, Dias Do Naschiento Pergira Camilo, Tiago Andre, Czernous, Damian
• Application Number:
  US13/151,402
• Publication Number:
  US 20120310408A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/237
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/322 Aspects of commerce using mobile devices [M-devices]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/325 using wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/327 Short range or proximity payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/001 Interfacing with vending machines using mobile or wearable devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines

Abstract

A method is described in which a user places an order for a vending machine product, typically when the user is not located at the vending machine. The order is associated with a mobile communication device of the user, for example by providing the telephone number of the device, or by simply placing the order using the mobile communication device. The user presents the mobile communication device at the vending machine to identify the order at the vending machine. The vending machine then dispenses the product.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

placing an order for a vending machine product;

associating the order with a mobile communication device; and

using the mobile communication device to identify the order at the vending machine in order to complete the order.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein using the mobile communication device to identify the order comprises presenting the mobile communication device to a near-field communication interface at the vending machine.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein placing the order for a vending machine product is carried out using the said mobile communication device.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein payment for the order is made at a server remote from the vending machine.

5. A mobile communication device, comprising:

a first interface configured to communicate with a server to place an order for a vending machine product; and

a second interface configured to communicate with the vending machine to identify the order at the vending machine in order to complete the order.

6. A mobile communication device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second interface is a near-field communication interface.

7. A method, comprising:

receiving data from a server regarding a product ordered by a user;

receiving identification data from the server identifying a mobile communication device of the user;

obtaining identification details of a presented mobile communication device;

determining whether the identification details of the presented mobile communication device match the identification data received from the server; and

if the presented mobile communication device matches the identification data received from the server, dispensing the ordered product.

8. A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the obtaining identification details of the presented mobile communication device uses a near-field communication link.

9. A method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising reserving the ordered product for the user.

10. A method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising informing the server that the product has been dispensed.

11. A vending machine, comprising:

a first communication interface;

a second communication interface; and

a product dispenser, wherein

the first communication interface is configured to communicate with a server for receiving order information identifying a product ordered by a user and identifying a mobile communication device of the user, the second communication interface is configured to receive identification details of a mobile communication device presented at the vending machine, and wherein the product dispenser is configured to dispense the ordered product in the event that the mobile communication device presented at the vending machine matches the mobile communication device of the user.

12. A vending machine as claimed in claim 11, wherein the second communication interface comprises a near-field communication link.

13. A vending machine as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a processor for determining whether the mobile communication device presented at the vending machine matches the mobile communication device of the user.

14. A vending machine as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a third interface for informing the server that the product has been dispensed.

15. A method, comprising:

receiving an order for a vending machine product from a user;

associating the order with a mobile communication device of the user;

sending order information to the vending machine, wherein the order information includes details of the product and details of the mobile communication device.

16. A method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising receiving payment for the ordered product.

17. A method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising presenting information to the user regarding one or more available vending machines and/or one or more available products.

18. A server, comprising:

a first input for receiving an order for a vending machine product from a user;

a processor for associating the order with a mobile communication device of the user;

a first output for sending order information to the vending machine, wherein the order information includes details of the product and details of the mobile communication device.

19. A server as claimed in claim 18, further comprising a payment module configured to obtain payment for the ordered product from the user.

20. A server as claimed in claim 18, further comprising a second output for providing information to the user regarding one or more available vending machine and/or one or more available products.

21. A computer program product embodied on a computer-readable medium, said computer program including instructions which, when run on a processor, control said processor to perform:

placing an order for a vending machine product;

associating the order with a mobile communication device; and

using the mobile communication device to identify the order at the vending machine in order to complete the order.

22. A computer program product embodied on a computer-readable medium, said computer program including instructions which, when run on a processor, control said processor to perform:

receiving data from a server regarding a product ordered by a user;

receiving identification data from the server identifying a mobile communication device of the user;

obtaining identification details of a presented mobile communication device;

determining whether the identification details of the presented mobile communication device match the identification data received from the server; and

if the presented mobile communication device matches the identification data received from the server, dispensing the ordered product.

23. A computer program product embodied on a computer-readable medium, said computer program including instructions which, when run on a processor, control said processor to perform:

receiving an order for a vending machine product from a user;

associating the order with a mobile communication device of the user; and

sending order information to the vending machine, wherein the order information includes details of the product and details of the mobile communication device.