Mobile device assisted retail system and process in a vending unit, retail display or automated retail store
First Claim
1. A method for vending products within a vending machine to a user, the vending machine comprising a display module containing products to be vended, the display module physically comprising a plurality of physical displays in which products to be vended are visibly housed, a computer for activating and controlling the display module and receiving and processing user requests from a plurality of mobile devices;
- software for controlling the computer; and
a visual display for inputting user data and selections, the method comprising the steps of;
receiving user data or selections input at the visual display of the vending machine, wherein the user selections correspond to products to be vended from the vending machine;
transmitting information to a plurality of mobile devices that generates a virtual screen on the mobile device display screen comprising virtual representations of the physical displays of the vending machine arranged in at least one recognizable pattern, whereby images appearing on the virtual screen selected and viewed by the user correspond to actual items available in the plurality of physical displays of the display module of the vending machine, andreceiving user requests from a plurality of mobile devices, wherein the user requests correspond to products to be vended from the vending machine.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for users of an automated retail store, vending unit, digital signage or interactive retail display (self-service units) to interact with such display/unit, collectively referred to in this text as a machine, directly and/or simultaneously using a one or more mobile devices. In addition, system and methods are provided that can recognize registered users within a set proximity to the machine and broadcast messages and notifications such as machine information, inventory information, rewards, discounts and free products, all of which could be tailored to the specific user based on understanding gathered through analysis of prior interactions.
29 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A method for vending products within a vending machine to a user, the vending machine comprising a display module containing products to be vended, the display module physically comprising a plurality of physical displays in which products to be vended are visibly housed, a computer for activating and controlling the display module and receiving and processing user requests from a plurality of mobile devices;
- software for controlling the computer; and
a visual display for inputting user data and selections, the method comprising the steps of;receiving user data or selections input at the visual display of the vending machine, wherein the user selections correspond to products to be vended from the vending machine; transmitting information to a plurality of mobile devices that generates a virtual screen on the mobile device display screen comprising virtual representations of the physical displays of the vending machine arranged in at least one recognizable pattern, whereby images appearing on the virtual screen selected and viewed by the user correspond to actual items available in the plurality of physical displays of the display module of the vending machine, and receiving user requests from a plurality of mobile devices, wherein the user requests correspond to products to be vended from the vending machine. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
- software for controlling the computer; and
Specification