GB2619003A

GB2619003A - Automated retail machine, systems and methods

Info

Publication number: GB2619003A
Application number: GB2207145.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Palas Charalambos; Vicente Jason; Vieira Daniel
Original assignee: Aeguana Ltd
Current assignee: Aeguana Ltd
Priority date: 2022-05-16
Filing date: 2022-05-16
Publication date: 2023-11-29
Also published as: GB202207145D0

Abstract

An automated retail machine 100 comprises a communication interface for communicating with a first server 200, a display screen 120 for displaying information to a user, and a controller 150 controlling the display screen 120 to display an access code, such as a QR code, and receive a session request from the first server 200 through the communication interface 140 to initiate a remote-retail session with the first server 200 based on the access code 122. The session may be initiated by accessing a URL specified by the QR code captured using the camera of a mobile device. The server may verify the access code received via the mobile device and consequently transmit the session request to the retail machine. A portion of a manual user input interface may be disabled when the retail session is initiated, which is indicated on the display screen.

Description

AUTOMATED RETAIL MACHINE, SYSTEMS AND METHODS The Applicant gratefully acknowledges funding received under the IP Access programme of the UK Intellectual Property Office in relation to the present invention.

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an automated retail machine, automated retail systems, and methods of operation.

Background

Automated retail machines are known for providing self-service to a user by automating transactions. For example, a vending machine may dispense to a user a food item or a beverage upon receipt of payment.

A transaction with a known automated retail machine may require a user to initiate a transaction using provided input means, e.g. a touchscreen, of the machine. The user may select a desired article or service using the input means. The user may then be requested to provide payment, for example by inserting money or a payment card into the machine. Payment may be provided using the same input means as used for selection or may utilise dedicated payment input means for payment transactions.

The input means is engaged by all users of the automated retail machine when interacting with said machine. Similarly, the dedicated payment input means, where provided, is engaged by all users when making payment. As a result, these input means may become unhygienic. This may put off certain individuals from interacting with the automated retail machine, which result in a decline of sales, and may expose those interacting with the machine to any contamination present, which may be particularly problematic where the user has purchased a food item or a beverage and proceeds with dirtied hands to handle and consume said food item or beverage.

The present invention has been devised in light of the above considerations. 25 Summary of the Invention The observed deficit relating to hygiene may be addressed by an automated retail machine capable of remote operation.

According to the present invention, there is provided an automated retail machine comprising a communication interface for communicating with a server system; a display screen for displaying information to a user; and a controller configured to control the display screen to display an access code.

The controller is further configured to receive a session request from the server system through the communication interface to initiate a remote-retail session with the server system based on the access code.

By means of the access code displayed by the automated retail machine, a user may interact with said machine through the server system, for example using a personal smartphone or similar device. Thereby the user may avoid manually engaging with the automated retail machine, reducing exposure to any contamination on the machine.

The access code, e.g. a unique token, provides information by means of which the remote-retail session can be established with the automated retail machine. For example, the access code may be a randomly generated alphanumeric sequence, such as a password/passcode. In some examples, the access code is a URL uniquely associated with the automated retail machine such that accessing the URL establishes the remote-retail session.

In some examples, the access code is provided as a QR code.

The automated retail machine may be configured for local payment, for remote payment, or for local payment and remote payment. Local payment may be received through a payment interface of the automated retail machine, e.g. a coin slot, a card interface, or a digital interface presented by the display screen. Remote payment may be received through other means and confirmed by the server system.

By providing to a user an option for remote payment, the user may not be required to physically interact with the automated retail machine for purposes of payment. In addition to the option for remote payment, it may be desirable to also offer an option for local payment as some user may not be able to use remote payment or may prefer to make local payment.

According to some examples, the automated retail machine comprises a payment interface; wherein the controller is configured to complete a payment transaction with the user by either: confirming to the server receipt of local payment through the payment interface, or receiving from the server confirmation of remote payment.

According to some examples, the automated retail machine comprises an input interface for receiving manual user input. The input interface may be provided as a touch-sensitive element, for example of the above-mentioned display screen to make a touchscreen.

According to some examples, the automated retail machine does not include an input interface for receiving manual user input. That is to say, the automated retail machine may be configured solely for remote-retail sessions.

The automated retail machine may be configured to terminate the remote-retail session in response to user input received locally, or a termination request received from the server, or both.

Where the user does not wish to complete a transaction with the automated retail machine, the user may cause the server to terminate the remote-retail session. In addition to the option for remotely terminating the remote-retail session, it may be desirable to also offer an option for locally terminating the remote-retail session.

According to some examples, the automated retail machine comprises a termination button for terminating the remote-control session; wherein the controller is configured to terminate the remote-control session in response to either: pressing of the termination button, or receiving from the server a termination request.

The automated retail machine may be configured to display a different access code upon termination of the remote-retail session. The different access code may be received from the server upon termination.

By displaying a different access code following termination, it may be ensured that the automated retail machine is able to engage in a new remote-retail session. In particular, a session conflict arising from multiple uses of a single access code may be prevented.

According to some examples, the controller is configured to receive from the server system a different access code upon termination of the remote-control session and to control the display panel to display the different access code.

The automated retail machine may be configured to disable at least a portion of the manual interface. By disabling the manual input interface, a user may be disincentivised from manually engaging with the manual input interface despite having initiated a remote-retail session. For example, disabling the manual interface may prevent a user from habitually engaging with the manual interface.

The automated retail machine may be configured to inform a user that the manual input interface has been disabled. For example, portions of the touchscreen may be indicated as disabled, e.g. greyed out or provided with a corresponding message, or portions of the touchscreen may be switched off Thereby a user may be further disincenfivised from manually engaging with the manual input interface.

According to some examples, the automated retail machine further comprises a manual interface for receiving manual user input; wherein the controller is configured to: disable at least a portion of the manual input interface when the remote-retail session is initiated, and control the display screen to display an indication that at least a portion of the manual input interface has been disabled.

The automated retail machine may comprise a peripheral device. The peripheral device may be configured to read and transmit information to the server system during the remote-retail session.

The peripheral device of the automated retail machine may be a camera, or an NFC scanner, or a barcode reader.

There is also provided an automated retail system, comprising: an automated retail machine as described above; and a mobile device associated with a user of the automated retail machine.

The controller of the automated retail machine may be configured to control the display screen to display a first user interface, and the mobile device is configured to display a second user interface which replicates the first user interface.

The first user interface may be configured to display a first website. The second user interface may be configured to display a second website. The first website and the second website may be the same website. That is to say, the first website and the second website may be generated based on the same source code or codebase. The source code or codebase may be provided to the automated retail machine as a local copy and may be supplied to the mobile device as a remote copy from the server system.

A peripheral device of the mobile device may be configured to read and transmit information to the automated retail machine during the remote-retail session. The information may be transmitted by the mobile phone to the automated retail machine via the server system. The information may be, for example, a voucher code or information identifying a particular retail article.

The peripheral device may be a camera of the mobile device, or an NFC scanner of the mobile device, or a barcode reader of the mobile device.

There is also provided an automated retail system including the automated retail machine as described above. The automated retail system further includes the server system, which is configured to communicate with the automated retail machine and the mobile device associated with the user of the automated retail machine. The server system is configured to receive from the mobile device the access code and to verify the access code and, if verified successfully, transmit the session request to the automated retail machine.

Upon initiating the remote-retail session with the automated retail machine, the server system may be configured to disable at least a portion of the first user interface displayed by the automated retail machine. The server system may be configured to supply a second user interface to the mobile device.

The second user interface may replicate the first user interface, e.g. by cloning the first user interface.

The server system may be configured to receive confirmation of payment at the mobile device and instruct the automated retail machine to dispense a retail article corresponding to the payment.

The server system may comprise a first server and a second server.

The first server may be configured to exclusively communicate with the automated retail machine, while the second server may be configured to exclusively communicate with the mobile device. That is to say, the first server may be configured not to communicate with the mobile device, while the second server may be configured not to communicate with the automated retail machine.

By configuring the first server to exclusively communicate with the automated retail machine and the second server to exclusively communicate with the mobile device, overall security of the system may be improved. Also, adaptation of an existing automated retail system to enable remote-retail sessions may be simplified.

There is also provided a method of operating an automated retail machine as described above, the method comprising at the controller: controlling the display screen to display an access code to a user; receiving the session request from the server system through the communication interface to initiate a remote-retail session with the server system based on the access code displayed to the user.

There is also provided a method of operating an automated retail machine as described above, the method comprising: at the controller: controlling the display screen to display the access code to the user; receiving the session request from the server system through the communication interface to initiate a remote retail session with the server system based on the access code displayed to the user; controlling the display screen to display the first user interface; at the mobile device: displaying the second user interface.

There is also provided a method of operating an automated retail machine using a mobile device. The method comprises: scanning with a camera of the mobile device a QR code displayed on a first user interface of the automated retail machine; accessing a URL specified by the QR code, thereby: causing at least a part of the first user interface to be disabled; and causing a second user interface to be displayed on a display screen of the mobile device. The method further comprises selecting a retail article held by the automated retail machine using the second user interface, and providing payment for the retail article using the mobile device.

The first user interface displayed by the automated retail machine may comprise a first website. The second user interface displayed by the mobile device may comprise a second website. The first website and the second website may be identical. That is to say, the first website and the second website may be generated based on a substantially identical codebase, for example provided as a first copy hosted locally on the automated retail machine and a second copy supplied remotely to the mobile device.

By supplying corresponding websites as part of the user interfaces, user convenience may be improved as an unfamiliar mobile interface may be avoided. Also, adaption of existing infrastructure of automated retail machines may be improved since a single codebase may be utilised. Also, maintenance may be improved since no further codebase may require separate maintenance.

The method may further comprise using a peripheral device of the mobile device to read and transmit information during the remote-retail session. The peripheral device may be any peripheral device included in or attached to the mobile device. For example, the peripheral device may be the camera of the mobile device, or an NFC scanner of the mobile device, or a barcode reader of the mobile device (whose functionality may be provided by the camera).

There is also provided a storage medium containing computer readable instructions configured to, when executed, cause an automated retail machine as described above to perform a method as described above. The storage medium may additionally or alternatively contain computer readable instructions configured to, when executed, cause an automated retail system as described above to perform a method as described above.

The invention includes the combination of the aspects and preferred features described except where such a combination is clearly impermissible or expressly avoided.

Summary of the Figures

Embodiments and experiments illustrating the principles of the invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures in which: Figure 1 is a front view of an automated retail machine.

Figure 2 is another front view of an automated retail machine.

Figure 3 shows an automated retail system including the automated retail machine of Figure 1. Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating the automated retail system of Figure 3.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Aspects and embodiments of the present invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures. Further aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All documents mentioned in this text are incorporated herein by reference.

Figure 1 is a front view of an automated retail machine 100. In this example, the automated retail machine 100 is provided as a vending machine 100.

The vending machine 100 comprises a retail compartment 110. The retail compartment 110 houses a plurality of retail articles 112 for purchase.

The vending machine 100 comprises a retrieval area 114. A purchased retail article 112 is dispensed into the retrieval area 114 following completion of a purchase transaction. A user may then retrieve the retail article 112 from the retrieval area 114.

The vending machine 100 comprises a display screen 120 for displaying information to a user. More particularly, a first user interface 121 is presented to the user. In this example, the display screen 120 is provided with touch functionality and hence serves as a touchscreen displaying information to the user, as well as receiving user input. Accordingly, the first user interface 121 is utilised for providing information to the user and for receiving user input by way of touch input.

The first user interface 121 informs a user about the plurality of retail articles 112 purchasable from the vending machine 100. One or more retail articles 112 are manually selectable using the touch functionality of the display screen 120.

The vending machine 100 comprises a payment interface 130 for processing payment. In this example, the payment interface 130 is provided separately from the display screen 120, but in some examples the payment interface 130 may not be provided separately but may, e.g., be provided as a digital interface displayed by the display screen 120. The payment interface 130 is operable to perform a payment transaction. The payment transaction may include providing to the payment interface 130 an accepted payment method, e.g. money or a bank card.

The vending machine 100 comprises a communication interface 140 for communicating with a server system 200, 300. In this example, the server system 200, 300 comprises a first server 200 and a second server 300. The communication interface 140 may be any suitable interface for making a wired or wireless connection with the first server 200. In this example, the first server 200 is a cloud server. In use, the vending machine 100 may communicate with the server 200, e.g. to process (part of) a payment transaction, report a sale, or update stock of a product, or report an error.

The vending machine 100 comprises a controller 150 for controlling the operation of the vending machine 35 100, including the display screen 120, the payment interface 130, and the communication interface 140.

The controller 150 controls the display screen 120 to display the first user interface 121; controls the payment interface 130 in a payment transaction; and controls the communication interface 140 for communicating with the first server 200.

The vending machine 100 enables the user to perform a remote-retail transaction. Suitably, the display screen 120 displays an access code 122. In this example, the access code 122 is a unique URL token provided as a OR code 122 (or 'quick response code'). That is to say, the OR code 122 contains a URL (or 'uniform resource locator') for initiating a remote-retail session with the vending machine 100 when accessing the URL. The vending machine 100 receives a session request from the first server 200 through the communication interface to initiate the remote-retail session.

Figure 2 illustrates the vending machine 100 in the remote-retail session. In this example, initiating the remote-retail session causes a portion 124 of the first user interface 121 on the display screen 120 to be disabled. The corresponding portion 124 of the display screen 120 is indicated as greyed out.

The display screen 120 displays a termination button 126. In this example, the display screen 120 is provided with touch functionality such that the termination button 126 is actuatable by the user. By touching the termination button 126, the remote-retail session is terminatable on user request. For completeness it is noted that termination of the remote-retail session may be caused remotely, e.g. a corresponding request from the first server 200. Such a request may be transmitted, for example, following time-out of the remote-retail session after a specified number of minutes.

In a remote-retail session, a user selection is made using a mobile device, such as a smartphone, as is described below in greater detail. The vending machine 100 is informed about the user selection by the first server 200.

Prior to dispensing of any retail articles 112 selected by the user, payment is requested. Payment in the remote-retail session may be provided locally using the payment interface 130, as described above.

Alternatively, payment may be provided remotely, e.g through the mobile device operated by the user.

The vending machine 100 confirms to the first server 200 where local payment is received through the payment interface 130; or receives confirmation of remote payment from the first server 200.

Upon conclusion of the remote-retail session, e.g. following completion or termination thereof, the vending machine 100 returns to its earlier state. That is to say, the user interface 121 on the display screen 120 is again enabled and a OR code 122 is displayed. This OR code 122 is a new OR code received from the first server 200 and displayed in place of the earlier OR code 122.

In this example, the user need not interact with the vending machine 100 at all when performing the remote retail transaction, other than for retrieval of the purchased retail article(s) 112.

Figure 3 illustrates an automated retail system 1000. The automated retail system 1000 comprises the vending machine 100 and the first server 200. The automated retail system 1000 further comprises a second server 300.

S

The remote-retail session is initiated using the mobile device 400. The mobile device 400 may be, e.g., a smartphone other electronic device capable of accessing an online resource. The mobile device 400 comprises mobile display screen 420 configured to display a second user interface 421. The mobile display screen 420 is provided with touch functionality, i.e. is provided as a touchscreen, such that the second user interface 421 displays information to the user and receives user input.

The user scans the QR code 122 displayed by the vending machine 100 using a camera 440 of the mobile device 400. The QR code 122 specifies a URL which the mobile device 400 accesses, thereby initiating the remote-retail session. More particularly, the second server 300 authenticates the URL token with the first server 200 to ensure validity thereof in a corresponding session query to the first server 200.

The first server 200 verifies the session query based on the access code 122. If successfully verified, the first server 200 transmits a session request to the vending machine 100 and establishes a remote-retail session between the vending machine 100 and the mobile device 400 via the second server 300. That is to say, the first server 200 communicates with the vending machine 100 while the second server 300 communicates with the mobile device 400. In this example, communication with the vending machine 100 is carried out exclusively by the first server 200, and communication with the mobile device 400 is exclusively carried out by the second server 300.

Figure 4 illustrates operation of the automated retail system 1000. The vending machine 100 displays a dynamic QR code 122 on the touchscreen 120, preferably in a prominent location on the homepage. Additionally, instructions for enabling "touchless" operation, i.e. the remote-retail session, are displayed and instruct the user to scan the QR code 122, for example with a smartphone camera.

The QR code 122 is dynamically pre-generated by server 200 with information to create a new and unique session with the vending machine 100.

Upon scanning the QR code 122, the user is prompted to follow a URL encoded in the QR code 122. When this URL resolves on the second server 300, the unique information of the URL will instruct the second server 300 to query a new remote-retail session. Upon initiating the remote-retail session, the first server 200: -Authenticates the request (i.e. checks if the access code is valid).

-sends instructions to the vending machine 100 to disable at least a portion 124 of the interface 121, e.g. such that the user will no longer see a menu of the retail articles 112. The cancel button 126 is displayed instead, in case the user wants to exit touchless operation; -Allows second server 300 to direct the user's browser session to a page that is an identical copy of the interface the user would otherwise see on the display screen 120 of the vending machine 100.

The user is able to navigate the second user interface 421 displayed by the mobile device 400 and use the full functionality the user would otherwise be provided with by the vending machine 100, e.g. adding products to a basket, viewing more detailed information about the retail articles 112, making payment, requesting email receipts etc. The user interface of the vending machine 100 is the same as that supplied to the mobile device 400. More particularly, identical webpages are provided to the user by the vending machine 100 and the mobile device 400, in both cases displayed via a web browser. This may improve user experience. Also, this may improve adaptation of existing retail infrastructure, requiring only a single codebase. Also, this may improve maintenance, as copies of the same code are used in both places (locally on the machine and remotely on the second server).

Furthermore, since bi-directional communication is established between the mobile device 400 and the vending machine 100 via the first server 200 and the second server 300, the user is able to use physical peripherals on the vending machine, such as the payment interface 130, as pad of the remote-retail session. For example, the user is able to start the payment transaction on the mobile device 400 but still tap a payment card on a card terminal of the payment interface 130. Other examples of peripherals may be utilised for scanning a voucher code, e.g. by means of a barcode reader, or an NFC token, e.g. by means of an NFC reader.

The mobile device 400 may complement the functionality of the vending machine 100. For example, the user can use alternative payment methods that would otherwise be unavailable on the vending machine 100, such as Apple Pay (TM), PayPal (TM) or custom apps.

When the transaction is complete, the vending machine 100 reverts the interface 121 back and displays a new OR code 122, with the one previously used no longer valid. This may prevent unauthorised use of the remote functionality, and the OR code 122 can automatically renew periodically as well as an added measure.

The automated retail machine, automated retail system and method of operating an automated retail machine as described above may allow a mobile device, such as a phone, to take full control of the machine (e.g. blocking operation on the screen of the machine itself) and the mobile device may instead show an identical version on the touchscreen interface of the mobile device. All this may be done via a webapp, so the user may not need to download or install any software to achieve this. Furthermore, the user may interact with the machine fully (bi-directional communication) and do anything they could have otherwise done on the machine's screen.

Exemplary applications include vending machines, water dispensers, coffee machines, lockers, kiosks etc. Some advantages have been discussed above. In particular, it is considered an advantage of this invention that the automated retail machine can be used hygienically, without the need to touch the screen interface. Further advantages may be: -Providing users the comfort of using their own phone's screen that they are comfortable with.

-Providing accessibility for users who may be unable to operate the input means of the vending machine, for example as a result of a disability.

Providing a secondary way to use the automated retail machine in case the machine's touch screen is inoperable or otherwise damaged.

-More functionality (e.g. alternative payment methods, access to the phones camera for scanning vouchers etc.).

-Improved privacy when using the machine.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or in the following claims, or in the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for obtaining the disclosed results, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments described above, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art when given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are considered to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

For the avoidance of any doubt, any theoretical explanations provided herein are provided for the purposes of improving the understanding of a reader. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations.

Any section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

Throughout this specification, including the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" and "include", and variations such as "comprises", "comprising", and "including" will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from "about" one particular value, and/or to "about" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by the use of the antecedent "about," it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The term "about" in relation to a numerical value is optional and means for example +/-10%.

Claims

Claims: 1. An automated retail machine, comprising: a communication interface for communicating with a server system; a display screen for displaying information to a user of the automated retail machine; and a controller configured to: control the display screen to display an access code to the user; receive a session request from the server system through the communication interface to initiate a remote-retail session with the server system based on the access code displayed to the user.
2. The automated retail machine according to claim 1, further comprising a payment interface; wherein the controller is configured to complete a payment transaction with the user by either: confirming to the server system receipt of local payment through the payment interface, or receiving from the server system confirmation of remote payment.
3. The automated retail machine according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an input interface for receiving manual user input.
4. The automated retail machine according to claim 3, wherein the input interface comprises a termination button for terminating the remote-control session; and the controller is configured to terminate the remote-control session in response to either: pressing of the termination button, or receiving from the server system a termination request.
5. The automated retail machine according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the controller is configured to: disable at least a portion of the input interface when the remote-retail session is initiated, and control the display screen to display an indication that at least a portion of the input interface has been disabled.
6. The automated retail machine according to any preceding claim, wherein the controller is configured to receive from the server system another access code upon termination of the remote-control session and to control the display panel to display the other access code.
7. The automated retail system according to any preceding claim, wherein a peripheral device of the automated retail machine is configured to read and transmit information to the server system during the remote-retail session; wherein the peripheral device of the automated retail machine is a camera, or an NFC scanner, or a barcode reader.
8. An automated retail system, comprising: an automated retail machine according to any preceding claim; and a mobile device associated with the user of the automated retail machine; wherein the controller of the automated retail machine is configured to control the display screen to display a first user interface, and the mobile device is configured to display a second user interface which replicates the first user interface.
9. The automated retail system according to claim 8, wherein the first user interface is configured to display a first website and the second user interface is configured to display a second website; wherein the first website displayed by the first user interface and the second website displayed by the second user interface are the same website.
10. The automated retail system according to claim 8 or 9, wherein a peripheral device of the mobile device is configured to read and transmit information to the automated retail machine during the remote-retail session; wherein the peripheral device is a camera of the mobile device, or an NFC scanner of the mobile device, or a barcode reader of the mobile device.
11. An automated retail system, comprising: an automated retail machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7; the server system, which is configured to communicate with the automated retail machine and a mobile device associated with the user of the automated retail machine; wherein: the server system is configured to receive from the mobile device the access code and to verify the access code and, if verified successfully, transmit the session request to the automated retail machine.
12. The automated retail system according to claim 11, wherein upon initiating the remote-retail session: the server system is configured to instruct the automated retail machine to disable at least a portion of a first user interface of the automated retail machine; and the server system is configured to supply a second user interface to the mobile device; wherein the second user interface replicates the first user interface.
13. The automated retail system according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the server system is configured to receive confirmation of payment at the mobile device and instruct the automated retail machine to dispense a retail article corresponding to the payment.
14. The automated retail system according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the sewer system comprises a first server and a second sewer; the first server is configured to communicate with the automated retail machine and is configured not to communicate with the mobile device; and the second server is configured to communicate with the mobile device and is configured not to communicate with the automated retail machine.
15.A method of operating an automated retail machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising at the controller: controlling the display screen to display an access code to the user; receiving the session request from the server system through the communication interface to initiate a remote-retail session with the server system based on the access code displayed to the user.
16. A method of operating an automated retail system according to claim 8, comprising: at the controller: controlling the display screen to display the access code to the user; receiving the session request from the server system through the communication interface to initiate a remote retail session with the server system based on the access code displayed to the user; controlling the display screen to display the first user interface; at the mobile device: displaying the second user interface.
17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising; at the mobile device: scanning with a camera of the mobile device a OR code displayed on the first user interface of the automated retail machine; accessing a URL specified by the OR code to initiate the remote-retail session with the automated retail machine, thereby: causing at least part of the first user interface to be disabled; causing the second user interface to be displayed by the mobile device; selecting a retail article held by the automated retail machine using the second user interface; providing payment for the retail article using the mobile device.
18. A machine readable medium containing computer readable instructions configured to, when executed, cause an automated retail machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7 to perform a method according to claim 15, or an automated retail system according to claim 8 to perform a method according to claim 16 or 17.