JP2002367015A - Method and program for radio communication, storage medium, and vending machine using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To give no feeling of discomfort to a user while increasing customer collection effect. SOLUTION: A communication part 107 sets the radio wave intensity of a radio wave intensity switching part 114 to a radius of 100 m and sends article information. The communication part 107 receives a purchase request signal from a user within a radius of 100 m from an automatic vending machine and sends it to the main control part 101. The main control part 101 holds all purchase request signals which are received and sends a radio wave intensity switching signal for switching the radio wave intensity of the radio wave intensity switching part 114 from the radius of 100 m to a radius of 1 to 2 m. The communication part 107 changes the radio wave intensity of the radio wave intensity switching part 114 to the radius of 1 to 2 m and sends a purchase confirmation signal. The communication part 107 receives a purchase decision signal from a user within a radius of 1 to 2 m from the automatic vending machine and sends it to the main control part 101. The main control part 101 compares all purchase request signals which are received with the earliest purchase decision signal to specify the portable terminal and enables a canned drink to be vended.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a wireless communication method, a wireless communication program, a storage medium, and a vending machine using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, there has been proposed a technique for directly performing wireless communication between a portable terminal (a portable telephone, a portable information device PDA, etc.) and a vending machine.

[0003] The procedure of wireless communication will be described in detail. (1) A user operates a portable terminal to connect to a vending machine which desires to purchase a product by two-way wireless communication. (2) The user operates the mobile terminal and inputs a key for purchasing a product. (3) Upon receiving the key input signal from the portable terminal, the vending machine pays out the product corresponding to the key input signal and outputs a payout end signal.
(4) The user can obtain the desired product. When the user confirms that the portable terminal has received the payout end signal from the vending machine, the user operates the portable terminal to disconnect the wireless communication with the vending machine. That is.
In addition, the payment method when the user obtains the product may be any of cash, a prepaid card, a bank withdrawal, and the like.

[0004]

However, the radio wave intensity for performing wireless communication between the portable terminal and the vending machine has a relatively wide range centering on the installation location of the vending machine in consideration of the effect of attracting customers. (For example, a radius of about 100 m) is fixed and set, so that the following problem occurs.

That is, there is a possibility that a key input signal from another user located further away from the vending machine may be prioritized over a key input signal from a user facing the vending machine. There was a problem that a user in front of the vending machine was uncomfortable.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication method, a wireless communication program, a storage medium, and a vending machine using these, which do not give a user any discomfort.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems.

[0008] Claim 1 is a wireless communication method between a portable terminal and a vending machine, wherein the vending machine transmits merchandise information to a first area; A step in which the portable terminal transmits a purchase request signal to the vending machine in response to the product information; and wherein the vending machine weakens radio wave intensity for wireless communication in response to the purchase request signal. Transmitting a purchase confirmation signal to a second range narrower than the first range, and a portable terminal within the second range responds to the purchase confirmation signal to the vending machine for a purchase decision signal. And a step in which the vending machine specifies the mobile terminal based on the purchase request signal and the purchase decision signal and enables the sale of the product. According to the first aspect, the vending machine switches the radio wave intensity from strong to weak and receives the signal from the portable terminal in two stages, so that the vending machine preferentially sells the product to the user facing the vending machine. It has a function and effect that can be achieved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the vending machine includes a holding unit for holding a purchase request signal from a portable terminal within the first range. According to the second aspect, since the purchase request signals of a plurality of users are collectively held, even if some of the users do not transmit the purchase decision signal, the operational effect of not missing the opportunity to sell the product is obtained. To play.

[0010] According to a third aspect, in the second aspect, the vending machine compares identification information for identifying the portable terminal, which is included in the purchase request signal and the purchase decision signal. According to the third aspect, the portable terminal can be specified with certainty, and the operation and effect of reliably selling the product to the owner (user) of the portable terminal can be achieved.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the vending machine according to the second or third aspect, the vending machine holds a purchase request signal from a portable terminal within the first range in the holding means for a predetermined time. According to the fourth aspect, since the users are updated at regular time intervals, an effect of securing new users and improving customer collection efficiency is achieved.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect, when the vending machine receives a purchase decision signal from a portable terminal within the second range within the predetermined time, the vending machine stores the purchase decision signal in the holding means. The remaining purchase request signal not corresponding to the purchase decision signal is deleted. According to the fifth aspect, there is an effect that the merchandise can be surely sold to the user who has transmitted the purchase decision signal earliest.

According to a sixth aspect, in the fifth aspect, the vending machine transmits a notification signal for notifying that the purchase request signal has been deleted to a portable terminal corresponding to the remaining purchase request signal. It is. According to the sixth aspect, there is an effect that the user can efficiently retransmit the purchase request signal.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vending machine which performs wireless communication for selling a product with a portable terminal, and a transmitting / receiving means for transmitting / receiving a signal to / from the portable terminal,
A radio field intensity switching unit for changing a range of the signal; and a control unit for selling a product, wherein the transmitting / receiving unit transmits product information to a first range,
Receiving a purchase request signal responding to the product information from a portable terminal within the range, transmitting a purchase confirmation signal to a second range narrower than the first range according to the switching output of the radio wave intensity switching means, The control means, when the transmission / reception means receives a purchase decision signal in response to the purchase confirmation signal from a portable terminal within the second range, controls the portable terminal based on the purchase request signal and the purchase decision signal. Identify and sell the product. According to the seventh aspect, since the radio wave intensity is switched from strong to weak and the signal from the portable terminal is received in two stages, there is an operational effect that the merchandise can be preferentially sold to the user facing the vending machine. .

[0015] An eighth aspect of the present invention is directed to the seventh aspect, further comprising holding means for holding a purchase request signal from a portable terminal within the first range. According to the eighth aspect, since the purchase request signals of a plurality of users are collectively held, even if some of the users do not transmit the purchase decision signal, an operation effect of not missing a chance to sell the product is obtained. To play.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the control means compares the identification information for identifying the portable terminal, which is included in the purchase request signal and the purchase decision signal. According to the ninth aspect, the portable terminal can be specified with certainty, and the operation and effect of reliably selling the product to the owner (user) of the portable terminal is achieved.

Claim 10 relates to Claim 8 or 9,
The holding means holds a purchase request signal from a portable terminal within the first range for a predetermined time. According to the tenth aspect, since the users are updated at regular intervals, an effect of securing new users and improving customer collection efficiency is achieved.

In a preferred embodiment, when the transmission / reception means receives a purchase decision signal from a portable terminal within the second range within the predetermined time, the holding means makes the purchase decision. The remaining purchase request signal not corresponding to the decision signal is deleted. According to the eleventh aspect, there is an effect that the merchandise can be surely sold to the user who transmitted the purchase decision signal earliest.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in accordance with the eleventh aspect, the transmission / reception means transmits a notification signal for notifying that the purchase request signal has been deleted to a portable terminal corresponding to the remaining purchase request signal. is there. According to the twelfth aspect, there is an operational effect that the user can efficiently retransmit the purchase request signal.

A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is a wireless communication program for allowing a vending machine to perform wireless communication with a portable terminal, wherein the step of transmitting product information to a first range includes the steps of:
Receiving a purchase request signal in response to the product information from a portable terminal within a range of; and responding to the purchase request signal by weakening a radio wave intensity for wireless communication to a second second position narrower than the first range. Sending a purchase confirmation signal to the range of
Receiving a purchase decision signal in response to the purchase confirmation signal from the portable terminal within the second range; and identifying the portable terminal and selling the product based on the purchase request signal and the purchase decision signal. And the step of According to the thirteenth aspect, the vending machine can easily download the wireless communication program via a communication line or a communication network, so that the trouble of storing the wireless communication program in the internal memory at the time of shipment can be omitted. There is an effect that the wireless communication program can be easily changed.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium for storing a wireless communication program for causing a vending machine to perform wireless communication with a portable terminal, wherein the step of transmitting product information to a first range, Receiving a purchase request signal responding to the product information from a portable terminal within a first range; and, in response to the purchase request signal, weakening a radio wave intensity for wireless communication to be narrower than the first range. Transmitting a purchase confirmation signal to a second range, receiving a purchase decision signal responsive to the purchase confirmation signal from a mobile terminal within the second range,
Based on the purchase request signal and the purchase decision signal,
A step of specifying the portable terminal and enabling a product to be sold. According to the fourteenth aspect, the vending machine has an effect of easily realizing wireless communication with a portable terminal by using the storage medium.

A fifteenth aspect of the present invention is a wireless communication program for causing a portable terminal to perform wireless communication with a vending machine, wherein the portable terminal receives product information reaching a first range from the vending machine; Transmitting a purchase request signal responsive to the product information to the vending machine; and a purchase confirmation signal responsive to the purchase request signal arriving from the vending machine to a second range narrower than the first range. And a response to the purchase confirmation signal to the vending machine and a purchase decision signal corresponding to the purchase request signal so that the vending machine can identify the mobile terminal and sell the product. Transmitting. According to the fifteenth aspect, since the portable terminal can easily download the wireless communication program via the communication line or the communication network, the portable terminal has versatility without storing the wireless communication program in the internal memory at the time of shipment. At the same time, there is an effect that the wireless communication program can be easily changed.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium for storing a wireless communication program for allowing a portable terminal to perform wireless communication with a vending machine, wherein merchandise information reaching a first range from the vending machine is stored. Receiving, transmitting a purchase request signal in response to the product information to the vending machine,
Receiving a purchase confirmation signal in response to the purchase request signal, which reaches the second range narrower than the first range from the vending machine, and the vending machine identifies a portable terminal and sells the product Transmitting a purchase decision signal corresponding to the purchase request signal to the vending machine in response to the purchase confirmation signal so as to enable the vending machine to store the wireless communication program. Claim 16
According to the above, by using the storage medium, the portable terminal has an effect of easily realizing wireless communication with the vending machine.

[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The details of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a vending machine according to the present invention. For example, it is assumed that a canned beverage is sold.

In FIG. 1, a front door 1 opens and closes with a left side end of a vending machine as a support shaft.
It is unlocked and opened when refilling canned beverages and locked and closed when selling normally. Panel 2
It is a transparent resin plate for confirming a plurality of types of canned beverage samples 3 displayed inside. That is, the user can select a canned beverage to purchase by looking over a plurality of types of canned beverage samples 3 through the panel 2. The coin insertion slot 4 is a portion where a user inserts coins, and the inserted coins are supplied to a coin mechanism inside the vending machine. The bill insertion slot 5 is a part into which a user inserts a bill, and the inserted bill is supplied to a building bar inside the vending machine. The display unit 6 (organic EL, LCD, LED, and the like) displays the amount of inserted coins, the amount of inserted bills, and the like. The product selection button 7 has a built-in selling lamp and a sold-out lamp, and is provided on the panel 2 corresponding to each of the canned beverage samples 3. The vending lamp corresponds to the canned beverage only when the canned beverage is stored in the column inside the vending machine when the user inserts a coin or inserts a bill for purchasing at least one canned beverage. Lights up. When a predetermined column inside the vending machine is emptied, the sold-out lamp always lights up corresponding to the canned beverage. When the merchandise selection button 7 with the available lamp on is pressed, the canned beverage corresponding to the canned beverage sample 3 is carried out to the commodity outlet 8. The return lever 9 is for returning inserted coins from the return port 10 or returning change from the inserted coins or inserted bills after subtracting the purchase price of canned beverages from the return port 10.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the vending machine of the present invention.

In FIG. 2, a main control unit 101 controls the vending machine, and includes a ROM, a CPU, an R
AM and peripheral circuits (such as a counter). More specifically, the ROM stores program data for integrally controlling a plurality of slave control units described later, and the CPU executes a plurality of slave control programs in accordance with the result of decoding the program data read from the ROM. The RAM is for overall control of the units, and the RAM is for writing or reading calculation results by the CPU and various data from a plurality of slave control units. In terms of hardware, a ROM is a mask ROM that prints and fixes data in a manufacturing process, an EPROM that can repeatedly write and read data by erasing data with an ultraviolet ray, or an EEPROM that can repeatedly write and read data by electrically erasing data ( Flash memory (including a flash ROM). The CPU includes a program counter for designating the execution address of the ROM, an instruction decoder for decoding the contents read from the ROM, an arithmetic and logic unit for performing a logical operation, an accumulator for temporarily storing arithmetic data, and the like. The RAM is a volatile memory such as an SRAM, and retains stored contents using a backup power supply.

Coin processing controller 102, banknote processing controller 1
03, the customer service control unit 104, the sales control unit 105, the input / output control unit 106, the communication unit 107, and the communication unit 108 correspond to a plurality of sub control units, and the main control unit 1 is hardware-wise.
The same ROM, CPU, and RAM as those of 01 are built in. The coin insertion mechanism 109 includes an out-of-change sensor that detects an out-of-change, receives coins inserted from the coin insertion port 4, and returns change from the return port 10 as necessary. The coin processing control unit 102 controls the coin insertion mechanism 109,
It is used to determine the denomination and true / false of the input coins, calculate the number of coins, store excess coins in a safe, pay out change, and the like. Like the coin insertion mechanism 109, the bill insertion mechanism 110 includes a bill-of-bill sensor that detects the expiration of a bill, receives bills inserted from the bill insertion slot 5, and removes bills from the bill insertion slot 5 as necessary. It will be returned. The banknote processing control unit 103 controls the banknote insertion mechanism 110, and performs the discrimination of the denomination and true / false of the inserted banknote, calculation of the number of denominations, payout of bills, and the like. The coin processing control unit 102 and the bill processing control unit 103 execute processing operations each time coin insertion and bill insertion are performed. The coin processing control unit 102 and the coin insertion mechanism 109 constitute a coin mechanism, and the bill processing control unit 103 and the bill insertion mechanism 11
0 constitutes a bill validator, but instead of a coin mechanism and a bill validator, a card reader (not shown) for inserting a prepaid card or a postpaid card may be provided so that cup beverages can be sold. The customer service surface 111 includes a display unit 6, a product selection button 7, a selling lamp (not shown), a sales stop lamp (not shown), and a change-out lamp (not shown). Customer service control unit 104
Controls the customer service surface 111. That is, the customer service control unit 10
Reference numeral 4 indicates that the above-mentioned selling lamp, selling stop lamp, change-out lamp is turned on, or the selling available lamp or the sold-out lamp of the product selection button 7 for each selling beverage according to the customer service instruction regarding canned beverage sales from the main control unit 101. Is turned on, and which of the plurality of product selection buttons 7 is pressed is detected, and a detection signal at this time is transmitted to the main control unit 101. The sales mechanism 112 carries out the canned beverage to the commodity outlet 8. The sales control unit 105 controls the sales mechanism 112, and in accordance with a sales instruction from the main control unit 101 in response to the detection signal from the customer service control unit 104 or a product request signal from the communication unit 107, cans desired by the user. The beverage is carried out to the product outlet 8.

The keyboard 113 has a numeric keypad and function keys, and a display unit (organic EL, LCD, etc.) for displaying the contents related to the operation of these keys on the front surface. The keyboard 113 is an input / output control unit 1
06, which is connected by wire and is detachably provided on the back surface of the front door 1, and is operated when performing column setting, price setting, maintenance, and the like for canned beverages. The input / output control unit 106 transmits input information from the keyboard 113 to the main control unit 101. The main control unit 101, based on the input information, coin processing control unit 102, bill processing control unit 103, customer service control unit 104, sales control unit 105,
Each instruction is given to the communication unit 108.

The communication section 107 (transmission / reception means) has a radio field intensity switching section 114 for switching the reach of a radio signal.
Two-way wireless communication with mobile terminals (for example, Bluetooth
short-distance wireless communication such as o. The radio wave intensity switching unit 114 adjusts the reach of the radio signal according to the radio wave intensity switching signal from the main control unit 101 to a radius of 100 m for attracting an unspecified number of users centering on the installation location of the vending machine. The distance is switched to one of the following distance (first range) or a distance of about 1 to 2 m radius (second range) for facing the vending machine. More specifically, the communication unit 107 transmits product information for advertising a product in a state where the radio field intensity of the radio field intensity switching unit 114 is set to a radius of 100 m. When the user is within a radius of 100 m centering on the vending machine, the user can check the product information on the screen of the mobile terminal, and sends a purchase request signal to the communication unit 10 as necessary.
7 It is assumed that the purchase request signal is a unique ID code for identifying each portable terminal. When the communication unit 107 receives the purchase request signal, the main control unit 10
Send to 1. The main control unit 101 stores all the received purchase request signals in a RAM (holding unit) for a predetermined time (for example, 5
) And transmits a radio field intensity switching signal to the communication unit 107 for switching the radio field intensity of the radio field intensity switching unit 114 from a radius of 100 m to a radius of 1 to 2 m. The communication unit 107 sets the radio field intensity of the radio field intensity switching unit 114 to a radius of 1
The purchase confirmation signal is transmitted in a state where the purchase confirmation signal is changed to 2 m. The previous user can check the purchase confirmation signal on the screen of the mobile terminal when moving from a radius of 100 m around the vending machine to a radius of 1 to 2 m by car, bicycle, walking, etc.
A purchase decision signal is transmitted to the communication unit 107 as necessary.
The purchase decision signal has the same ID code as the purchase request signal. The communication unit 107 transmits the purchase determination signal to the main control unit 101. Main control unit 101
Identifies the portable terminal by comparing all received purchase request signals with the earliest purchase decision signal, and makes canned beverages available for sale. When the main control unit 101 receives the purchase decision signal within the above-mentioned fixed time, it deletes the remaining purchase request signal not corresponding to the purchase decision signal without holding it.

The communication unit 108 is connected to a host computer of a vending machine management company or a server on the Internet via a communication line. The communication unit 108 transmits information of various tables stored in the RAM of the main control unit 101 to the above-described host computer, server, and the like.
As a result, the vending machine management company can execute sales promotion activities of providing new and popular products in real time to the user's mobile terminal.

The main control unit 101 and the sub control units 102 to 1
08, the polling method in which the main control unit 101 has a preferential transmission right, or the contention method in which the main control unit 101 and the sub-control units 102 to 108 have equal transmission rights. You may.

FIG. 3 is an overall view for explaining the wireless communication method of the present invention.

In FIG. 3, the vending machine 201 is
And it has the structure shown in FIG. 2 and is installed in the jurisdiction of the management company of the vending machine. The mobile terminal 202 is a mobile phone owned by the user, a mobile information device PDA (Person).
al Digital Assistants). The vending machine management server 203 is 1 Web on the Internet 204 operated by a vending machine management company, and is communicatively connected to the vending machine 201 and the portable terminal 202 via a communication line 205. The vending machine management server 203 has a wireless communication program for the vending machine 201 and a wireless communication program for the portable terminal 202 for performing wireless communication between the vending machine 201 and the portable terminal 202. And First, the root man inputs a key for obtaining a wireless communication program for the vending machine 201 on the keyboard 113. Then, the main control unit 1
01, in response to the key input signal, connects the communication unit 108 and the vending machine management server 203 via a communication line 205 for communication, downloads a wireless communication program for the vending machine 201, and stores it in ROM or RAM. I do. on the other hand,
A user inputs a key for acquiring a wireless communication program for the mobile terminal 202 on the mobile terminal 202. Then, the mobile terminal 202 is communicatively connected to the vending machine management server 203 via the communication line 205, downloads a wireless communication program for the mobile terminal 202, and stores it in the internal memory. Thus, the vending machine 201 and the mobile terminal 20
2 is possible.

It is to be noted that a storage medium storing a wireless communication program for the vending machine 201 and a storage medium storing a wireless communication program for the portable terminal 202 are prepared in advance. Wireless communication may be performed by mounting these storage media.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an operation flow of the wireless communication method of the present invention.

First, the radio field intensity of the radio field intensity switching unit 114 is set to a radius of 100 m.
In accordance with the communication instruction from the main control unit 101, “drink ○, Δ
…… Sold. , "Coffee drink ○, new release.", "Carbonated drink △, popular with low calorie."

Now, the owners A, B, and C of the portable terminal 202
Is located within a radius of 100 m around the vending machine 201, the product information can be confirmed on the screen of the portable terminal 202. Owners A, B, and C confirm product information according to screen guidance based on a wireless communication program for mobile terminal 202, and then input a key related to a purchase request. The three mobile terminals 202 transmit ID codes (A), (B), and (C) (purchase request signals) in response to the key input. Hereinafter, the owner is referred to as a user.

The communication unit 107 receives the I
When receiving the D codes (A), (B) and (C), the main control unit 1
Send to 01. Upon receiving the ID codes (A), (B), and (C) from the communication unit 107, the main control unit 101
For a certain period of time. Further, when counting a few seconds from the time when the first ID code is received from the communication unit 107, the main control unit 101 switches the radio field intensity of the radio field intensity switching unit 114 from a radius of 100 m to a radius of 1 to 2 m. The signal is transmitted to the communication unit 107. Accordingly, the communication unit 107 sets the radio field intensity of the radio field intensity switching unit 114 to a radius of 1 to 1 in accordance with the radio field intensity switching signal from the main control unit 101.
Change to 2 m, and transmit a purchase confirmation signal such as “Please decide the drink to purchase.” In accordance with the communication instruction from the main control unit 101.

Thereafter, the users A and B enter the vending machine 20
If the user moves from a radius of 100 m around the center 1 to a radius of 1 to 2 m, the purchase confirmation signal can be confirmed on the screen of the portable terminal 202. Users A and B are mobile terminals 2
According to the screen guidance based on the wireless communication program for 02, the purchase confirmation signal is confirmed, and then the key related to the purchase decision is input. The two mobile terminals 202 respond to the key input by inputting canned beverage designation signals (A) (B) and I
A combination of D codes (A) and (B) (purchase decision signal) is transmitted.

When communication unit 107 first receives the combination of canned beverage designation signal (A) and ID code (A) from portable terminal 202, it transmits it to main control unit 101. The main control unit 101 stores the ID codes (A) and (B) in the RAM.
(C) and the currently received ID code (A) are sequentially compared to specify the portable terminal 202 of the user A, and the remaining canned beverage designation signal (B) in the RAM even within a certain period of time.
And the ID codes (B) and (C) are deleted. Further, the communication unit 107, in accordance with a communication instruction from the main control unit 101,
A notification signal such as "Please input again." Since the user B is within the radius of 1 to 2 m, the notification signal can be confirmed on the screen of the mobile terminal 202. When the user C moves from the radius of 100 m to the radius of 1 to 2 m, the notification signal can be confirmed on the screen of the portable terminal 202.

When the user A inserts enough coins to purchase canned beverage into the coin insertion slot 4 or inserts bills into the bill insertion slot 5, the main control unit 101 sets the coin processing control unit 102
, Or a bill insertion signal from the bill processing controller 103, and transmits a canned beverage designation signal (A) to the sales controller 105. The sales mechanism 112 pays out the canned beverage corresponding to the canned beverage designation signal (A) from the sales control unit 105 and carries it out to the product outlet 8. Thus, the user A can pick up the desired canned beverage.

When the main control unit 101 receives the sales end signal from the sales control unit 105, the communication unit 107 transmits a radio field intensity switching signal for switching the radio field intensity of the radio field intensity switching unit 114 from a radius of 1 to 2 m to a radius of 100 m. Send to The communication unit 107 adjusts the radio field intensity of the radio field intensity switching unit 114 to a radius of 10 in accordance with the radio field intensity switching signal from the main control unit 101.
0m, and in accordance with a communication instruction from the main control unit 101, transmits product information and repeats the above operation.

[0045]

According to the present invention, the following advantages are provided.

Claim 1 is a wireless communication method between a portable terminal and a vending machine, wherein the vending machine transmits merchandise information to a first area; A step in which the portable terminal transmits a purchase request signal to the vending machine in response to the product information; and wherein the vending machine weakens radio wave intensity for wireless communication in response to the purchase request signal. Transmitting a purchase confirmation signal to a second range narrower than the first range, and a portable terminal within the second range responds to the purchase confirmation signal to the vending machine for a purchase decision signal. And a step in which the vending machine specifies the mobile terminal based on the purchase request signal and the purchase decision signal and enables the sale of the product. Therefore, the vending machine switches the radio wave intensity from strong to weak and receives the signal from the portable terminal in two stages, so that the merchandise can be sold preferentially to the user facing the vending machine.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the vending machine includes a holding unit for holding a purchase request signal from a portable terminal within the first range. Therefore,
Since the purchase request signals of a plurality of users are collectively held, even if some users do not transmit the purchase decision signal, it is possible to prevent the opportunity to sell the product from being missed.

According to a third aspect, in the second aspect, the vending machine compares identification information for identifying the portable terminal, which is included in the purchase request signal and the purchase decision signal. Therefore, the mobile terminal can be reliably specified, and the product can be reliably sold to the owner (user) of the mobile terminal.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second or third aspect, the vending machine holds a purchase request signal from a portable terminal within the first range in the holding means for a predetermined time. Therefore, since the user is updated at regular intervals,
New users can be secured and the efficiency of attracting customers can be improved.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, when the vending machine receives a purchase decision signal from a portable terminal within the second range within the predetermined time, the vending machine stores the purchase decision signal in the holding means. The remaining purchase request signal not corresponding to the purchase decision signal is deleted. Therefore, the product can be reliably sold to the user who transmitted the purchase decision signal earliest.

According to a sixth aspect, in the fifth aspect, the vending machine transmits a notification signal for notifying that the purchase request signal has been deleted to the portable terminal corresponding to the remaining purchase request signal. It is. Therefore, the user can efficiently retransmit the purchase request signal.

A vending machine which performs wireless communication for selling a product with a portable terminal is provided, a transmitting / receiving means for transmitting / receiving a signal to / from the portable terminal,
A radio field intensity switching unit for changing a range of the signal; and a control unit for selling a product, wherein the transmitting / receiving unit transmits product information to a first range,
Receiving a purchase request signal responding to the product information from a portable terminal within the range, transmitting a purchase confirmation signal to a second range narrower than the first range according to the switching output of the radio wave intensity switching means, The control means, when the transmission / reception means receives a purchase decision signal in response to the purchase confirmation signal from a portable terminal within the second range, controls the portable terminal based on the purchase request signal and the purchase decision signal. Identify and sell the product. Therefore, since the radio wave intensity is switched from strong to weak and the signal from the portable terminal is received in two stages, the product can be preferentially sold to the user facing the vending machine.

[0053] Claim 8 is based on claim 7, and further comprises holding means for holding a purchase request signal from a portable terminal within the first range. Therefore, since the purchase request signals of a plurality of users are collectively held, even when some users do not transmit the purchase decision signal, it is possible to prevent the opportunity to sell the product from being missed.

In a ninth aspect of the present invention, the control means compares the identification information for identifying the portable terminal, which is included in the purchase request signal and the purchase decision signal. Therefore, the mobile terminal can be reliably specified, and the product can be reliably sold to the owner (user) of the mobile terminal.

Claim 10 relates to claim 8 or 9,
The holding means holds a purchase request signal from a portable terminal within the first range for a predetermined time. Therefore, since the users are updated at regular time intervals, new users can be secured and the efficiency of attracting customers can be improved.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, when the transmission / reception means receives a purchase decision signal from a portable terminal within the second range within the predetermined time, the holding means makes the purchase decision. The remaining purchase request signal not corresponding to the decision signal is deleted. Therefore, the product can be reliably sold to the user who transmitted the purchase decision signal earliest.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the transmission / reception means transmits a notification signal for notifying that the purchase request signal has been deleted to a portable terminal corresponding to the remaining purchase request signal. is there. Therefore, the user can efficiently retransmit the purchase request signal.

A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is a wireless communication program for allowing a vending machine to perform wireless communication with a portable terminal, wherein the step of transmitting product information to a first range includes the steps of:
Receiving a purchase request signal in response to the product information from a portable terminal within a range of; and responding to the purchase request signal by weakening a radio wave intensity for wireless communication to a second second position narrower than the first range. Sending a purchase confirmation signal to the range of
Receiving a purchase decision signal in response to the purchase confirmation signal from the portable terminal within the second range; and identifying the portable terminal and selling the product based on the purchase request signal and the purchase decision signal. And the step of Therefore, the vending machine can easily download the wireless communication program via a communication line or a communication network, so that it is not necessary to store the wireless communication program in the internal memory at the time of shipment, and to change the wireless communication program. Can be easily handled.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium for storing a wireless communication program for allowing a vending machine to perform wireless communication with a portable terminal, wherein the step of transmitting product information to a first range, Receiving a purchase request signal responding to the product information from a portable terminal within a first range; and, in response to the purchase request signal, weakening a radio wave intensity for wireless communication to be narrower than the first range. Transmitting a purchase confirmation signal to a second range, receiving a purchase decision signal responsive to the purchase confirmation signal from a mobile terminal within the second range,
Based on the purchase request signal and the purchase decision signal,
A step of specifying the portable terminal and enabling a product to be sold. Therefore, the vending machine can easily realize wireless communication with the portable terminal by using the storage medium.

[0060] A fifteenth aspect of the present invention is a wireless communication program for allowing a portable terminal to perform wireless communication with a vending machine, wherein the portable terminal receives product information reaching a first range from the vending machine; Transmitting a purchase request signal responsive to the product information to the vending machine; and a purchase confirmation signal responsive to the purchase request signal arriving from the vending machine to a second range narrower than the first range. And a response to the purchase confirmation signal to the vending machine and a purchase decision signal corresponding to the purchase request signal so that the vending machine can identify the mobile terminal and sell the product. Transmitting. Therefore,
Since the mobile terminal can easily download the wireless communication program via a communication line or a communication network, the mobile terminal has versatility without storing the wireless communication program in the internal memory at the time of shipment, and can be used for changing the wireless communication program. Can be easily handled.

[0061] Claim 16 is a storage medium for storing a wireless communication program for allowing a portable terminal to perform wireless communication with a vending machine, and stores product information that reaches a first range from the vending machine. Receiving, transmitting a purchase request signal in response to the product information to the vending machine,
Receiving a purchase confirmation signal in response to the purchase request signal, which reaches the second range narrower than the first range from the vending machine, and the vending machine identifies a portable terminal and sells the product Transmitting a purchase decision signal corresponding to the purchase request signal to the vending machine in response to the purchase confirmation signal so as to enable the vending machine to store the wireless communication program. Therefore, the portable terminal can easily realize wireless communication with the vending machine by using the storage medium.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a vending machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the vending machine of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an overall view for explaining a wireless communication method of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an operation flow of the wireless communication method of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 101 Main control unit 102 Coin processing control unit 103 Banknote processing control unit 104 Customer service control unit 105 Sales control unit 106 Input / output control unit 107 Communication unit 108 Communication unit 114 Radio wave intensity switching unit 201 Vending machine 202 Portable terminal 203 Vending machine management server

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 3E044 AA01 BA01 BA02 BA10 DA06 DC01 DE01 FA02 FA12 FB17 5K067 AA21 AA34 BB04 BB21 DD17 DD23 DD24 EE02 EE12 EE35 HH21 5K101 KK12 KK17 LL12 MM05 MM07 NN12 NN12 NN12 NN14

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A wireless communication method between a vending machine and a portable terminal, wherein the vending machine transmits merchandise information to a first range, and wherein the portable terminal within the first range is Transmitting a purchase request signal to the vending machine in response to the product information; and wherein the vending machine responds to the purchase request signal by weakening radio wave intensity for wireless communication. Transmitting a purchase confirmation signal to a second range that is smaller than the first range; and transmitting a purchase decision signal to the vending machine in response to the purchase confirmation signal. A wireless communication method, comprising: determining the portable terminal based on the purchase request signal and the purchase determination signal, and enabling the vending machine to sell the product. 2. The wireless communication method according to claim 1, wherein the vending machine includes a holding unit that holds a purchase request signal from a portable terminal within the first range. 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the vending machine compares identification information for identifying the portable terminal, which is included in the purchase request signal and the purchase determination signal.
The wireless communication method as described. 4. The wireless communication method according to claim 2, wherein the vending machine holds a purchase request signal from a portable terminal within the first range in the holding unit for a predetermined time. . 5. When the vending machine receives a purchase decision signal from a portable terminal within the second range within the predetermined time, the vending machine stores the remaining purchases not corresponding to the purchase decision signal in the holding means. The wireless communication method according to claim 4, wherein the request signal is deleted. 6. The vending machine according to claim 5, wherein the vending machine transmits a notification signal for notifying that the purchase request signal has been deleted to a portable terminal corresponding to the remaining purchase request signal. Wireless communication method. 7. A vending machine for performing wireless communication for selling a product with a portable terminal, a transmitting / receiving means for transmitting / receiving a signal to / from the portable terminal, and a reach of the signal. And a control unit for selling a product, wherein the transmitting / receiving unit transmits product information to a first range, and transmits / receives the product information from a portable terminal within the first range. When receiving a purchase request signal in response to the product information, the control unit transmits a purchase confirmation signal to a second range narrower than the first range in accordance with a switching output of the radio wave intensity switching unit; Receives a purchase decision signal in response to the purchase confirmation signal from a portable terminal within the second range, specifies the portable terminal based on the purchase request signal and the purchase decision signal, and sells the product. To, vending machine, characterized in that. 8. The vending machine according to claim 7, further comprising holding means for holding a purchase request signal from a portable terminal within the first range. 9. The vending machine according to claim 8, wherein the control unit compares identification information for identifying the mobile terminal, which is included in the purchase request signal and the purchase determination signal. 10. The vending machine according to claim 8, wherein the holding unit holds a purchase request signal from a portable terminal within the first range for a certain period of time. 11. When the transmission / reception means receives a purchase decision signal from a portable terminal within the second range within the predetermined time, the holding means causes the remaining purchase request not corresponding to the purchase decision signal to be received. The vending machine according to claim 10, wherein the signal is deleted. 12. The automatic transmission / reception device according to claim 11, wherein the transmission / reception unit transmits a notification signal for notifying that the purchase request signal has been deleted to a portable terminal corresponding to the remaining purchase request signal. Vending machine. 13. A wireless communication program for allowing a vending machine to perform wireless communication with a portable terminal, the method comprising transmitting merchandise information to a first range, and a portable terminal within the first range. Receiving a purchase request signal responding to the product information from the device; and responsive to the purchase request signal, weakening the radio wave intensity for wireless communication to a purchase confirmation signal in a second range narrower than the first range. And receiving a purchase decision signal in response to the purchase confirmation signal from the portable terminal within the second range. Based on the purchase request signal and the purchase decision signal,
A step of specifying the portable terminal and enabling a product to be sold. 14. A storage medium for storing a wireless communication program for allowing a vending machine to perform wireless communication with a portable terminal, the method comprising: transmitting product information to a first range; Receiving a purchase request signal responding to the product information from a portable terminal within a range; and responding to the purchase request signal, weakening a radio wave intensity for wireless communication and a second narrower than the first range. Transmitting a purchase confirmation signal to the range, receiving a purchase decision signal in response to the purchase confirmation signal from the mobile terminals within the second range, and based on the purchase request signal and the purchase decision signal,
A storage medium storing a wireless communication program comprising: identifying the portable terminal and enabling sale of a product. 15. A wireless communication program for causing a portable terminal to perform wireless communication with a vending machine, the method comprising: receiving product information reaching a first range from the vending machine; Transmitting a purchase request signal responsive to the product information to the vending machine; and receiving a purchase confirmation signal responsive to the purchase request signal arriving from the vending machine to a second range narrower than the first range. And transmitting a purchase decision signal corresponding to the purchase request signal to the vending machine so as to allow the vending machine to identify the mobile terminal and sell the product, in response to the purchase confirmation signal. And a wireless communication program comprising: 16. A storage medium for storing a wireless communication program for causing a portable terminal to perform wireless communication with a vending machine, wherein the portable terminal receives product information reaching a first range from the vending machine. Transmitting a purchase request signal responsive to the product information to the vending machine; and arriving from the vending machine to a second range narrower than the first range, a purchase responsive to the purchase request signal. Receiving a confirmation signal; and responding to the purchase confirmation signal to the vending machine and making a purchase decision corresponding to the purchase request signal so that the vending machine can identify the portable terminal and sell the product. Transmitting a signal; and storing a wireless communication program comprising: