MOBILE DEVICE ASSISTED RETAIL SYSTEM AND PROCESS IN A VENDING UNIT, RETAIL DISPLAY OR AUTOMATED RETAIL STORE

摘要

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.

主权项

1. A vending system comprising
one or more vending machines, the one or more vending machines comprising: a display module containing items to be vended, the display module physically comprising a plurality of physical displays in which items to be vended are visibly housed; a computer for activating and controlling the vending machine and the display module, and receiving and processing customer messages from one or more mobile devices; software for controlling the computer; and a visual display controlled by said software for establishing a virtual screen for inputting customer data and selections, wherein the computer is configured to receive user location information and identify the closest vending machine based on the user location information that has the product to be vended for which information was requested in a customer message from a user's mobile device.