Patent Description:
A popular way to make your own bubbly drinks at home is by way of a sparkling water maker, such as the one made by SodaStream™. The sparkling water makers typically come with:.

Usage of the sparkling water maker depletes the CO<NUM> in the cylinder and, as such, the cylinder will need to be replaced from time to time.

The cylinders are currently swapped in one of the following ways:.

It may not be convenient for the customer to travel all the way to a store to swap the cylinder in the manner set out in items <NUM> and <NUM> above. This may particularly be the case when the weather is inclement and/or travel is restricted.

Further, the above described system relies on the cashier, and ultimately the store owner, collecting the empty cylinders and contacting the sparkling water maker for collection and refilling. A difficulty here is that the sparkling water maker does not know, at any given point in time, how many empty cylinders are being collected by the stores that they supply. Further again, how human error may lead to cylinders not being collected in total by the store. They tend to go missing which costs the supplier time and money.

In an attempt to address some of the above issues, the replacement process has been localised at some petrol stations, such as those including a Coles Express™ Store. The improved process includes the steps of:.

Being able to swap a cylinder at a local petrol station may be more convenient than travelling to a large store. However, the above described process is time consuming and relies on a large number of mechanical human steps, including the locking and unlocking of cages. Issues can arise with theft, for example, where the customer does not lock the cage properly. Also, the lack of security with the cage lends itself to the customer taking more than one cylinder without paying.

Also, as per processes <NUM> and <NUM>, the petrol station process still relies on the cashier, and ultimately the store owner, collecting the empty cylinders and contacting the sparkling water maker for collection and refilling. Again the difficulty here is that the sparkling water maker does not know, at any given point in time, how many empty cylinders are being collected by the stores that they supply. Further again, human error may lead to cylinders not being collected in total by the store. They tend to go missing.

Processes <NUM> and <NUM> also require the customer to directly interact with another person (i.e., the store assistant or cashier). For example, the customer must give the empty cylinder to the store assistant or cashier, and may be given the new cylinder directly by the store assistant or cashier. This process lends itself to hygiene risks and the spread of disease due to one or both of the following:.

Furthermore, a customer accessing a cage of replacement cylinders can touch multiple surfaces, including:.

It is generally desirable to overcome or ameliorate one or more of the above described difficulties, or to at least provide a useful alternative.

In relation, <CIT> relates to supplying and making available gas bottles for essentially domestic or professional use. <CIT> relates to remotely selling and delivering articles. In particular, the invention relates to a remote cage vending system. <CIT> relates generally to the vending of canisters through semi-automated systems and has particular relevance to the sale and/or exchange of propane canisters or tanks. <CIT> relates generally to vending and dispensing machines and in particular to such a machine for vending a compressed gas cylinders, such as those used in welding. <CIT> relates to a filling station for refillable fluid containers. In particular, a self-serve fluid refilling station with cylinder dispenser equipped with a pre-filled refillable fluid container exchange system. <CIT> teaches a method and apparatus for controlling rented or leased or loaned equipment. <CIT> generally relates to merchandisers such as coolers and other types of product dispensers.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided a vending machine system for exchanging CO<NUM> gas cylinders, the system including a controller in communication with a user interface, a payment system and an array of bin assemblies, wherein each one of the bin assemblies is shaped to at least partially receive an end of a CO<NUM> gas cylinder and includes a locking system for releasably securing therein a CO<NUM> gas cylinder, said system for performing the steps of:.

Preferably, the system includes the steps of updating a status of the bin assembly as holding a full CO<NUM> gas cylinder.

Preferably, the step of unlocking include the step of unlocking a plurality of empty CO<NUM> gas cylinder from a respective bin assembly for replacement by the user. The step of receiving includes receiving a plurality of full CO<NUM> gas cylinders in respective emptied bin assemblies. Preferably, the system includes the step of updating a status of the bin assemblies as holding a full CO<NUM> gas cylinders.

The step of unlocking preferably includes the step of illuminating a light emitting diodes associated with each one of the bin assemblies holding empty CO<NUM> gas cylinders.

In accordance with the invention there is also provided a method for remotely controlling a CO<NUM> gas cylinder vending machine system on a user device, the method including:.

The vending machine system can be installed in any convenient location with <NUM> hour access. Customers (also referred to as "users") can use the vending machine system to swap an empty CO<NUM> gas cylinder for a full CO<NUM> gas cylinder.

Being able to swap a cylinder at a local vending machine of the above described type is more convenient than travelling to a large store. Furthermore, exchanging CO<NUM> gas cylinder using the above described vending machine minimises reliance on human steps for locking and unlocking of cages. The vending machine makes theft of CO<NUM> gas cylinders more difficult.

Further, the vending machine securely collects and safely stores returned CO2 gas cylinders. As such, accurate stock of cylinders is maintained by the vending machine.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are hereafter described, by way of nonlimiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

The vending machine system <NUM> shown in <FIG> is used for exchanging CO<NUM> gas cylinders <NUM>. The system <NUM> is advantageously embodied as a standalone vending machine <NUM> as shown in <FIG> for swapping and buying new CO<NUM> cylinders. Alternatively, the components of the system <NUM> can be distributed over different locations and are in communication on standard communication networks using standard communication protocols.

The vending machine <NUM> can be installed in any convenient location with <NUM> hour access, for example. Customers (also referred to as "users") can use the vending machine <NUM> to swap an empty CO<NUM> gas cylinder <NUM> for a full CO<NUM> gas cylinder.

As shown in <FIG>, the system <NUM> includes a controller <NUM> in communication with a user interface <NUM>, a payment system <NUM> and an array <NUM> of bin assemblies. Each one of the bin assemblies <NUM> is shaped to at least partially receive an end <NUM> of a CO<NUM> gas cylinder <NUM> and includes a locking system <NUM> for releasably securing therein a CO<NUM> gas cylinder <NUM>.

Advantageously, the system <NUM> also includes an authentication system <NUM> for confirming that an item received therein is a legitimate CO<NUM> gas cylinder <NUM>.

The system <NUM> performs the process <NUM> shown in <FIG>, including the step of receiving, at step <NUM>, user input through the user interface <NUM>. If, at step <NUM>, the user input represents a desire to exchange a CO<NUM> gas cylinder, then the system <NUM> performs the steps of:.

Advantageously, steps <NUM> and <NUM> can be performed in any order. For example, the step <NUM> of receiving payment can occur after the step <NUM> of receiving the item. In this embodiment, the step <NUM> of receiving user input could advantageously be equivalent to the step <NUM> of receiving an item. To this end, a customer could initiate an exchange by simply inserting a spent CO<NUM> gas cylinder into an empty bin assembly <NUM>.

The user interface <NUM> shown in <FIG> includes a "Swap" function button <NUM> that is used to represent a desire to exchange a CO<NUM> gas cylinder <NUM>.

The user can perform this function by simply inserting the expired CO<NUM> cylinder <NUM> into an empty bin assembly <NUM> in the array <NUM>, making a selection through the user interface <NUM> and making a payment through the payment system <NUM>. The process is efficient and convenient with minimal human interaction. No issues arise with theft.

Further, the returned empty CO<NUM> gas cylinders <NUM> are securely stored in the machine <NUM>. As such, there are no issues with the cylinders <NUM> not being collected properly by cashiers and cylinders <NUM> going missing.

In order to release a CO<NUM> gas cylinder <NUM>, the controller <NUM> electronically triggers the locking system <NUM> on an appropriate bin assembly <NUM> to open. In response to this request, the locking system <NUM> releases the cylinder <NUM> to the user.

The step, <NUM>, of releasing the CO<NUM> gas cylinder <NUM> preferably includes the step of identifying a suitable cylinder <NUM> to release. Advantageously, the locking system <NUM> releases a full CO<NUM> gas cylinder <NUM> from a bin <NUM> in the array <NUM> that is closest to the bin <NUM> where the empty CO<NUM> gas cylinder <NUM> was returned.

The system <NUM> preferably illuminates an LED ring on the empty bin assembly <NUM> selected to receive the empty CO<NUM> gas cylinder <NUM> from the user.

If, at step <NUM>, the user input received represents a desire to purchase a full CO<NUM> gas cylinder <NUM> without replacement, then the system <NUM> performs the steps of:.

The user interface <NUM> shown in <FIG> includes a "New" function button <NUM> that is used to represent a desire to purchase a full CO<NUM> gas cylinder <NUM> without replacement.

The step <NUM> of releasing the CO<NUM> gas cylinder <NUM> preferably further includes the steps of:.

In doing so, the system <NUM> releases a cylinder <NUM> in a bin assembly <NUM> that relates to the height of the user:.

If, at step <NUM>, the user input represents a desire to return an empty CO<NUM> gas cylinder <NUM> without replacement, then the system <NUM> performs the steps of:.

Advantageously, the system <NUM> performs the additional steps of asking the user if they want a receipt of the transaction through the user interface <NUM>. The transaction being the conclusion of the exchange of a CO<NUM> gas cylinder <NUM>, the purchase of a new CO<NUM> gas cylinder or the return of a CO<NUM> gas cylinder. This may be done by generating indicia on a display, for example. On receipt of confirmation from the user through the interface <NUM>, the system <NUM> generates a receipt for the transaction. The system <NUM> then performs the step of providing the receipt to the user. This is done by printing a physical copy of the receipt for the user through the user interface <NUM>. Alternatively, the receipt is provided by e-mail to the user, where the user enters his or her e-mail address through the user interface <NUM>.

If, at step <NUM>, the user input received represents a desire by to replace the empty CO<NUM> gas cylinders <NUM> with full CO<NUM> gas cylinders, then the system <NUM> performs the steps of:.

The step <NUM> of confirming that the person making the request include the steps of:.

Alternatively, the password is a QR code sent by the system to the user device and the system scans the QR code off the user device.

The step <NUM> of determining the bin assemblies <NUM> that hold empty CO<NUM> gas cylinders includes the step of setting an "Empty Bin" counter to the number of bin assemblies <NUM> that hold empty CO<NUM> gas cylinders. Further, the step <NUM> of updating the status of the bin assembly <NUM> include the additional step of decrementing the Empty Bin counter.

If, at step <NUM>, a full CO2 gas cylinder <NUM> is not received within a predetermined period of time, the system <NUM> assumes that the restacking process has been completed. The predetermined period of time is, for example, thirty seconds. Alternatively, any other suitable amount of time could be used. For example, anytime in the range of ten seconds to three minutes.

As described herein, the system <NUM> can perform steps that allow the user to interact with the system <NUM> with minimal or no contact with the system <NUM> and/or a vending machine <NUM> embodying the system <NUM>.

In particular, where step <NUM> of receiving user input is equivalent to step <NUM> of receiving an item in a first one of the bin assemblies <NUM>, this may be user input representing a desire to exchange a CO<NUM> cylinder. The receipt of the item (and, in some embodiments, the confirmation that the item is a legitimate CO<NUM> cylinder at step <NUM>) is followed by the receipt of payment from the user through the payment system <NUM> for a replacement CO<NUM> gas cylinder <NUM> at step <NUM>. The payment is received through contactless means that do not require the user to touch the system <NUM> or the vending machine <NUM>. For example, the payment can be received, via a contactless payment system as described hereinbelow. Following receipt of the relevant payment at step <NUM>, at step <NUM> the system <NUM> causes locking system <NUM> to release a full CO<NUM> gas cylinder <NUM> located in a second one of the bin assemblies <NUM> for collection by the user.

Furthermore, the user input received at step <NUM> can be equivalent to step <NUM> of receiving payment from the user through the payment system <NUM> for a full CO<NUM> gas cylinder <NUM> without replacement. In other words, if the user input at step <NUM> consists of the user processing a payment using the payment system <NUM> (i.e., step <NUM>), this is user input representing a desire to purchase a full CO<NUM> cylinder <NUM> without replacement. Following the receipt of the relevant payment at step <NUM>, at step <NUM> the system <NUM> causes locking system <NUM> to release a full CO<NUM> gas cylinder <NUM> located in a second one of the bin assemblies <NUM> for collection by the user.

Additionally, the user input received at step <NUM> may be equivalent to receiving an item in one of the bin assemblies <NUM> (at step <NUM>, and in some embodiments the confirmation that the item is a legitimate CO<NUM> cylinder at step <NUM>) followed by an absence of payment through the payment system <NUM> (e.g., within a prescribed period of time). Such user input represents a desire to return an empty CO<NUM> gas cylinder <NUM> without replacement. The system <NUM> then causes the locking system to lock the received cylinder <NUM> in the bin assembly <NUM> at step <NUM>. The system can also issue a credit to the user that is associated with the return of the CO<NUM> cylinder without replacement. The system <NUM> may issue the credit in accordance with at least one of the following methods:.

The system <NUM> may display one or messages to the user to indicate the appropriate user input at step <NUM> to initiate an exchange, purchase or return of a CO<NUM> cylinder. In one embodiment, instructions are displayed on user interface <NUM> indicating that the user should: (<NUM>) insert a used CO<NUM> cylinder and process a payment through payment system <NUM> to initiate an exchange, (<NUM>) process a payment through payment system <NUM> to initiate a purchase of a full CO<NUM> cylinder, or (<NUM>) insert a used CO<NUM> cylinder and wait to initiate a return without replacement.

Thus, the user is able to avoid touching any part of the system <NUM> and/or vending machine <NUM> apart from any of: a CO<NUM> cylinder the user is returning, a full CO<NUM> cylinder <NUM> that the user is collects, and a receipt printed by the system <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the bin assemblies <NUM> have a modular structure that allows for easy connection and removal of individual bin assemblies <NUM> from the array <NUM>. Individual bin assemblies <NUM> can be joined together in an array <NUM> of any size. Each individual bin assembly <NUM> can be slid out of the array <NUM> and replaced or serviced as needed.

With reference to <FIG>, each bin assembly <NUM> in the array <NUM> includes a tubular chassis <NUM> with an open end <NUM> that is shaped to receive and seat therein a CO<NUM> gas cylinder <NUM>. As shown, the tubular chassis <NUM> is formed in two parts which facilitates easy assembly. Alternatively, the tubular chassis <NUM> could be any other shape capable of receiving, and securing therein, an end section of a CO<NUM> gas cylinder <NUM>. In some embodiments, the tubular chassis <NUM> is capable of receiving and securing therein either of two end sections on opposite ends of a CO<NUM> gas cylinder. In alternative embodiments, the tubular chassis <NUM> is capable of securing one end of the CO<NUM> gas cylinder only (referred to as a 'securable end'), and not another end (referred to as a 'non-securable end').

As particularly shown in <FIG>, the locking system <NUM> of each bin assembly <NUM> in the array <NUM> includes a sled <NUM> that engages the CO<NUM> gas cylinder <NUM> as it is inserted in to the tubular chassis <NUM>. The sled <NUM> is adapted to translate with respect to the tubular chassis <NUM> towards a locked position in the manner shown in <FIG>. The sled <NUM> is in the locked position when the cylinder <NUM> is fully inserted into the chassis <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

The locking system <NUM> of each bin assembly <NUM> also includes a rotary latch <NUM> that is engaged by the sled <NUM> as it translates towards the locked position. A latching arm <NUM> secures the sled <NUM> in the locked position.

As shown in <FIG>, translation of the sled <NUM> towards the locked position pulls a locking bar <NUM> at least partially over the open end <NUM> of the tubular chassis <NUM> so as to secure the CO<NUM> gas cylinder <NUM> therein.

The locking system <NUM> also includes a tension spring <NUM> that resiliently urges the sled <NUM> away from the locked position. The tension spring <NUM> acts to drive the sled <NUM> towards the open end <NUM> of the chassis <NUM> when the locking system <NUM> releases the CO<NUM> gas cylinder <NUM>. This facilitates easy removal of the CO<NUM> gas cylinder <NUM> from the vending machine <NUM>.

The collar <NUM> includes pair of pins 58a, 58b that extend in opposite directions into respective slots 60a, 60b of the long linkage members 46a, 46b. The collar <NUM> is adapted to translate with respect to the long linkage members 46a, 46b along the length of the slots 60a, 60b.

When a CO<NUM> gas cylinder <NUM> is inserted into the tubular chassis <NUM>, the necked section <NUM> of the cylinder <NUM> engages the collar <NUM> and the collar <NUM> is subsequently urged to translate along the slots 60a, 60b towards the latching bar <NUM> on the sled <NUM>. Further, when the pins 58a, 58b of the collar <NUM> abut terminal end sections <NUM> of the slots 60a,60b, the cylinder <NUM> drives the sled <NUM> another <NUM>, for example, towards the rotary latch <NUM>, and the latching bar <NUM> engages an actuator arm <NUM> of the rotary latch <NUM> and urges it towards a locked position.

The double action of latching and locking of the locking system <NUM> secures the CO<NUM> gas cylinder <NUM> in the vending machine <NUM>. Although the locking system <NUM> has been above described in terms of the sled <NUM> translating through the chassis <NUM> and latching to the rotary latch <NUM> and pulling down of the locking bar <NUM>, other methods for releasably securing the CO<NUM> gas cylinders <NUM> in the vending machine <NUM> are anticipated. For example, the CO<NUM> gas cylinders <NUM> may be secured in the vending machine <NUM> by the locking system <NUM> from one end of the CO<NUM> gas cylinder <NUM> only (the securable end). Alternatively, CO<NUM> gas cylinders <NUM> may be secured in the vending machine <NUM> by the locking system <NUM> from either end.

The authentication system <NUM> includes:.

The latching sensor <NUM> and the locking sensor <NUM> confirm that an item inserted into the tubular chassis <NUM> is a legitimate CO<NUM> gas cylinder <NUM> when the sled <NUM> is in the locked position and the locking bar <NUM> at least partially overlies the open end <NUM> of the tubular chassis <NUM> so as to block removal of the cylinder <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the authentication system <NUM> alternatively, or in addition, includes one or more of the sensors <NUM> in communication with the controller <NUM> by way of a I<NUM>C interface or a GPIO, for example:.

These sensors act to confirm that the item inserted into the chassis <NUM> is a legitimate CO<NUM> gas cylinder <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the array <NUM> of bin assemblies <NUM> is made up of a plurality of clusters <NUM> of sub-arrays of bin assemblies. For example, each cluster includes nine bin assemblies <NUM>. The clusters <NUM> are modular and can be separately removed from the array <NUM> for repair, for example.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, each bin assembly <NUM> includes a door <NUM> that is operable between open and closed conditions of use. In the closed condition of use, the door <NUM> overlies the open end <NUM> of the tubular chassis <NUM> and inhibits ingress of external elements into the bin assembly <NUM>. For example, the door <NUM> inhibits entry of rain and dust into the bin assembly <NUM> when in the closed position. The door is preferably IP66 rated or similar.

When arranged in the open condition of use, the door <NUM> allows full access to the tubular chassis <NUM> to facilitate insertion and removal of CO<NUM> gas cylinders <NUM> into/from the machine <NUM>.

Each bin assembly <NUM> includes an actuator (not shown) that drives the door <NUM> between the open and closed conditions of use. The actuator is in communication with the controller <NUM> which governs its operation.

Advantageously, the locking system <NUM> includes use of the door <NUM> to secure a CO<NUM> gas cylinder in a tubular chassis <NUM> of a bin assembly.

As shown in <FIG>, if a user inserts the cylinder <NUM> the wrong way, the locking system <NUM> will not be able to lock the cylinder <NUM> in the chassis <NUM> and the process will abort.

Alternatively, the user interface <NUM> is a contactless user interface <NUM>. Advantageously, the contactless user interface <NUM> is a hands free interface that operates from voice commands or hand gestures.

The contactless user interface <NUM> may include at least one sensor button. <FIG> shows an embodiment in which the contactless user interface <NUM> has a display <NUM> and four sensor buttons, being:.

Each sensor button is activated by a user without requiring the user to come into physical contact with the button or any other part of the vending machine system <NUM>. For example, each sensor button may be an infrared sensor button that is activated by a user holding a portion of their hand over the button in close proximity. However, each sensor button can also be any other kind of suitable sensor that can be activated by the user without touching it. Each of the sensor buttons can include a visual indicator to indicate to the user that it has been activated, such as an LED light on or around the button.

The contactless user interface <NUM> may include a proximity sensor <NUM> for sensing when a user has approached the vending machine system <NUM>. The proximity sensor <NUM> detects the presence of a user in the vicinity of the vending machine system <NUM>, and may only detect the presence of a user within a particular radius of the vending machine system <NUM>. The proximity sensor <NUM> may include, for example, one or more of the following:.

The controller <NUM> is configured to switch the vending machine system <NUM> from a low power mode to a normal operation mode when the proximity sensor <NUM> senses that a user has approached the system <NUM>. Therefore, if the proximity sensor <NUM> detects that a user has approached the vending machine system <NUM>, e.g., because it detects an object within a threshold vicinity of the vending machine system <NUM>, the controller <NUM> switches the vending machine system <NUM> out of the low power mode into the normal operation mode so that the user can interact with the vending machine system <NUM>, e.g., to return, purchase and/or exchange a CO<NUM> gas cylinder <NUM>. After a transaction with the user has been completed, the controller <NUM> automatically switches the vending machine system <NUM> back into the low power mode in order to reduce its power consumption. In the low power mode, some features of the vending machine system <NUM> such as the authentication system <NUM> and the payment system <NUM> may be disabled.

The contactless user interface <NUM> may include a speech recognition system configured to receive a user voice command via the microphone <NUM> and determine whether the user voice command corresponds to a user input representing a desire to either exchange, purchase or return a CO<NUM> gas cylinder <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the contactless user interface <NUM> may perform a method <NUM> including the following steps:.

The speech recognition system is activated at step <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may activate the speech recognition system, e.g., based on the proximity detector <NUM> sensing that a user has approached the vending machine system <NUM>, or based on an item being received in one of the bin assemblies <NUM>. Therefore, the steps may occur in more than one order - for example by the step of receiving an item in the bin assembly <NUM> (step <NUM> or <NUM>) occurring prior or simultaneously to the speech recognition system being activated (step <NUM>).

As shown in <FIG>, the contactless user interface <NUM> may include a display <NUM>, the proximity sensor <NUM> and a microphone <NUM>. The display may render prompts and other messages to be displayed to the user, e.g., at step <NUM> of method <NUM>.

Advantageously, the instead of a rotary latch <NUM>, the bin assemblies <NUM> include a worm drive.

In the example shown in <FIG>, the system <NUM> includes:.

The controller <NUM> is in communication with the bin assemblies <NUM> by way of the Bus Master. This would normally be the closest set of <NUM> bins to the Controller <NUM>.

The protocol between the Controller <NUM> and the Bus Master <NUM> supports the ability to communicate via RS485 Bus <NUM> which can send and receive data from each individual Bin assembly <NUM> back through the Bus Master <NUM> to the controller <NUM>.

The system <NUM> supports the ability for remote updating of both Firmware and Applications, where required.

As shown in <FIG>, the user interface <NUM> includes a touch screen <NUM> and touchless sensors <NUM> that are configured to interface with the controller <NUM> through respective USB and GPIO interfaces.

The controller <NUM> is preferably in communication with a facial recognition system <NUM> by way of a MIPI / DSI interface.

The controller <NUM> is preferably a control module including a central processing unit. For example, the controller <NUM> includes a Broadcom BCM2711 or similar and the CPU for cluster of nine bins <NUM> will be a STM32F411 or similar. The central processing unit is in communication with non-transient data storage that include instructions stored there on that engage the system components to perform the steps <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

Alternatively, the controller <NUM> includes a plurality of central processing units each in communication with non-transient data storage that include instructions stored there on that engage the system components to perform the steps <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

Further, the controller can include a field programmable gate array that has been configured to engage the system components to perform the steps <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, the payment system <NUM> includes a payment terminal in communication with the controller <NUM> via a USB port or a TTL UART. The payment system <NUM> uses standard systems for effecting point of sale transactions.

The payment system <NUM> may be configured to receive payment in the form of a cryptocurrency (referred to as a 'crypto-payment').

The payment system <NUM> may be a contactless payment system, such that the user does not have to come into physical contact with the payment system <NUM> (or the vending machine system <NUM>) in order to execute a payment for a new or replacement CO<NUM> gas cylinder <NUM>, or a credit for return of a CO<NUM> gas cylinder <NUM>. For example, the contactless payment system may be configured to receive payment from the user via a contactless payment platform such as Mastercard's Paypass™ platform.

As shown in <FIG>, the vending machine <NUM> has an open front to allow entry and exit of CO<NUM> gas cylinders. The vending machine <NUM> preferably provides the following advantages:.

Alternatively, the vending machine <NUM> includes one or more main doors <NUM> to safe guard the array <NUM> of bin assemblies <NUM> from ingress of contaminants (such as dust and water), as shown in <FIG>. Each main door <NUM> has an Ingress Protection rating of IP66. Each main door <NUM> is hinged to allow access to the bin assemblies <NUM>. Each main door <NUM> is biased so as to default closed position covering the bin assemblies <NUM>.

Each main door <NUM> preferably includes a lock (not shown). This may protect the array <NUM> of bin assemblies <NUM>, and the CO<NUM> cylinders from exposure to the elements (e.g., by the door blowing open) as well as from tampering or other deliberate damage. The system <NUM> communicates with the lock to release the door <NUM> when the system receives appropriate user input. For example, the system <NUM> unlocks the main door <NUM> after it has received payment through payment system <NUM> for purchase or exchange of a CO<NUM> cylinder <NUM>. After the user has appropriately inserted and/or retrieved the CO<NUM> cylinder <NUM> (as indicated by their user input), the system <NUM> locks the main door <NUM>. The system <NUM> advantageously includes an actuator (not shown) that operates to open and close the door based on a communication sent from the controller <NUM>. The system <NUM> may automatically open and close the door <NUM> so that the user does not have to touch the door to access the array <NUM> of bin assemblies <NUM> to insert or retrieve a CO<NUM> cylinder. The system <NUM> may lock/unlock main door <NUM> by the controller <NUM>. The system <NUM> may automatically open and close main door <NUM> by the controller <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an embodiment of vending machine <NUM> that has two main doors: high main door 15a and low main door 15b. In accordance with this embodiment, the system <NUM> unlocks one of the high main door 15a and the low main door 15b based on one or both of:.

Alternatively, the system <NUM> unlocks both of the doors 15a and 15b, e.g., so that the user can choose which bin assembly <NUM> in the array <NUM> to insert the used CO<NUM> cylinder.

The system <NUM> shown in <FIG> is used for remotely controlling a vending machine system <NUM> for CO<NUM> gas cylinders <NUM> using a user device <NUM>. As described hereinabove, the vending machine system <NUM> includes controller <NUM>, payment system <NUM>, bin assemblies <NUM>. The vending machine system <NUM> may also include a communication interface <NUM> for exchanging data via communications network <NUM> and/or wireless communications link <NUM>.

The user device <NUM> includes a vending machine application <NUM>, data store <NUM>, display <NUM>, communication module <NUM> and camera <NUM>. User device may be a mobile phone, tablet device, laptop computer or any other suitable computing device.

The system <NUM> performs a method for remotely controlling a CO<NUM> gas cylinder vending machine system <NUM>, including steps of:.

A vending machine application <NUM> is executed on user device <NUM> to provide functionality to the user via the remote vending machine user interface <NUM>, displayed to the user on display <NUM>.

Vending machine application <NUM> is a specialised software application that enables communication between the user device <NUM> and one or more servers and/or other devices over communications network <NUM>. The application <NUM> may be a native application on the user device that has access to the communications network <NUM>, which may be downloadable from a mobile software distribution platform. However, application <NUM> can also be a web application (or 'web app') that is accessed through a web browser on the user device <NUM> by downloading one or more webpages hosted by a server <NUM>.

The vending machine application <NUM> may require the user to login with their user account details, e.g., with an account username and password, so that any operation of the vending machine system <NUM> and corresponding transactions can be tracked and stored to data store <NUM>, and later transmitted to server <NUM> to be stored in a server data store again the user's account details.

The user device <NUM>, operable by the user, is in communication with server <NUM> via communications network <NUM>. Vending machine system <NUM> may also be connected to communications network <NUM>, and therefore the user device <NUM> and the vending machine system <NUM> may be able to communicate with each other over communications network <NUM>.

The communications network <NUM> can be a local or wide area network, or a combination of the plurality of different local or wide area some networks. The user device <NUM> includes a communications module <NUM> configured to exchange data over the communications network <NUM>. The server <NUM> receives requests from the user device <NUM> in relation to operating a particular vending machine system <NUM>. The server <NUM> processes the requests and communicates with the vending machine system <NUM> to accordingly perform relevant operations.

Alternatively or additionally, the user device <NUM> may directly communicate with the vending machine system <NUM> via wireless communications link <NUM>. The wireless communication link <NUM> uses a standard communication protocol such as: Bluetooth, BLE, Wi-Fi or Near-Field Communication (NFC). Wireless communications link <NUM> is formed between the communications module <NUM> of the user device <NUM> and the communication interface <NUM> of the vending machine system <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an exemplary remote vending machine user interface <NUM> which may be displayed by the user device <NUM> on display <NUM>. The remote vending machine user interface <NUM> is configured so that when displayed on display <NUM>, the user is able interact with the user interface <NUM> so as to use the vending machine application <NUM> to select one or more options to operate the vending machine system <NUM>, e.g., the "purchase", "exchange", "return" and "Maintenance" functions as described hereinabove. The user may interact with the user interface <NUM> via, for example, a touch sensitive display, a stylus, a microphone of the user device <NUM> or one or more controls of the user device (e.g., mechanical buttons).

The communications module <NUM> of the user device <NUM> receives a remote vending machine user interface <NUM> from the vending machine system <NUM>. The remote vending machine user interface <NUM> allows the user to exercise user input relating to their desired operation of the vending machine system <NUM> on the user device <NUM>, rather than the user interface <NUM> of the vending machine system <NUM>. In this way, the user can avoid touching or coming into close proximity with a surface of the user interface <NUM> which may have been touched by previous users of the vending machine system <NUM>. The remote vending machine user interface <NUM> may be unique to vending machine system <NUM>, i.e., each of a plurality of vending machine systems <NUM> corresponds to a unique remote vending machine user interface.

The remote vending machine user interface <NUM> is transmitted by the communication interface <NUM> of the vending machine system <NUM>, and received by the communications module <NUM> of the user device <NUM> via at least one of the following:.

The remote vending machine user interface <NUM> may only be transmitted by the communication interface <NUM> if the user device <NUM> is within a certain proximity of the vending machine system <NUM>. This ensures that the vending machine application <NUM> does not receive any user input relating to a particular vending machine system <NUM> when the user is not within a certain proximity of the system <NUM> such that they user is likely to actually interact with the system <NUM> (e.g., to purchase, exchange, return a CO<NUM> gas cylinder, or for maintenance on the machine).

The method may include the user device <NUM> performing the following steps:.

The method may include the server <NUM> performing steps of:.

The indicia uniquely identifying the vending machine system <NUM> is a barcode such as a 2D barcode, e.g., or a Quick-Response (QR) code. The indicia is located on a vending machine <NUM> that includes vending machine system <NUM> such that it is accessible to be scanned by the user using the camera <NUM> of the user device <NUM>. The indicia encodes a URL to which a web request can be sent by the communications module <NUM> of the user device <NUM> to server <NUM> located at that URL. The URL may be associated with and thereby give the user access to the vending machine application <NUM> where it is a web application. Alternatively, the URL may be associated with a web resource, which when requested by the user device <NUM>, allows the user device <NUM> to receive the remote vending machine user interface <NUM> for the vending machine system <NUM> (e.g., for use with a native application).

The user device <NUM> decodes the scanned indicia by executing instructions stored in data store <NUM>, such as instructions associated with stored barcode or QR code reading software. The user device <NUM> may alternatively transmit an image of the indicia to the server <NUM>, which decodes the indicia and sends a response containing the URL back to the user device <NUM>.

The user device <NUM> transmits a request to the vending machine system <NUM> to use the vending machine system <NUM>. The request may be made in response to user input indicating such a request on the user device <NUM>. The vending machine system <NUM> receives the request from the user device <NUM> to use the vending machine system <NUM>. The request is received at the communication interface <NUM>, and may be communicated over communications network <NUM> or wireless communications link <NUM>.

Upon receiving the request, the vending machine system <NUM>:.

The proximity threshold is, for example, two meters. Alternatively, the proximity threshold is any suitable range that a user can functionally interact with the system <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the step of determining a proximity of the user device <NUM> is effected by the system <NUM> completing a handshake with the user device <NUM>. For example, the system <NUM> generates:.

The vending machine system <NUM> may determine the proximity of the user device <NUM> based on location data included in the request.

Therefore, any further user input by the user on the user device <NUM> will not prompt the vending machine system <NUM> to perform further steps unless the user is within the proximity threshold distance. This may prevent users from erroneously attempting to interact with a vending machine system <NUM> that is not close by (e.g., another vending machine system in a different location that the user has previously interacted with), as well as users who deliberately attempt to interfere with the vending machine system <NUM> for illegitimate purposes (e.g., to prevent legitimate users from interacting with the system <NUM>).

The vending machine application <NUM> may also be capable of processing payments which are then communicated to the payment system <NUM> of the vending machine system <NUM> (e.g., over communications network <NUM>). The user device <NUM> performs steps of:.

The notification of the payment may be transmitted to the communications interface <NUM> of the vending machine system <NUM> via communications network <NUM> or wireless communications link <NUM>. Once the controller has communicated to payment system <NUM> that the payment has been received, the payment system <NUM> recognises that a payment has been processed and accordingly may allow a CO<NUM> gas cylinder <NUM> to be received in one of the bin assemblies <NUM> and/or release a full CO<NUM> gas cylinder <NUM> for collection by the user.

As used herein, an element recited in the singular and proceeded with the word "a" or "an" should be understood as not excluding plural of said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments "comprising" or "having" an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional such elements not having that property.

Claim 1:
A vending machine system for exchanging CO<NUM> gas cylinders, the system (<NUM>) including a controller (<NUM>), wherein the controller (<NUM>) is in communication with a user interface (<NUM>), a payment system (<NUM>) and an array (<NUM>) of bin assemblies (<NUM>), wherein each one of the bin assemblies (<NUM>) is shaped to at least partially receive an end of a CO<NUM> gas cylinder (<NUM>) and includes a locking system (<NUM>) for releasably securing therein a CO<NUM> gas cylinder (<NUM>) , said system (<NUM>) for performing the steps of:
(a) receiving user input through the user interface (<NUM>); and
(b) if the user input represents a desire to conduct maintenance, then the system (<NUM>) performs the steps of:
(i) confirming that the user is authorized to conduct maintenance;
(ii) unlocking an empty CO<NUM> gas cylinder (<NUM>) from a respective bin assembly (<NUM>) for removal by the user; and
(iii) receiving a full CO<NUM> gas cylinder (<NUM>) in an emptied bin assembly; and
(iv) securing the full CO<NUM> gas cylinder (<NUM>) received in the emptied bin assembly (<NUM>),
wherein each bin assembly (<NUM>) in the array (<NUM>) includes a tubular chassis (<NUM>) shaped to receive and seat therein a CO<NUM> gas cylinder (<NUM>); and
wherein the locking system (<NUM>) of each bin assembly (<NUM>) in the array (<NUM>) includes a sled (<NUM>) that engages the CO<NUM> gas cylinder (<NUM>) as it is inserted in to the tubular chassis (<NUM>) and translates with respect to the tubular chassis (<NUM>) towards a locked position.