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16. Cmode: i-mode, wallet phones, TASPO and vending machines:

 

 

16.1. What is C-Mode?

Cmode is a service linking i-mode with special "Cmode" (or with Japanese nickname: "shimo") Coca-Cola vending machines. Cmode services allow users to purchase or obtain free coupons, maps, and other tickets printed by the printer in the vending machine, allow to pay cash into the user's Cmode account, obtain reward points for purchases, obtain or purchase information to be seen on the screen, or to be downloaded into the users mobile phone.

 

16.2. What is the difference between a c-mode machine and an ordinary Coca-Cola vending machine?

Like most Japanese vending machines, Cmode vending machines accept coins and 1000-yen bank notes, and dispense a variety of differently flavored soft drinks. In addition to non-Cmode machines, Cmode machines have a color liquid crystal display, some have a camera with bar code recognition system, have a data connection to the imode system, a numeric input pad, a Cmode button to activate the Cmode functions, and some have a printer. Recent models have a reader/writer system for "seifu-keitai" wallet phones.

 

16.3. Does C-Mode allow users to charge soft drinks directly to the mobile phone bill?

No. Drinks are charged to a separate independent C-Mode account which needs to be loaded via the C-Mode system, or via collected points.

 

16.4. How do users pay for drinks?

The easiest way is to pay via cash stored in the wallet-phone account for c-mode.

 

16.5. When was C-mode started?

C-mode was in a test phase from September 3, 2001 until December 31, 2001. After these tests were completed successfull, C-mode machines were introduced all over Japan. Currently, 2008, C-Mode has been developed for about 7 years.

 

16.6. Where are C-Mode machines located?

During the test phase (September 3 - December 31, 2001) there were only three machines installed for testing: two in Shibuya, and one machine in Tokyo's Odaiba area. Today there are C-Mode machines all over Japan, and many other vending machine operators in addition to Coca-Cola have also introduced vending machines where payment can be made with wallet phones and IC-Cards such as SUICA and PASMO.

 

16.7. What is TASPO?

TASPO (Tobacco Card, abbreviation stands for Tobacco no Passport) is an IC-chip card, which is issued

in Japan to adults proving that their age is above the legal age of 20 years for smoking. TASPO readers and writers are incorporated into all Tobacco vending machines in Japan, and from July 2008 cigarettes and tobacco can only be purchased with a valid TASPO card. TASPO cards also include electronic money (stored value) functions for electronic payment, and can be remotely disabled in case they are lost, stolen or misplaced. The TASPO Card system was developed by Japans Tobacco Institute (TIOJ), the association of tobacco retailers and by the vending machine manufacturers association.

 

 

 


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