| Entries |
| Document | Title | Date |
|---|
| 20080281465 | Carwash merchandising system - The car wash system delivers not only the car wash selected by the customer but also provides a bonus product when a premium car wash selection is made. A second feature of this invention is the timing of the deliver of the bonus product. It must be delivered before the car wash cycle begins. | 11-13-2008 |
| 20080319575 | HANDLING OF MULTI-USE ITEM SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND DEVICES - Systems, methods, and devices are described related to the assignment and management of patient-specific bins. A dispensing device at a healthcare facility includes a number of bins for storage of medical supplies, with some of the bins designated as patient-specific bins allocated to be assigned to patients for storage of their medications or certain other supplies. A central server computer system, in communication with a computer of the dispensing device, may monitor and assign current and future patient-specific use of the bins for the dispensing device. The assignment and management of patient-specific bins may be performed by devices distributed through the system. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20090030548 | Automatic Vending Machine - The preset invention relates to an automatic vending machine that provides novel services so as to attract the interest of purchasers to promote use of the automatic vending machine. An automatic vending machine ( | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090048708 | FUEL DISPENSER - A fuel dispenser comprising a housing having at least one display, a fuel dispensing apparatus mounted within the housing, the fuel dispensing apparatus having control electronics, and at least one directional speaker operatively coupled to the fuel dispensing apparatus control electronics and configured to project a directed cone of sound over a limited area proximate the fuel dispenser housing to prevent users of adjacent fuel dispensers from hearing communications projected over the at least one directional speaker. | 02-19-2009 |
| 20090048709 | FUEL DISPENSER - A fuel dispenser comprises a housing, a fuel dispensing apparatus mounted within the housing, the fuel dispensing apparatus having control electronics, at least one touch display mounted in the housing and operatively coupled to the control electronics, the touch display being configured to allow a user to make selections for conducting a transaction, a nozzle operatively coupled to the fuel dispensing apparatus and a camera operatively coupled to the fuel dispensing apparatus control electronics. The at least one of the camera and the touch display being configured to detect the presence of a user without the user physically touching the fuel dispenser, and in response to detecting the presence of the user, the fuel dispenser control electronics activates the at least one display so that instructions are presented to the user. | 02-19-2009 |
| 20090048710 | FUEL DISPENSER - A method of conducting a transaction at fuel dispenser comprises the steps of providing a fuel dispenser having a fuel dispensing apparatus, control electronics operatively connected to the fuel dispensing apparatus, at least one display mounted in the housing and operatively coupled to the control electronics, a nozzle operatively coupled to the fuel dispensing apparatus, and an input device having a laser configured to display a virtual keypad, monitor the virtual keypad for user entry and a scanner for detecting user selections made on the virtual keypad, wherein the user selections are transmitted to the control electronics. The method further comprising receiving at least one piece of information from the user, displaying the virtual keypad onto a surface apart from the fuel dispenser, detecting user inputs on the keypad, and starting a transaction based on the user inputs and the at least one piece of information. | 02-19-2009 |
| 20090076650 | Article storage and retrieval apparatus and vending machine - A apparatus for moving an article that contains a first telescoping tube movably connected to a second telescoping tube, a suction cup connected to said first telescoping tube, and a drive assembly connected to the first telescoping tube. | 03-19-2009 |
| 20090157220 | PRODUCTS AND PROCESSES FOR COMMUNICATING INFORMATION REGARDING A PRODUCT DISPENSED BY A VENDING MACHINE - According to an embodiment, information about a product is communicated to at least one customer of a vending machine. It is determined whether to dispense a product from the vending machine, and the product is dispensed from the vending machine. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090210088 | APPARATUS AND A METHOD AND A SYSTEM FOR DISPENSING GOODS - The invention relates to a dispenser apparatus for goods, said apparatus comprising a storage unit ( | 08-20-2009 |
| 20090276085 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOTELY DISPENSING MEDIA DISCS - A system for dispensing media discs includes a storage system comprising a plurality of shelves for storing the media discs, a dispense system for dispensing the media discs to consumers, a disc transfer system for moving the media discs from the disc storage system to the dispense system, a control system operably connected to the disc transfer system to selectively activate the disc transfer system to move the media discs from the disc storage system to the dispense system, and a user interface system operably connected to the control system. The shelves are configured to store uncovered media discs. | 11-05-2009 |
| 20090276086 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOTELY DISPENSING MEDIA DISCS HAVING AN INVENTORY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - A system for dispensing media discs comprising, in combination, a storage system for storing the media discs, a dispense system for dispensing the media discs to consumers, a disc transfer system for moving the media discs from the disc storage system to the dispense system, and a control system operably connected to the disc transfer system to selectively activate the disc transfer system to move the media discs from the disc storage system to the dispense system. An inventory management system is operably connected to the disc transfer system to selectively activate the disc transfer system to move selected ones of the media discs from the disc storage system to a holding location located outside the disc storage system for manual removal. | 11-05-2009 |
| 20090276087 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOTELY DISPENSING MEDIA DISCS WITH A PLURALITY OF USER INTERFACE STATIONS - A system for dispensing media discs includes a kiosk including a storage system for storing a plurality of the media discs and a dispense system for dispensing the media discs to consumers. A plurality of dedicated user interface systems are operably connected to the kiosk so that multiple users can simultaneously interact with the kiosk. | 11-05-2009 |
| 20090276088 | Vending System and Method - A method of dispensing an age-restricted item from a vending machine at a first location is presented. The method includes receiving age documentation from a purchaser at a second location remote from the first location. The age of the purchaser is verified at the second location based on the received age documentation and direct visual inspection of the purchaser. Upon verification, a signal is sent from the second location to the vending machine that allows dispensing of the item. From the second location, it is visually verified that the purchaser receives the item from the vending machine at the first location. | 11-05-2009 |
| 20090306818 | Method for Retrofitting a Vending Machine - A method of retrofitting a vending machine for dispensing products or services. The method includes the steps of removing a vending machine controller from the vending machine, placing the vending machine in communication with a vending bridge, placing the vending bridge in communication with a remote data processing device having one or more virtual equipment modules, and communicating instructions from the virtual equipment modules to the vending machine via the vending bridge to dispense the products or services. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090306819 | Virtual Vending Machine in Communication with a Remote Data Processing Device - A vending machine system for dispensing goods or services. The vending machine system may include a vending machine with a vending mechanism, a data processing device remote from the vending machine, and a vending bridge. The vending bridge is in communication with the data processing device and the vending mechanism of the vending machine so as to instruct the vending mechanism to dispense the goods or the services. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20100017021 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR COORDINATING AUTOMATED PACKAGE AND BULK DISPENSING - An apparatus and method is provided for coordinating automated package and bulk dispensing at a remote site. A hopper apparatus includes a series of storage compartments and access doors. The compartments and doors are linked to a PLC that is further linked to an inventory provider. The inventory provider takes product orders from an end-user. The end-user is provided an end-user access code. The inventory provider communicates with the PLC and reserves for the ordered product(s) a vacant storage compartment(s). The inventory provider delivers the product(s) ordered by the end-user to the hopper apparatus. Upon delivery, the inventory provider enters the appropriate end-user access code(s), causing the PLC to open the storage compartment(s) previously reserved by the inventory provider for the products ordered by the end-user. The inventory provider loads the appropriate storage compartment(s) with the end-user product(s). The end-user subsequently picks up product(s) previously ordered by entering in his or her access code(s). | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100017022 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VENDING PRODUCTS - A method and apparatus is disclosed for advancing the sale of vending machine products. The invention enables selling products without revealing the identity of the product. By concealing the identity of the products from a consumer prior to receiving payment, the present invention promotes the automated sale of perishable, slow-selling and/or less profitable products, to increase the overall profitability of a vending machine. Various embodiments are disclosed, including: predetermined price embodiments in which a vending machine sells one or more mystery products for a predetermined price; consumer-specified price embodiments in which a consumer is allowed to specify a price for one or more mystery products; and upsell embodiments in which a vending machine offers one or more upsell mystery products in exchange for the amount of change owed to a consumer, or in exchange for an amount of change owed to a consumer plus an additional monetary value. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100030376 | EXCLUSIVITY SYSTEM AND METHOD - The present invention is directed to a system and method for ensuring a controlled supply source of web material | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100049361 | MEDICATION DISPENSING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A medication dispensing system and method where the patient can have his personal console capable of receiving an insert having a tray with an array of medication compartments corresponding to respective times and dates at which the medication is prescribed to be taken. A database in the console can be set with the specified times and dates at which the medication is to be taken. When the console determines the time to dispense medication in one of the compartments has been reached, a visual and/or audible indicator can be triggered. Membranes which are to be hand-removed by the patient cover the respective compartments. A detector provided under the insert can detect across the tray whether or not the membrane corresponding to the selected medication compartment has been removed. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100049362 | System for the Preparation and Distribution of Beverages in a Transportation Unit - The present invention relates to a modular beverage system incorporable into a transportation unit. The system comprises a power source, at least one user point, at least one vessel, at least one liquid transferring apparatus operatively associated with said power source; and piping. The vessel is adapted to store therein liquid. Activation the liquid transferring apparatus causes the distribution of at least some of the liquid from the vessel to respective user points via said piping. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100057250 | DOSAGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING A MEDICINE-TAKING SERVICE AND METHOD FOR SUPPORTING A MEDICINE-TAKING SERVICE USING THE SAME - Provided are a dosage management system and an apparatus and method for supporting a medicine-taking service. The dosage management system includes a dosage management server managing information required for a dosage schedule and support of a medicine-taking service, and transmitting a corresponding dosage schedule on demand of the dosage schedule; and an apparatus for supporting a medicine-taking service, wherein the apparatus for supporting a medicine-taking service deposits packets of medicines packaged in a series of medicine packets, receives a corresponding dosage schedule, displays medicine-tacking alarm according the received corresponding dosage schedule, sequentially discharges one of the deposited packets of medicines, checks whether a user takes a packet of medicines to transmit the result of taking medicine to the dosage management server. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100076595 | SMART PILL DISPENSER - A smart pill dispenser may be used to receive, store, track and/or dispense one or more pills for a user. The dispenser may be capable of tracking information related to the pills. Moreover, the user may manually enter their prescription details or alternatively, the dispenser may include a reader capable of reading the specific code and retrieving the details. The dispenser may be capable of informing the user when to take their pills. The dispenser may either automatically or manually quantify the pills in the dispenser. The dispenser may be capable of tracking medical parameters of the user that may be associated with the pills they are taking The dispenser may be capable of communicating with external sources such as a pharmacy to replenish the pills or a doctors office to renew a prescription or enable the doctor to modify the prescription. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100076596 | Article dispenser - An apparatus for selectively dispensing articles such as towels and wash cloths. The apparatus includes a housing having a dispensing mechanism for selectively releasing at least one article from one of at least two magazines, and a communication unit interoperable with the dispensing mechanism and the housing. The communication unit has a reader and a selection menu. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100094455 | DEVICE ATTACHED TO A BLISTER - The present invention concerns a device ( | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100100236 | Vending machines with lighting interactivity and item-based lighting systems for retail display and automated retail stores - Vending machines, automated retail stores, and retail displays with computer controlled, item-based lighting that produces variable visual effects in conjunction with actual or potential vends to provide an enhanced vending experience. Offered products are stored within display tubes that are arranged in orderly geometric arrays. RGB lighting through a plurality of LED banks within polygonal circuit boards associate with each display tube are controlled by a computer activation system that senses the presence of a customer, and the selection of a vend. Combinations of differently colored LED's are computer controlled on a per product basis to artistically illuminate available products and assist customers. Pre-programmed lighting sequences can switch LED off and on, vary their intensity, and alter resultant colors. A touch screen computer responds to user inputs for selections and transactions. Sensors detect the presence of potential customers, even without a customer input, to vary a display and attract mode. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100100237 | Smart Medicine Container - Present invention discloses a dispenser having means to dispense desired number of pills from a bulk supply of pills contained in the dispenser. The dispenser comprises of storage compartment having bulk supply of pills and having a discharge port emptying into counting compartment. The counting compartment contains first and second conveyors moving at first and second speed; wherein the second speed is greater than the first speed thereby enabling pill separation; the second conveyor discharges pills into dispensing compartment. Sensors are strategically placed along the conveyors to count pills discharged into dispensing compartment. A pill recovery system and apparatus is disposed inside the dispenser having means to recover pills remaining on conveyors upon completion of a dispensation cycle and deposit recovered pills back into the storage compartment for use in future dispensation cycles. A docking station having receptacles to accommodate dispenser is provided. Docking station has communication ports enabling two-way communication with personal computer. The dispenser has multiple security features including locking mechanisms at inlet and outlet; and internal circuitry that is responsive to the ‘disable’ electronic signal originating from dispenser's internal clock and remote server in communication link with the dispenser. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100106292 | UNIVERSAL BILL RECYCLER - A vending machine includes a coin handler, a bill handler, and a vending machine controller (VMC). The bill handler communicates with the coin handler and the VMC. The bill handler includes a bill recycler and a controller. The controller receives a Coin Tubes message from the coin handler. The Coin Tubes message includes information about a coin denomination available for dispensing in the coin handler. The controller produces a second Coin Tubes message by adding information about a bill denomination available for dispensing in the bill handler to the first Coin Tubes message. The controller sends the second Coin Tubes message to the VMC. The controller receives a Change Issue message from the VMC, that identifies an amount of money to be dispensed from the vending machine. In response, the controller causes the bill recycler to dispense at least one bill. | 04-29-2010 |
| 20100114365 | Beverage dispenser including an improved electronic control system - A beverage dispenser includes an electronic control system for controlling beverage dispenser components. The beverage dispenser components include at least a user interface, a dispensing valve, and a valve interface for regulating the delivery of a beverage from the dispensing valve. The electronic control system includes a microcontroller for monitoring the user interface and for activating the valve interface responsive to user input, thereby regulating the delivery of a beverage from the dispensing valve. The electronic control system further includes a program memory with firmware configured in a state machine system architecture for controlling the microcontroller. The state machine system architecture supports either a non-preemptive or a preemptive multitasking real time operating system. The firmware includes supervisory control firmware, dispenser tasks firmware, and low level drivers firmware. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100114366 | DISPENSERS PROVIDING CONTROLLED DISPENSING AND CONTROLLED DISPENSING METHODS - Dispensers and method for controlled dispensing of products, preferably paper products, are discussed in this patent disclosure. Various embodiments of the present invention can comprise a housing, a separating assembly, a feed mechanism, and an advancing mechanism. The housing can support inner components of the dispenser. The housing can hold a stack of paper product to be dispensed. The separating assembly can comprise a separating member. The separating member can separate one or more napkins from the stack. The separating member can be controlled by a controller for controlled dispensing operations. The feed mechanism can move the separated napkin or napkins toward a dispensing slot for dispensing. The advancing mechanism can advance the stack of napkins such that, as the stack is depleted from one end of the stack, a remainder of the stack is advanced toward the separating member for dispensing. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and described. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100131095 | Seed Dispenser Control - Control apparatus for a pneumatic seed meter having a seed disc that uses a pneumatic pressure differential to hold and release seed on a rotating disc. The control apparatus is controlled to disrupt the pressure differential in an area of the rotating disc to selectively disrupt planting of seed by the seed meter to, for example, reduce overlap planting. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100145507 | AUTOMATED BUSINESS SYSTEM AND METHOD OF VENDING AND RETURNING A CONSUMER PRODUCT - System and method of dispensing disc-based media and other consumer products. A user can interact with an automated business system to select disc-based media for rental and/or purchase. The automated business system can retrieve the selection from the interior of the automated business system and dispense the selection through a port to the user. The automated business system can retrieve the selection from the port in a return process. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100152892 | Device for displaying articles for sale, particularly flowers - Embodiments of the present invention relate to display devices for displaying cut flowers pivotally mounted with respect to a transparent display case. The display device comprises a drum and a container for an aqueous liquid therewithin. Additional embodiments of the present invention relate to vending machines comprising the display devices. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100168910 | AUTOMATED STORE ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR STORING AND DISPENSING MEDICAMENTS - An automated store arrangement ( | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100198400 | Method and Apparatus for Controlling a Vending Machine - A solution comprising cost-effective methods and techniques for converting a traditional vending machine into a vending machine with a graphical user interface, multimedia advertising and info kiosk capabilities. A key aspect of this invention is the integration of a consumer DVD player in a vending machine, in which the graphical user interface is implemented as DVD Menu structures stored on a DVD disc that also contains the video clips. Another aspect of this invention, is the changed logic of a traditional vending machine to delay item dispense until a video clip has been played. The present invention provides interfacing methods between a DVD player, a Vending Machine Controller and an optional microcontroller. These methods can be used to implement a communication protocol between a DVD player and a microcontroller. The methods and techniques of the invention can be integrated in an MDB peripheral device of a vending machine. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100249994 | EXPRESS CHECKOUT METHOD AND APPARATUS - Provided herein are systems, methods, and compositions for an express checkout vending machine that includes an input unit, a video display screen, and a communication unit. The vending machine also includes a dispensing unit adapted to receive and internally bag self-purchase items. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100268377 | RANDOM ACCESS AND RANDOM LOAD DISPENSING UNIT - The present invention provides a random access and random load dispensing unit including a housing, at least one support located in the housing and defining a first axis, a plurality of platforms movable along the support along the first axis, a plurality of bins supported on the platforms, the bins being movable with the platforms, and a shuttle assembly movable along the first axis and further movable along a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis between the plurality of platforms to access and retrieve products stored in the bins. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100280656 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VENDING GOODS - Methods and apparatus relating to the actions and/or functions of an apparatus for the vending of goods, and for shifting influence among entities with an interest in the vending of goods, which methods and apparatus facilitate the distribution of the risks and rewards involved in the operation the vending apparatus. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100286818 | SHEET PRODUCT DISPENSER WITH SENSOR FOR SHEET SEPARATION - A sheet product dispenser is provided. The sheet product dispenser includes a roll of sheet product, a dispensing arrangement, and a method of sensing the separation of a dispensed sheet product. A sensor is provided for detecting the movement of a movable member, such as a tear bar or paper guide. The sensor generates a signal in response to the movement of the movable member. A controller de-energizes a roller in said dispensing arrangement in response to said signal. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100286819 | PRODUCTS AND PROCESSES FOR COMMUNICATING INFORMATION REGARDING A PRODUCT DISPENSED BY A VENDING MACHINE - According to an embodiment, information about a product is communicated to at least one customer of a vending machine. It is determined whether to dispense a product from the vending machine, and the product is dispensed from the vending machine. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100312380 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REGULATING VENDIBLE MEDIA PRODUCTS - A system and method for regulating vendible media products is provided. A database stored information corresponding to a plurality of digital video discs within a vending apparatus at a vending location. A central server, having a memory, stores the database. An interface application interfaces with the central server and the database, and selects from the database a subset of the digital video discs. A vending processor within the vending apparatus receives a first signal from the central server, wherein the first signal comprises a list of digital video discs identifying the subset of digital video discs. The vending processor also generates a second signal to place the subset of digital video discs into a portable vending management module. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100318219 | System and Method for Communicating Vending Information - A system and method for communicating vending information is provided. The system includes a plurality of vending apparatuses, each containing a vending inventory comprised of vendible media products, and a control center in communication with the plurality of vending apparatuses configured to receive user information. The user information can include a vending request for a vendible media product and a location identifier. The system is further configured to select a vending apparatus from the plurality of vending apparatuses based on the location identifier, determine whether the requested vendible media product is in the vending inventory of the selected vending apparatus, and transmit an electronic message to a user-specified electronic mail address upon determining that the requested vendible media product is in the vending inventory of the selected vending machine. | 12-16-2010 |
| 20100332024 | AUTOMATIC VENDING MACHINE - An automatic vending machine ( | 12-30-2010 |
| 20100332025 | AUTOMATIC VENDING MACHINE - An automatic vending machine ( | 12-30-2010 |
| 20100332026 | AUTOMATIC VENDING MACHINE - An automatic vending machine ( | 12-30-2010 |
| 20100332027 | AUTOMATIC VENDING MACHINE - An automatic vending machine ( | 12-30-2010 |
| 20110022222 | CHARGING SYSTEM OF ELECTRIC POWERED VEHICLE - A charge instructing device installed in a space such as an indoor space in which the security is ensured reads key information (ID) stored in a vehicle key held in a key holding unit and transmits the read ID to an electric powered vehicle. Electric powered vehicle performs authentication by checking the ID transmitted from charge instructing device against registration information stored in advance. The result of the authentication is then transmitted from electric powered vehicle to charge instructing device. Charge instructing device permits a charger to charge electric powered vehicle according to the result of the authentication transmitted from electric powered vehicle. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110022223 | RETROFIT DATA COMMUNICATION AT FILLING STATIONS - A retrofit filling station communication system including a fuel dispensing island locatable communications adaptor assembly and a remote communications adaptor and legacy controller assembly including at least POS functionality, arranged to be coupled to existing underground wiring and to facilitate legacy and non-legacy communication at least associated with the POS functionality over the existing underground wiring with the fuel dispensing island locatable communications adaptor assembly and to facilitate legacy communication with pump control electronics via a legacy communications protocol employed by the pump control electronics prior to retrofit. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110022224 | AUTOMATIC DRUG DISPENSING AND DOSING TIME REMINDER DEVICE - The present invention relates to an automatic drug dispensing and dosing time reminder device, and more particularly, to an automatic drug dispensing and dosing time reminder device which automatically dispenses one dose of medication at every scheduled dosage time set by a user and simultaneously reminds a patient of the dosage time through a voice and a lamp to allow the patient to take prescribed medication at an accurate time, thus reminding the patient not to forget the dosage time in cases where the patient is a senior or weak person or busy and maximizing effects of treatment. The main body of the device of the present invention has a front surface on which an outlet is formed for dispensing one dose of medication. A circular mounting plate is integrally protruded from a top surface of the main body, and a fan-shaped first dispensing groove with a position sensor is formed at one end of the top surface of the main body within the mounting plate. The mounting plate has a center where a rotary shaft is exposed through a stepped portion, and a top surface where a container with a bottom center with a through hole for insertion of the rotary shaft is formed. The bottom surface of the container has a second dispensing groove same as the first dispensing groove. The container has an interior where a rotating body is installed. The rotating body has a center bottom connected to the rotary shaft. The container has a space formed by installing partition walls at a regular angle from the center thereof. The rotary body has reflection portions attached beneath ends of the partition walls. A motor is connected to the rotary shaft and installed in the main body of the device to rotate the rotating body. A dispensing passage is formed between the first dispensing groove and the outlet such that the first dispensing groove and the outlet can be communicated with each other. An input unit and an output unit are formed on the front surface of the main body, wherein the input unit includes a dosage time set part, a time set part, a power button, a reset button and a midday set part to set the current time and dosage time information. The output unit includes a time indicating part, a speaker and an indicating lamp to output results in accordance with the information set in the input unit. A controller is arranged within the main body of the device to control the motor by the basic information set by the input unit and the position sensor and display information through the output unit. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110035049 | Fuel delivery information system - A fuel delivery information system has a fuel pump having a first communication unit and a motor vehicle having a second communication unit. Communication between the second communication unit and the first communication unit controls fuel flow from the fuel pump to the motor vehicle. Fuel flow controls may include the price of the fuel, whether or not the fuel has been paid for, the type of fuel, and the engine of the motor vehicle being turned off. The first communication unit may be a barcode reader, an RFID tag reader, or a transceiver. The second communication unit may be a barcode, an RFID tag, and a transceiver. Communication between the first and second communication units may include a fuel usage characteristic, method of payment information, and a unique motor vehicle identifier. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110060454 | ARTICLE VENDING MACHINE AND METHOD FOR EXCHANGING AN INOPERABLE ARTICLE FOR AN OPERABLE ARTICLE - An article vending machine in a network of article vending machines capable of exchanging an inoperable rental article received from a user for an operable replacement article. The article dispensing machine checks customer identification information against one or more customer rental criteria to determine if the customer is eligible to exchange an inoperable article for an operable one. The article vending machine searches for an identical replacement article within an inventory of the machine itself and within inventories of the networked article vending machines. Alternatively, the article vending machine may provide a refund for the inoperable article. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110071668 | Vending machine monitoring system and its monitoring method - A vending machine monitoring method used in a vending machine monitoring system, which includes an automatic vending machine and a monitoring system that is attached to the automatic vending machine and uses a microprocessor to read in data signals transmitted between the main controller and peripheral apparatus (card-slide unit, bill acceptor, license recognition unit and coin slot unit) of the automatic vending machine through a connection interface, to process fetched data signals into waveform signals, to indicate any error message through an indicator light module, and to report processed waveform signals to an external remote system through a transmission module for display and further analysis and check of income. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110071669 | VENDING MACHINE AND CONTROL SYSTEM FOR PASSENGER VEHICLE-FOR-HIRE - A vending machine and associated control system in support of vending one or more items to a passenger in a rear passenger salon of a taxicab includes a computer having a processor and memory and a display arranged for viewing by the passenger. Code modules execute in the processor and provide interactive selection controls on at least a portion of the display. The passenger can cause an item to be vended from a remotely-located machine by interacting with the selection controls. One code module communicates vended item cost information to another module for inclusion in a calculation of a total fare for the taxicab ride and any vended items. The vending machine is preferably located in the taxicab trunk and is arranged to deliver items into the passenger salon through a rear deck of the taxicab. The vending machine can be refrigerated using, in part, the taxicab's air-conditioning system. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110077771 | Unit Dose Packaging And Associated Robotic Dispensing System And Method - A unit dose package is provided that facilitates the automated picking of the package. The unit dose package includes a plurality of individually packaged unit dose medications separated by perforations. The unit dose package also defines a hole that may be located along at least one perforation, such as at an intersection of at least two perforations, to permit the package to be stored by being suspended by a rod. A robotic dispensing system and method are also provided that facilitate the selective dispensation of unit dose packages having different numbers of individually packaged unit dose medications. The system includes first and second storage locations for storing first and second unit dose packages which have different numbers of individually packaged unit dose medication(s). The system also includes a controller to direct picking of the first or second unit dose packages dependant upon a requested number of individually packaged unit dose medication(s). | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110087369 | Dispenser For Product Packages - A modular vending and display system and a method of operation of the system, which is especially applicable to high-value and pilfer-prone products such as prestige fragrances, and to self-service shopping environments. The system enables shoppers to self-sample various scents and self-dispense fragrance product packages for later purchase. The system uses a plurality of modules which, upon actuation by a shopper, convey a package toward the shopper within individual enclosures such that only one package can be removed at a time, and then de-activate for a time delay period to prevent rapid removal of multiple packages from the module. The modules may interact, so that once a shopper has selected a product at one module in the system, other modules are also de-activated during the delay period. This reduces pilferage by making it difficult to remove more than one package during the delay period from a group of modules. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110098849 | ALL-IN-ONE DOOR SWITCH INTERFACE TO MULTIPLE CONTROLLERS WITHIN A VENDING MACHINE - A vending machine door switch interface allows multiple controllers, including the vending machine controller, to employ a single door switch without polarization or interference. The interface includes a comparator having inputs coupled across the door switch and, based on the door switch state, produces an output signal indicating whether the service door is closed or open. The comparator output when the service door is known to be open is recorded to subsequently distinguish open and closed states. Unbalanced connections to power and ground result in different voltages at the comparator inputs when the door switch is closed. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110125316 | UNIVERSAL BILL RECYCLER - A bill recycler accepts bills and payment and dispenses previously accepted bills as change in a vending machine including a vending machine controller and a coin handler. The bill recycler receives from the coin handler information relating to denomination(s) and quantities of coins available for dispensing by the coin handler, alters that information to include information relating to quantities of denomination(s) of bills available for dispensing by the bill recycler, then sends the altered information to the vending machine controller. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110137455 | Random Access and Random Load Dispensing Unit - The present invention provides a random access and random load dispensing unit including a housing, at least one support located in the housing and defining a first axis, a plurality of platforms movable along the support along the first axis, a plurality of bins supported on the platforms, the bins being movable with the platforms, and a shuttle assembly movable along the first axis and further movable along a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis between the plurality of platforms to access and retrieve products stored in the bins. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110153067 | SELF-SERVICE MEDIA RENTAL TERMINAL AND METHOD OF OPERATING A SELF-SERVICE MEDIA RENTAL TERMINAL HAVING A PLURALITY OF CUSTOMER INTERFACES - A self-service entertainment media rental terminal comprises a first customer interface for enabling a first customer to interact with the terminal to rent a media item on which entertainment data is stored from the terminal, a second customer interface for enabling a second customer to interact with the terminal to return a media item on which entertainment data is stored to the terminal, a media storage bin for (i) storing media items to be dispensed when a customer rents a media item, and (ii) storing media items which have been returned from a customer, a media transport mechanism arranged to (i) support movement of media items between the media storage bin and the first customer interface, and (ii) support movement of media items between the media storage bin and the second customer interface, and a controller arranged to (i) receive customer input data through the first customer interface, (ii) receive customer input data through the second customer interface while customer input data is being received through the first customer interface, and (iii) control operation of the media transport mechanism based upon the customer input data received through the first customer interface and customer input data received through the second customer interface. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110153068 | METHOD FOR CONTROL OF HUMIDITY AND AUTO-DISPENSING OF PILLS IN A PILL BOX - A method for control of humidity and auto-dispensing of pills in a pill box includes a box having multiple rooms defined therein which are shifted to be in alignment with an outlet. The method controls the humidity in each of the rooms and provides a control unit which controls a transmission unit to proceed a mechanical action to shift the rooms to be in alignment with the outlet according to a time setting signal so as to dispense at least one pill. The method includes a display unit to display time information and provides a reminder to take pills by way of audio and/or light. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110153069 | MEDICATION SUPPORTING APPARATUS, METHOD OF DISCHARGING STORAGE BOX THEREOF, AND MEDICATION SUPPORTING SYSTEM AND METHOD - Provided is a medication supporting apparatus, which includes an output unit providing an alarm and a warning according to a medication situation of a user, an input unit receiving a medicine discharge instruction from the user, a medicine storage box cartridge storing a plurality of medicine storage boxes in a stacked fashion, and a discharge module discharging a lowermost one of the medicine storage boxes of the medicine storage box cartridge to an outside according to the medicine discharge instruction. Thus, when the user requests the discharge of medicine, the medicine to be taken at a time according to a corresponding schedule can be discharged without a discharge error. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110153070 | System and Method for Controlling Delivery of Materials Into Sub-Surface - A system includes a first chamber configured to hold a liquid and a second chamber configured to hold the particles. A first pump transfers the particles from the second chamber to a third chamber. A first valve during a first time period regulates the delivery of the liquid into the third chamber through a first opening. A second opening directs jets of liquid from the third chamber during the first time period to form holes in the ground. A second valve is operable during a second time period to regulate the first pump to transfer the particles to the third chamber. The first valve is operable during a third time period to regulate the delivery of the liquid to the third chamber through the first opening causing jets of the particles to be directed through the second opening into the holes. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110160901 | System and Method for Dispensing Prescriptions - A pharmaceutical dispensing system includes: a frame having opposed replenishment and dispensing sides; a plurality of bins configured to house pharmaceutical tablets, each of the bins being accessible from the replenishment of the frame for replenishment of pharmaceutical tablets; a plurality of chutes, each of the chutes connected to and associated with a respective one of the plurality of bins, each of the chutes being accessible from the dispensing side of the frame for dispensing of pharmaceutical tablets; a controller operatively associated with the plurality of bins and the plurality of chutes; a replenishment side security camera mounted on the replenishment side of the frame and connected with the controller, the replenishment side security camera being configured to take an image of a person positioned to access the plurality of bins; and a dispensing side security camera mounted on the dispensing side of the frame and connected with the controller, the dispensing side security camera being configured to take an image of a person positioned to access the plurality of chutes. | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110172812 | PORTABLE, PERSONAL MEDICATION DISPENSING APPARATUS AND METHOD - A portable, medication dispensing device which dispenses prepackaged pill strands of medication from a secure, storage compartment through a mechanism which physically limits the quantity dispensed per a pre-programmed protocol. The device has a detachable storage component which can be filled by trained clinical or pharmacy staff, which can be locked. The device has a dispensing mechanism, which employs a user-powered, hub to advance a pill strand of pre-packaged medications, when appropriate. This advancing hub is secured from advancing inappropriately by a locking mechanism where a sturdy piston is moved into and out of recesses in the rounded surface of the hub. The device also contains standard electronic components, including a power source, central processing unit (CPU), visual and auditory outputs, and communications ports. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110172813 | MULTI-SIDED VENDING MACHINE - A vending machine has a housing with a first side and a second side opposite the first side. A first dispensing slot is located at the first side of the housing, and a second dispensing slot is located at the second side of the housing. A central product storage stores product to be dispensed from the vending machine. A product delivery system selectively delivers product from said product storage to the first dispensing slot and said second dispensing slot. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110172814 | MACHINE RETROFITS AND INTERACTIVE SODA FOUNTAINS - Systems, apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture for machine retrofits and interactive soda fountains are provided. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110178634 | TABLET DISPENSER - A tablet dispenser includes a device body and a plurality of tablet cassettes disposed on one face of the device body. Each tablet cassette is capable of accommodating a plurality of types of tablets and of dispensing the tablets contained therein in a lateral direction. A plurality of chutes are in communication with the plurality of tablet cassettes. Each chute is disposed on the one face of the device body, adjacent to a corresponding tablet cassette. Each chute retains tablets dispensed from the corresponding tablet cassette and dispenses the tablets in a downward direction into a container. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110190928 | System method and apparatus for medication scheduling - A dispensing kit for medicine bottlecaps that includes a first bottlecap with a first preprogrammed timer programmed for a first time interval, a second bottlecap with a second preprogrammed timer programmed for a second time interval and a dispensing device for independently dispensing the first and second bottlecaps. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110245965 | Method and Apparatus for Procurement and Resale of New and Used Media - A new business method for acquiring and reselling new and used media or other similar items by creating a collection of network-accessible databases and computer scripts stored on a secure server and by connecting this server to machines that are distributed across a market geographically and function as vending and “reverse vending” points, and by further allowing access to other business entities such as owners and operators of the machines, and other business entities who are customarily involved in the wholesale or resale of the items purchased or sold throughout the machines, or other methods of procurement, and to laypersons who have presented items for sale to these reverse vending machines or other methods of procurement. When all of said entities and machines become connected and fully operational within this business system, new and used media or other suitable items can be randomly purchased from diverse segments of an existing marketplace, made available to wholesalers and resellers and other individual buyers, so as to facilitate and expedite the process of uniting buyers and sellers of items that may be procured and resold through this business system, and to achieve these results in a manner that is asynchronous and convenient for each party or entity participating in this business system. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110245966 | Negative Pressure Type Medication Delivering Device and Medication Dispensing Device and System Using the Same - A medication delivering device includes a delivering unit and a negative pressure unit. The delivering unit includes a cylinder, a retractable part and a tip element. The cylinder has a first opening and a second opening. The retractable part connects the cylinder with the tip element. The tip element has a first end, a second end and a channel. The first end passes through the first opening and is received within the cylinder. The second end is located at an outlet of a pill container. The channel penetrates from the first end to the second end to link with the interior of the cylinder. The negative pressure unit connects to the second opening for providing negative pressure to the interior of the cylinder and the channel of the tip element, so that the tip element sucks up a pill on the outlet of the pill container. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110264262 | TRANSACTIONAL-BASED VENDING MACHINE SOLUTION FOR SCHOOLS - The vending solution will provide healthy food in schools and will help schools to increase their participation in the National School Lunch and School breakfast Program The schools do not need to invest in expensive technology or extend their traditional serving line. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110282488 | Counting machine for discrete items - A method for dispensing a set number of items as a batch comprising the steps of: setting the set number of items in a batch; calibrating by forwarding items along a conveyor for a time interval; counting the number of items to fall off end of feeder in that time interval; calculating throughput per unit time; setting the conveyor to operate for a discrete time period calculated to approach but not exceed that required so that the running total reaches nut does not exceed the set number without otherwise adjusting conveyor settings; counting the number of items dispensed in the discrete time period; adding the number of items to fall off feeder in the discrete time period to running total, and repeating steps until the running total is greater or equal to the batch size wherein each iteration uses the number of particles per unit time in the preceding time period as basis for determining item through rate for calculating subsequent time period for operating the conveyor. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110295415 | REMOTE TRANSACTION SYSTEM UTILIZING COMPACT ANTENNA ASSEMBLY - A remote transaction system for contactless payment and user identification at dispensers, payment terminals, kiosks, or points-of-sale is provided. The remote transaction system comprises a compact assembly, a control system, and communications electronics. The compact assembly is adapted to be attached to a surface, such as a bezel, and comprises at least one antenna. Also, the compact assembly may comprise antennas operating at different frequencies and at least one audio or visual element. Further, antenna arrays may be formed comprising a second antenna arrangement separate from the compact assembly and coupled to the surface. The compact assembly and/or a second antenna arrangement may comprise a tuning element, such as a tuning ring. The communications electronics are adapted to wirelessly communicate with at least one remote communications device and provide wireless communications to the control system for processing. A method for attaching the compact assembly to a surface is also provided. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110295416 | DOSING AND DISPENSING DEVICE - A hand held medicine dosing and dispensing device ( | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110301748 | UNIT FOR CHARGING A BATTERY OF A PORTABLE ELECTRIC DEVICE - The invention relates to a unit for charging a battery of a portable electric device, said unit including: an electric power supply unit; at least one charging area that is provided with at least two different types of coupling interfaces, each of which is suitable for enabling a connection or a coupling between a portable electric device and the supply unit; a selection means for enabling the selection, by a user, of at least one of the coupling interfaces; and a control unit for controlling the electric power supply unit according to the selection made by the user. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110301749 | NETWORKED VENDOR FOR WORKPLACE OR CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT - Aspects of the invention described herein provide an apparatus and method for networked vending. According to embodiments described herein, a vending machine is provided that may be installed and managed by the venue in which it is installed. Consumers may purchase vending products from the vending machine using cashless accounts managed by an external device in communication with the vendor. The venue may manage the inventory for the vending machine by placing orders for single product inserts to be loaded in the vending machine. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20120004769 | AUTOMATED RETAIL SHELF UNITS AND SYSTEMS - Provided are automated retail shelf (ARS) units and corresponding network systems for facilitating retail of various product items in retail environments. An ARS unit includes a chassis sized and configured for attaching to a retail shelf unit and being supported by the shelf unit at an elevated level convenient for customer interactions. The ARS unit may be positioned in a retail aisle among other product items, for example, unsecured product items. The ARS unit provides secure storage to specific product items available for sale from the unit. These product items may have high values and be more susceptible to theft unlike other unsecured product items available from retail shelves. The ARS unit may be used to provide information about product items stored in the unit and, in certain embodiments, unsecured product items available from retail shelves, such as indicating location of these items in the retail environment. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120016518 | CONSUMER-OPERATED KIOSKS FOR BUYING AND/OR SELLING CONSUMER PRODUCTS AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Consumer-operated kiosks for buyer and/or selling consumer products and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In various embodiments, for example, a method for purchasing consumer electronic products includes providing a consumer-operated kiosk that has a card reading device, a user interface, and an inventory of consumer electronic products stored locally within the kiosk. The method can further include displaying the inventory and displaying transaction options to the user. At least one transaction option corresponds to purchasing one of the consumer electronic products in the inventory. The method can continue by receiving a user selection corresponding to purchasing a product from the inventory, and dispensing the first product from an access door. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120022685 | Method for operating an electric charging station - A method for operating an electric charging station within a parking area proposes operating an electric charging station within a parking area, wherein an identification device is used by a user when entering into the parking area, wherein the identification device provides a unique identification, wherein a current supply device of the charging station is activated by the user by using the identification device whereupon the current supply device is available for a charging process. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120022686 | RICH CONTENT MANAGEMENT AND DISPLAY FOR USE IN REMOTE FIELD ASSETS - A field asset such as a vending machine includes a coin acceptor, a bill validator, and a card reader all operatively connected to a shared bus. A rich content display device displays color graphics and an extended function adapter (EFA) coupled to the shared bus includes a rich content agent (RCA) to manage rich content displayed on the display. The RCA may include a content management agent (CMA) coupled to a rich content player that executes rich content file for display on the display device. The EFA may include a cashless agent to generate procedural state information. The CMA detects the procedural state information and controls the presentation of rich content on the display device based at least in part on the detected procedural state information. The EFA may include an analytic agent to determine a substantive state of the vending machine including an inventory state and an environmental state. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120029690 | Bulk vending apparatus, system and method - A vending machine is provided that includes optional modules. A first module includes a plurality of bins, each sized to contain a consumable product, each bin including a pivotable product container. An optional capsule dispensing apparatus is sized to fit on a side of the first module, the optional capsule dispensing apparatus including a plurality of capsules, each containing either a consumable product or a non-consumable product. An optional second module includes a second plurality of bins, each also sized to contain a consumable product, each bin also having a pivotable product container, the optional second module sized to be removeably attachable to the first module. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120029691 | MOBILE DEVICE ASSISTED RETAIL SYSTEM AND PROCESS IN A VENDING UNIT, RETAIL DISPLAY OR AUTOMATED RETAIL STORE - 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. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120046786 | SECONDARY MEDIA RETURN SYSTEM AND METHOD - A method for facilitating a rapid return of a article to an article dispensing machine is provided. The article dispensing machine comprises a first user interface portion having the first user interface, a second user interface portion having a second user interface, and an article transfer portion for vending and returning articles. The method includes receiving from a first user interface a first request to return the article, determining whether the article transfer portion is available to enable the return of the article, and based on the availability determination, displaying through a first user interface screen associated with the first user interface portion information indicating whether to proceed with the return of the article or to wait for a notification to proceed with the return. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120065774 | GRANULAR MATERIAL VENDING APPARATUS AND METHOD - One embodiment of the present invention relates to a semi-automated apparatus for vending granular materials in a container comprising a cabinet with a carousel capable of rotating and housing at least one dispensing container. Each dispensing container is adapted to hold granular material and in one embodiment includes a pressure actuated valve. A pneumatic system is coupled to each of the dispensing containers. A motor is coupled to the carousel. The apparatus further comprises a loading station adapted to hold the container, a control system and a user control panel having at least one user interface for controlling operation of the vending machine. The control system, coupled to the motor, the pneumatic system and the user control panel, engages the motor, causing the carousel to rotate, and the pneumatic system, pressurizing the selected dispensing container causing a predetermined amount of granular material to dispense into the vending container. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120065775 | REFRIGERATED SOLID FRONT VENDING MACHINE AND METHOD OF OPERATION - A vending machine and a method of use having a solid front. The solid front has an inner and outer surface. The solid front defined a plurality of product selection areas, each of the product selection areas associated with a product vendable by said vending machine. A plurality of sense electrodes are placed on the inner surface of the solid front of the vending machine, each of said electrodes associated with one of the product selection areas. The sense electrodes are physically isolated from the outer surface of the solid front by the solid front. A circuit electrically connects to the sense electrodes and determined whether a customer has contacted the outer surface in one of the product selection areas. The circuit communicates information indicating that a product selection area has been touched to a vending machine controller, and the vending machine vends the product. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120078413 | SECURED ELECTRICAL RECHARGING FACILITY METHOD AND APPARATUS - An electrical device recharging facility and method of operating the same is disclosed in which the facility includes a number of storage units having a locking mechanism operated according to a security access system and a number of power outlets and/or power cords arranged within the storage unit for recharging an electrical device. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120083921 | SYSTEM FOR TRANSDUCING AND REDISTRIBUTING ENERGY - A method of collecting and redistributing energy, including receiving energy from an energy vendor at a transaction station, measuring the received energy, identifying and crediting the energy vendor, storing the received energy in an energy storage medium, identifying an energy user, dispensing energy to the energy user at a transaction station, measuring the dispensed energy, and debiting the energy user for the dispensed energy. The transaction station includes a housing, a microprocessor portion in the housing operationally connected to a computer network, an energy metering portion operationally connected to the microprocessor, an energy inlet operationally connected to the energy metering portion, an energy outlet operationally connected to the energy inlet and the energy metering portion, an energy storage operationally connected to the energy inlet and to the energy outlet, and an energy source operationally connected to the energy inlet. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120101631 | Compact Media Disc Vending or Rental Kiosk - A low cost compact kiosk for media disc vending or rental is described. Reduced height and an effective disc drop arrangement allow gravity fed dispensing of media discs simplifying design by eliminating complex robotics requiring trained personnel for maintenance. One such kiosk is approximately 76 cm (30 inches)×58 cm (23 inches)×15 cm (6 inches) and can hold at least 375 standard 1.2 mm thick by 12 cm diameter DVDs. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120109367 | DIGITAL MEDIA TRANSACTION KIOSK AND METHOD - A digital media transaction kiosk and method which provide security for digital media. An example kiosk includes a digital media identifier for reading an identifier of a digital media item on a representative of the digital media item provided by the customer, and a digital media dispenser for dispensing the digital media item to the customer using the identifier. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120116575 | COMBINATION ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGER AND POINT OF SALE DEVICE - An electric vehicle charging station (EVCS) that includes an electric vehicle charger adapted to provide electrical power to a vehicle; a network device adapted to communicate with a wireless network; and a point of sale device coupled to the electric vehicle charger and the network device. The point of sale device is adapted to facilitate consumer purchases of the electrical power and items other than the electrical power. The point of sale device includes: a user interface including a touch screen display, a credit card reader, a bar code reader, and a magnetic card reader, and a printer; a processor; and an application for execution on the processor to implement a method. The method includes: receiving a request from a consumer via the user interface; processing the request; and outputting a status of the request via the user interface. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120116576 | VENDING MACHINE STIR-STICK AND SUGAR DISPENSING ASSEMBLY - An assembly for dispensing stir-sticks and sugar in a beverage vending machine, the assembly having a fixed storage device defined by two stores, each for housing a respective stack of stir-sticks; an extracting device associated with the storage device and having, for each store, a respective extractor associated with the relative store and for extracting individual stir-sticks from the relative store; a sugar dispensing device; and an actuating device common to the two extractors, and which operates either one of the extractors at each operating cycle. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120116577 | AUTOMATED FOOD SERVICE SYSTEM FOR REMOTE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES - A system is described which allows the delivery of butcher shop meat services to a remote location, such as marinas, campsites, parks etc., without significant input required from on site management personnel. Management operations are performed from a remote location. This includes food item selection, preliminary preparation, monitoring of inventories (and re-supply when necessary) and payments. By using this system, managers of remote locations can significantly enhance the ability to meet customers' needs without having to hire or train butcher shop personnel to manage each site. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120116578 | SALES KIOSK - This disclosure is directed to a sales kiosk, a kiosk system and a process for dispensing or ordering one or more target products or samples of the target products. This disclosure is further directed to a kiosk system having a plurality of the sales kiosks connected via wired or wireless connections. The sales kiosks can be particularly useful for dispensing samples of sales products, such as furniture, typically not suitable to dispense at the sales location; or customized products that need to be customized. The sales kiosk can further be useful for ordering sales products. The sale kiosks can provide advantages for seeing and experiencing the sales products even the sale products cannot be directly displayed or dispensed. The kiosk can be modular and can comprise one or more modules. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120150343 | MULTIPLE-SIDED VENDING MACHINE - A vending machine has a housing with a first side and a second side opposite the first side. A first dispensing slot is located at the first side of the housing, and a second dispensing slot is located at the second side of the housing. A central product storage stores product to be dispensed from the vending machine. A product delivery system selectively delivers product from said product storage to the first dispensing slot and said second dispensing slot. | 06-14-2012 |
| 20120165974 | Towel dispenser with auto-load arrangement - A dispenser for dispensing paper toweling. The dispenser including a towel support that is positionable in a first dispensing position when a drive roller rotates in a first direction, and that is positionable in a second auto-loading position when the drive roller rotates in a second direction. Rotation of the drive roller in the first and second directions automatically loading the paper toweling for subsequent dispense. | 06-28-2012 |
| 20120173017 | Hand Protection Barrier Dispenser - A hand protection barrier dispenser for dispensing disposable sanitary barriers for temporarily covering the hand and providing complete hand protection is disclosed which dispenses the hand protection barriers in a manner so that they may easily be donned by a user thereof. The hand protection barrier operates to open each of the hand protection barriers into a position to be readily donned and dispensed. The hand protection barrier dispenser dispenses only a single hand protection barrier at a time. | 07-05-2012 |
| 20120203377 | MEDICATION DISPENSING CART - Embodiments of the invention provide medication dispensing carts and methods. The medication dispensing carts may include a base having wheels that allow the carts to be transported within a facility, a computing device configured to receive input from a user, a display device communicatively coupled with the computing device for displaying information to the user, a post that couples the display device with the base, and a plurality of cassettes that have one or more bins within which medical supplies are stored. The plurality of cassettes may be coupled with the post and the post may include a plurality of communication ports that communicatively couple one or more of the cassettes with the computing device to perform or provide various functions. | 08-09-2012 |
| 20120215345 | HAND-HELD DENTAL TOOL DISPENSING DEVICE WITH REMOVABLE DISPLAY - A dispensing device for dispensing and storing disposable hand-held dental tools is disclosed. The hand-held dental tool dispensing device comprises a product display area for displaying dental tools or pictures of dental tools, product selection switches for selecting a dental tool for purchase, a payment exchange area for receiving payment, and a product retrieval area for retrieving purchased dental tools. The hand-held dental tool dispensing device further comprises a removable display for displaying information such as product information, instructional information, or advertising. The hand-held dental tool dispensing device further comprises an ultraviolet light module for performing sterilization procedures on the hand-held dental tools. | 08-23-2012 |
| 20120221143 | AUTOMATIC VENDING MACHINE - An automatic vending machine ( | 08-30-2012 |
| 20120239186 | MEDICINE FEEDING APPARATUS - Disclosed is a medicine feeding apparatus. The medicine feeding apparatus includes a medicine cartridge, a cartridge mount, a medicine discharge mechanism, and a discharge drive mechanism. The medicine cartridge has an entrance opening formed in the top thereof, through which a medicine product is put into the medicine cartridge, and a discharge hole formed in a front position of the bottom thereof, through which the medicine product is discharged from the medicine cartridge by operation of the medicine discharge mechanism. The entrance opening is provided with a cover. The medicine cartridge is mounted on an upper surface of the cartridge mount, and the cartridge mount has an outer discharge hole communicating with the discharge hole to discharge the medicine product from the cartridge mount. The discharge drive mechanism is provided at the medicine cartridge and the cartridge mount and serves to drive the medicine discharge mechanism. | 09-20-2012 |
| 20120239187 | AUTOMATIC DISPENSING MACHINE AND METHOD OF OPERATION - A dispensing machine, and related operating method, includes a device for dispensing packaged and/or unpackaged edible goods or beverages, a control unit connected to one or more electrically-activated parts of the machine, a user interface to show information to the user and retrieve input commands from the user to be sent to the control unit. The user interface is a graphic user interface GUI comprising a touch-panel integrated in a graphic screen to display multimedia content. The content or form of the information shown on the screen is changed by the control unit based on at least one parameter related to any of the operative status of the machine, the location wherein the machine is running, the calendar date and/or the daily time, statistics indicative of previous selections made by user(s), or the signal provided by at least one sensor of the machine detecting proximity of the user(s). | 09-20-2012 |
| 20120253508 | POINT OF DISPLAY INVENTORY CONTROL APPARATUS AND SYSTEM - An apparatus for displaying merchandise on a support structure includes a base configured to couple to the support structure, a control member supported by the base, and a locking mechanism supported by the base. The base includes a guide member configured to support a plurality of items for display. The control member includes a control wheel that is rotatable relative to the guide member to selectively allow removal of an item from the guide member. The locking mechanism is movable between a first state, in which the locking mechanism engages the control wheel to inhibit rotation of the control wheel relative to the guide member, and a second state, in which the locking mechanism disengages the control wheel to allow rotation of the control wheel relative to the guide member. | 10-04-2012 |
| 20120259455 | Hand Protection Barrier Dispenser - A hand protection barrier dispenser for dispensing disposable sanitary barriers for temporarily covering the hand and providing complete hand protection is disclosed which dispenses the hand protection barriers in a manner so that they may easily be donned by a user thereof. The hand protection barrier operates to open each of the hand protection barriers into a position to be readily donned and dispensed. The hand protection barrier dispenser dispenses only a single hand protection barrier at a time. | 10-11-2012 |
| 20120271453 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND DEVICES FOR DISPENSING PRODUCTS FROM A KIOSK - The present invention relates to a kiosk that dispenses products with no moving parts. The kiosk can dispense a rental product, and the rental product can be returned via a mail service, or it can be retained for a purchase price. The kiosk comprises a removable cartridge containing the products, and the cartridge can be readily replaced with a new cartridge to replenish the inventory of products in the kiosk. | 10-25-2012 |
| 20120277904 | VENDING MACHINE WITH ELEVATOR DELIVERY OF VENDED PRODUCT TO CUSTOMER ACCESS - An automated vending or merchandizing machine includes an elevator sub-assembly which moves a dispensing bin or elevator tray vertically along the fronts of plural vertical levels of product dispensers in the vending machine. A controller tracks the vertical position of the elevator tray. This allows the controller to send the elevator tray to the vertical level of the dispenser of the product selected by a customer, at that level receive and confirm dispensing of the selected product into the elevator tray, and return the elevator tray holding the dispensed product down to a customer delivery or access door or opening in the vending machine that can below the vertical levels of dispensers. Features can include coordination of locking and unlocking of a customer access door and actuating an anti-cheat security baffle with the position of the elevator tray. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120316672 | Digital Signage Retrofit for Vending Machine - A vending machine retrofitted with digital signage has a door with a window in the door, where the door closes to form an interior compartment and where the vending machine has a top surface. A display panel is affixed to the window by double stick tape from the interior compartment so that images displayed on the display panel are visible through the window. A media player is coupled to the display panel to play video content on the display panel. A cellular wide area network (WAN) radio coupled to the media player to receive video content via the cellular WAN. A cellular antenna is coupled to the cellular WAN radio and affixed to the top surface of the vending machine. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract. | 12-13-2012 |
| 20120323359 | METHODS FOR ENHANCING VENDING MACHINE UTILIZATION AND DEVICES THEREOF - A method for vending one or more media products to a third party, comprising receiving a vending request for one or more products; reserving the movie at that kiosk for later pickup; generating a unique identifier for that reservation, upon a determination that the transaction data is approved; transmitting, to the customer and/or to a third party, the unique identifier for confirmation of the one or more reserved products; receiving a pickup request at the selected location for the reserved product including the unique identifier and possibly third party identification data; verifying the unique identifier; and vending the reserved product. | 12-20-2012 |
| 20120323360 | WEB ENABLED AUDIOVISUAL MEDICATION DISPENSING - The disclosure relates generally to methods and devices for taking care of elderly, disabled, or other dependents. The devices and methods may be useful for dependents that are not willing or able to live in an environment which has a caretaker physically present. Example devices and methods can facilitate communication between a caretaker and a dependent. Devices and methods can optionally facilitate disbursing medications remotely. | 12-20-2012 |
| 20120330461 | ADA COMPLIANCE IN VENDING MACHINES - An ADA compliant vending machine ensures provides a user control for entering an ADA mode, and displays all user-actuated vend transaction controls below a first specified height when operating in the ADA mode. A delivery bucket surface on which vended products are supported moves between a lowered position below a second specified height and a raised position above the second specified height in coordinate operation with opening of the delivery bin door. Products are dropped below the second specified height during delivery but are raised above that height for customer retrieval. Mechanical force required to open the delivery bin door is less than five pounds, even with closing of anti-pilfer flaps also being coordinated with opening of the delivery bin door. | 12-27-2012 |
| 20130006414 | MONEY HANDLING APPARATUS - A money handling apparatus of an embodiment of the present invention includes a storing unit storing money; a dispensing unit dispensing money; a memory unit storing data of a number of stored money and a reference value; and a control unit controlling the denomination and the number of money to be dispensed. The memory unit is configured to store plural sets of reference numbers which are number of money by denomination as the reference value, or a reference ratio which is a ratio of the number of money by denomination as the reference value. When a certain sum of money is dispensed, the control unit is configured to determine the denomination and the number of money to be dispensed, giving a priority to the denomination whose number of stored money by denomination or money storage ratio is larger than one of the reference numbers or the reference ratio. | 01-03-2013 |
| 20130013104 | Internet-accessible pet treat dispensing apparatus - An Internet-accessible apparatus for dispensing a pet treat using a remote Internet-accessible electronic device includes: (a) a treat dispensing unit including a treat rack, a delivery plate, a base plate, and an actuator or other mechanism for sliding the delivery plate over the base plate; (b) a control circuit electronics portion in communication with the sliding mechanism and with a local computer or router with a built-in Domain Name System client, which is in communication with at least one remote Internet-accessible electronic device; and (c) at least one video camera portion in communication with the local computer or router; wherein the treat dispensing unit includes a dispensing position in which cutouts in the plates are substantially aligned, and a parked position in which the plate cutouts are not aligned. This simplified abstract is not intended to limit, and should not be interpreted as limiting, the scope of the claims. | 01-10-2013 |
| 20130013105 | DEVICE FOR HANDLING BANKNOTES COMPRISING A HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE USER INTERFACE - The invention relates to a device ( | 01-10-2013 |
| 20130035786 | Vending devices having ad-watching as consideration - Systems and methods for vending devices having ad-watching as consideration are described. In some implementations, a vending apparatus includes a dispensing portion operable to dispense a product (e.g. electricity) to a user; a communication portion operable to provide a communicable content (e.g. an advertisement) to the user; and a control system operatively coupled to the dispensing portion and the communication portion. The control system receives a signal indicative of a consent by the user to receive or review the communicable content at least partially in exchange for the product, and after receipt of the signal, causes the communication portion to provide the communicable content to the user and causes the dispensing portion to dispense the product to the user. In further implementations, the apparatus may include a monitoring system operable to determine whether the user is receiving or reviewing the communicable content. | 02-07-2013 |
| 20130035787 | QUICK RESPONSE (QR) CODE GENERATION IN VENDING MACHINES OR KIOSKS FOR CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT - Deeper customer engagement through a vending machine is provided by display of a quick response (QR) code on a customer interface display for the vending machine during a vend transaction. The customer can scan the displayed QR code with a smart phone camera to link to a website containing an advertisement, providing detailed nutritional information for a product available for vending from the vending machine, allowing collection of loyalty points or enabling reporting of a service issue or entry of a customer review. | 02-07-2013 |
| 20130054009 | Ingestion intelligence acquisition system and method for ingestible material preparation system and method - Prior to dispensing of the one or more selected ingestible products for ingestion by the particular individual living being of the selected ingestible products, the at least partial preparation of the one or more selected ingestible products occurring within a first vicinity of the electronically outputting of the electronically generated one or more selection menus; and electronically directing control at least in part of acquisition of ingestion intelligence including information related to ingestion by the particular individual living being of at least one of the one or more selected ingestible products, the ingestion by the particular individual living being within a second vicinity of the electronically outputting of the electronically generated one or more selection menus. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure. | 02-28-2013 |
| 20130054010 | Social network reporting system and method for ingestible material preparation system and method - A computationally implemented system and method that is designed to, but is not limited to: electronically directing control at least in part of transmission to one or more computer based social network services associated with the computer based social network service identification of the information collection regarding the at least partial preparation of the one or more ingestible products and ingestion intelligence including information related to ingestion by the particular individual living being of at least one of the one or more ingestible products, the ingestion by the particular individual living being within a second vicinity of the electronically outputting of the electronically outputted one or more selection menus. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure. | 02-28-2013 |
| 20130054011 | Social Network Selection System and Method for Ingestible Material Preparation System and Method - A computationally implemented system and method that is designed to, but is not limited to: electronically directing control of at least partial dispensing of the one or more selected ingestible products subsequent to and based at least in part upon the selection of the at least one candidate ingestible product as the at least one selected ingestible product via the electronically enabled input in response to the electronically outputted one or more selection menus and prior to dispensing of the one or more selected ingestible products for ingestion by the particular individual living being of the selected ingestible products, the at least partial dispensing of the one or more selected ingestible products occurring within a vicinity of the electronically outputting of the electronically outputted one or more selection menus. In addition, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure. | 02-28-2013 |
| 20130054012 | Social Network Selection System and Method for Ingestible Material Preparation System and Method - A computationally implemented system and method that is designed to, but is not limited to: electronically directing control of at least partial dispensing of the one or more selected ingestible products subsequent to and based at least in part upon the selection of the at least one candidate ingestible product as the at least one selected ingestible product via the electronically enabled input in response to the electronically outputted one or more selection menus and prior to dispensing of the one or more selected ingestible products for ingestion by the particular individual living being of the selected ingestible products, the at least partial dispensing of the one or more selected ingestible products occurring within a vicinity of the electronically outputting of the electronically outputted one or more selection menus. In addition, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure. | 02-28-2013 |
| 20130066463 | PACKAGING SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Systems and methods are provided for delivering single-dose packages sequentially from a substantially continuous strip having a first dispensing end and a second end, e.g., contained within a cassette or other dispenser. The strip includes a cover layer attached to a base layer to define a plurality of blisters therebetween that have one or more medications therein. The blisters are aligned in single file generally along the longitudinal axis between the first and second ends and/or otherwise arranged in single-dose packages adjacent one another, e.g., at least some of the single-dose packages including a plurality of blisters having different types of medications therein. A first single-dose package at the first dispensing end may be separable from a second adjacent single-dose package such that individual single-dose packages may be removed successively from the first dispensing end. | 03-14-2013 |
| 20130079923 | SHEET PRODUCT DISPENSER WITH AUXILIARY FEED BUTTON - A sheet product dispenser includes a housing having a front cover, a main controller, a motor, a dispensing mechanism, a maintenance switch, and an auxiliary feed push button. The motor, main controller and dispensing mechanism are configured to dispense a length of sheet product in response to a signal representative of a request for sheet product. The maintenance switch is internally disposed within the housing and accessible for actuation when the front cover is open, in operable communication with the main controller to facilitate operation of the motor when actuated. The auxiliary feed push button is disposed in operable communication with the maintenance switch, and is disposed to be accessible and actuatable when the cover is closed. The main controller is responsive to executable instructions to facilitate actuation of the motor in response to a signal from the maintenance switch when actuated by the auxiliary feed push button. | 03-28-2013 |
| 20130103187 | "SHOPPING CART" PARADIGM FOR SINGLE- OR MULTI-VEND VENDING MACHINE TRANSACTION PROCESS FLOW - A vending machine is configured to provide a shopping cart vend transaction order-of-processing, allowing the customer to aggregate product selections before payment. The vending machine includes an enclosure configured to store a plurality of products, a user interface configured to receive inputs from a consumer; and a control system coupled to the user interface. The control system is configured to provide a virtual shopping cart that enables the customer to aggregate one or more product selections in a single vend transaction. | 04-25-2013 |
| 20130103188 | TABLET DISPENSER - A tablet dispenser includes a device body and a plurality of tablet cassettes disposed on one face of the device body. Each tablet cassette is capable of accommodating a plurality of types of tablets and of dispensing the tablets contained therein in a lateral direction. A plurality of chutes are in communication with the plurality of tablet cassettes. Each chute is disposed on the one face of the device body, adjacent to a corresponding tablet cassette. Each chute retains tablets dispensed from the corresponding tablet cassette and dispenses the tablets in a downward direction into a container. | 04-25-2013 |
| 20130131861 | Media and Fuel Dispensing Apparatus and Method - A media and fuel dispensing apparatus and method whereby a customer can purchase fuel and also purchase or rent a copy of a digital versatile disc (“DVD”), compact disc (“CD”), or other similar media product. In various embodiments, the media and fuel dispensing apparatus comprises a touch screen device in which the customer can select a DVD or other media product for dispensing as well as purchase fuel. | 05-23-2013 |
| 20130158702 | MEDIA DISPENSING - A method and apparatus are disclosed for dispensing at least one item of media from one of a plurality of possible media dispensing ports. The apparatus includes a user interface comprising a user display, an intermediate display adjacent to the user display and a port location display adjacent to the intermediate display and adjacent to a plurality of possible media dispensing ports. Each display is arranged to selectively display a visual cue to direct a user to a selected one of the possible media dispensing ports. | 06-20-2013 |
| 20130158703 | VENDING MACHINE, AND OPERATING SYSTEM AND OPERATING METHOD THEREOF - A vending machine, and an operating system and an operating method thereof are provided. The vending machine includes a cabinet and a transparent touch display. The cabinet accommodates a plurality of physical commodities for vending. The transparent touch display is configured in the cabinet and located in front of the physical commodities. The transparent touch display has a transparent area for revealing the physical commodities. A user selects the physical commodities by touching a position corresponding to each of the physical commodities at the transparent area. The transparent touch display is adapted for displaying corresponding commodity information according to touch information applied by the user on the transparent touch display. | 06-20-2013 |
| 20130173052 | PRODUCT DISPENSING SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED METHOD - A dispensing system, apparatus and associated method for dispensing individually packaged products includes maintaining positive physical control of the individual packages throughout the apparatus and may include different storage and dispensers for products having different frequencies of use as well as buffering of products. The system, apparatus and method described herein may be particularly useful for dispensing pharmaceutical products such as solid medications and nutritional supplements to be taken orally in health care settings, including but not limited to long term care (LTC) and assisted living settings. | 07-04-2013 |
| 20130184856 | DIGITAL MEDIA RENTAL AND RETURN KIOSK HAVING A THREE-POSITION LOCKABLE GATE MECHANISM AND METHODS OF OPERATING A DIGITAL MEDIA RENTAL AND RETURN KIOSK - A digital media rental and return kiosk includes a store arranged to store physical digital media items. The kiosk further includes a user interface (i) having a dispense and return slot, and (ii) arranged to enable a customer to interact with the kiosk to either rent a digital media item or return a digital media item through the slot. The kiosk also includes a delivery system arranged to (i) transport a digital media item to be rented from the store to the slot, and (ii) transport a digital media item to be returned from the slot to the store. The kiosk further includes a gate mechanism including a gate which is (i) movable from a closed position to a first opened position to allow a digital media item to be rented to be dispensed through the slot to a customer, and (ii) movable from the closed position to a second opened position which is different from the first opened position to allow a digital media item to be returned to be inserted through the slot by the customer. | 07-18-2013 |
| 20130184857 | HOME BAKING KIT WITH COMPUTER INTERFACE - A new range of ready to use home baking products, measured and proportioned, is provided for selection of the required ingredients for the type of cake required and bake. The general idea is that home bakers, without any special baking experience, knowledge or commercial baking background can bake professional tasting cake. The range contains unique concepts which are embodied in the kiosk and associated displays, which include pour and bake batter, dry cake mixes, Danish pastry dough, filling, toppings, icing, fondant and all the other typical ingredients necessary needed and involved in home cake baking, similar to the range of fresh baked commercial available goods. One stop shopping is provided in a kiosk, where not only are all the ingredients available but where the home baker can interface with a baking company's logo and computer display and vending of products for all the various information one may need. | 07-18-2013 |
| 20130211583 | AUTOMATIC PRODUCT DISPENSING MACHINE - An automatic product dispensing machine comprises: a frame ( | 08-15-2013 |
| 20130261792 | PICKUP LOCATION MONITORING - A pickup location that includes a control station and one or more storage compartment modules provides the ability for items to be ordered and delivered for pickup by a user without having to pack those items in a shipping package prior to shipping from a materials handling facility. Delivering items for pickup by a user without having to package the items prior to shipping, may provide a better experience for the customer, reduce waste in packaging material and a lower cost of delivering the ordered items to the customer. | 10-03-2013 |
| 20130289764 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING LIGHT LEAKAGE FROM LIGHT GUIDE PLATE AND DISPLAY DEVICE HAVING LIGHT GUIDE PLATE PAINTED WITH REFLECTIVE MATERIAL - An apparatus for preventing a light leakage from a light guide plate may include a sensing unit to sense at least one side surface of a light guide plate, a dispenser to discharge a reflective material to the at least one side surface of the light guide plate, the reflective material used to prevent light generated from a back light unit from leaking from the side surface of the light guide plate, and a control unit to control the dispenser. | 10-31-2013 |
| 20130297066 | Product Provisioning System - Product provisioning methods and systems are described. A product provisioning system is arranged, in use, to deliver to a user substantially simultaneously a plurality of heterogeneous discrete products. The product provisioning system comprises a plurality of independently-controllable product dispensing mechanisms each configured to dispense different predetermined types of said discrete products from one another. The product provisioning system also comprises a product collector arranged to collect together products dispensed by the plurality of product dispensing mechanisms. Furthermore, the product provisioning system also comprises a control system. The control system is in communication with the product dispensing mechanisms, and is arranged to receive a user-specified product order for multiple heterogeneous products and, in response, control a set of the plurality of product dispensing mechanisms in parallel to dispense specified products of that product order. | 11-07-2013 |
| 20130317644 | Vending Kiosk - An open merchandise, multi-cubicle display, vending kiosk, custom-fabricated from a plurality of visually open materials and sized to suit the products being sold. The kiosk provides a self-service customer purchase via a barcode scan or touch selector, payment facilitator, and integrated computer assembly with programming to control the kiosk. Also incorporated are audio components which attract customers to the kiosk and a webcam video device which observes the kiosk environment, serves the kiosk's security and can provide customer inquiries to a remote manager via a VoIP communication feature. When necessary, wireless Internet components connect the kiosk functions to process financial transaction services, or to a remote manager for the kiosk's inventory, records management, and programming functions. In addition to its vending attributes, the kiosk has a full closure curtain with a tubular motor which secures the kiosk after business hours. | 11-28-2013 |
| 20130331980 | Optimization System - Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for optimizing the delivery of products through an automated product dispensation system. The disclosed systems implement different dispensation parameters based on the size, shape, and other criteria for the different products that are dispensed through the device. The disclosed methods first identify the product being dispensed, and then determine the parameters at which the product should be dispensed for maximum efficiency. | 12-12-2013 |
| 20130338820 | Automated Electric Vehicle Charging Station - An Automated Electric Vehicle Charging Station is disclosed. The Charging Station should can automatically connect to an electrically-powered vehicle and commence the recharging process. The charging process involves the charging station discovering and locating the vehicle's charging port. Once discovered and located, the charging station can reach out and make the electrical interconnection with the vehicle while the vehicle is located at an adjacent parking space. The charging station is retrofittable into an existing parking lot, in addition to its being a part of the original lot construction. A companion software application on a computing device such as a mobile phone may be used to activate and monitor the charging process, amd locating charging stations and providing customer billing status. Docking between the charging station robotic arm and the vehicle can be facilitated by a variety of locating/handshaking methods, including wireless signalling, video camera and infrared triangulation, for example. | 12-19-2013 |
| 20140025199 | OBJECT DISPENSER HAVING A VARIABLE ORIFICE AND IMAGE IDENTIFICATION - A method and apparatus for dispensing objects from automated storage and retrieval systems such as medications is disclosed which may also include a singulator to assure singulation (retrieval of singular objects). The singulator may be an imaging system to confirm and/or identify the objects being dispensed and/or a variable orifice dynamically adjustable to a specific object or pill size, and through which only a single object or pill is allowed to pass. The system may further include a flexible probe so as to reduce the size of the system where the movement of the probe relative to or while retrieving objects is accomplished by advancing/retracting a flexible tube. The method and apparatus may further include an imaging system. | 01-23-2014 |
| 20140031974 | Apparatus, Method, Software & Graphical Interface for Flexible Dispensing of Coins in a Coin Handling Apparatus - A coin dispensing apparatus has a cabinet serving as an apparatus housing for the apparatus. The apparatus has a control means for controlling the apparatus. The apparatus further has a module for receiving, optionally validating and optionally sorting coins of different types and at least one dispenser for coins to be dispensed. The apparatus also comprises a filling compartment comprising a plurality of dispense locations. Each dispense location is adapted for receiving a portable coin receptacle for collecting dispensed coins from a specific dispenser. The apparatus is adapted to dispense a specific amount of coins under control of said control means to at least one portable coin receptacle at a specific dispense location in said filling compartment. The control means is adapted to only start the dispense operation at said specific dispense location if a portable coin receptacle is present at the location. | 01-30-2014 |
| 20140058559 | Systems, Devices, and/or Methods for Dispensing - Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, machine, device, manufacture, circuit, composition of matter, and/or user interface adapted for and/or resulting from, and/or a method and/or machine-readable medium comprising machine-implementable instructions for, activities that can comprise and/or relate to, automatically, remotely, and/or non-manually delivering treats to an animal via a dispenser. | 02-27-2014 |
| 20140074282 | MULTIPLEXING SYSTEM FOR A FUEL TRANSACTION ENVIRONMENT - The present invention relates to a system in fuel dispensing control such as gasoline pumps wherein a four wire data system is operated utilizing two wires and a multiplexing system. | 03-13-2014 |
| 20140081449 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REDEMPTION OF CREDITS IN A VARIABLE VALUE TRANSACTION - A system and method of processing a variable value transaction with credits and a payment card are provided. The variable value transaction may involve a piece of media content and include an initial balance and a remaining balance. The initial balance and the remaining balance may be dependent on the piece of media content and when the variable value transaction is completed. Credits may be redeemed for some or all of the initial balance and/or the remaining balance, depending on the availability and applicability of the credits. The payment card may also be processed for some or all of the initial balance and/or the remaining balance. The remaining balance may not be known until the variable value transaction is completed. | 03-20-2014 |
| 20140081450 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMMUNICATING VENDING INFORMATION - A system and method for communicating vending information is provided. The system includes a plurality of vending apparatuses, each containing a vending inventory comprised of vendible products, and a control center in communication with the plurality of vending apparatuses configured to receive user information. The user information can include a vending request for a vendible product and a location identifier. The system is further configured to select a vending apparatus from the plurality of vending apparatuses based on the location identifier, determine whether the requested vendible product is in the vending inventory of the selected vending apparatus, and transmit an electronic message to a user-specified electronic mail address upon determining that the requested vendible product is in the vending inventory of the selected vending machine. | 03-20-2014 |
| 20140100691 | Vending Accommodation and Accessibility - Vending accommodation and accessibility is described in connection with completing transactions by a machine. In certain aspects, the method includes entering an accommodation mode based on a user selection, displaying an accommodation menu comprising at least one selection button and a list of items available for vending, and announcing a selected item of the list of items available for vending. In other aspects, the method includes determining whether an item has been selected for vending based on touching at least one selection button according to instructions to a relative position of the selection button on a display screen. When determining that an item has been selected for vending, the method further includes prompting for payment to complete a transaction for the item. | 04-10-2014 |
| 20140114469 | Systems and Methods for Automatic Mixed Drink Dispensing - A drink dispensing device has refillable sealed containers having ingredients known to a processor. Where the processor can initiate commands to mix and dispense the ingredients based on a selections by a consumer. The drink dispensing device may also retrieve suggested drinks from a remote server for display to a consumer. The suggested drinks may be based on historical data stored in the drink dispensing device. | 04-24-2014 |
| 20140172157 | Portable Pay At The Pump - Present systems utilize a number of various and distinct energy dispensing stations, message controllers, and point-of-sale devices. In traditional systems, the consumer initiates a purchase through direct interaction with the point-of-sale. The proposed system herein functions as software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution for (electronic payment, discounts and loyalty programs. In the proposed system the Consumer initiates the purchase through their mobile device. | 06-19-2014 |
| 20140172158 | MEDICATION DISPENSING CART - Embodiments of the invention provide medication dispensing carts and methods. The medication dispensing carts may include a base having wheels that allow the carts to be transported within a facility, a computing device configured to receive input from a user, a display device communicatively coupled with the computing device for displaying information to the user, a post that couples the display device with the base, and a plurality of cassettes that have one or more bins within which medical supplies are stored. The plurality of cassettes may be coupled with the post and the post may include a plurality of communication ports that communicatively couple one or more of the cassettes with the computing device to perform or provide various functions. | 06-19-2014 |
| 20140172159 | VENDING MACHINE - A vending machine having a goods store, a goods dispensing apparatus and a user interface contains a goods input region for inserting goods to be returned and an identification apparatus for the goods which interacts with a data processing device and a data memory. The present invention also relates to a vending machine ( | 06-19-2014 |
| 20140180472 | PRODUCT SELECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VENDING MACHINE - A product selection system for a vending machine is provided which is immune to human misbehavior or uncertainty. The system includes a main controller and a plurality of product selection panels connected to the main controller. Each product selection panel includes a plurality of keys, each of which is associated with a type of product stored in the vending machine. When a product selection panel detects a first key-down event, the main controller broadcasts a suspending command to the product selection panels so each product selection panel suspends the detection of any further key-down event in response to receiving the suspending command, until after a product-dispensing routine has been completed or the expiry of a predetermined period of time. A product selection method for a vending machine is also provided. | 06-26-2014 |
| 20140180473 | METHOD FOR OPERATING AT LEAST ONE VENDING MACHINE - A method for operating at least one vending machine. A food product to be prepared by the vending machine and dispensed to a consumer is remotely ordered by the consumer over at least one wireless and/or wired communications link, the order being transmitted to the vending machine over the same or another wireless and/or wired communications link. | 06-26-2014 |
| 20140188271 | TOUCH SCREEN FOR A BEVERAGE DISPENSING SYSTEM - A beverage dispensing system includes a control system electrically connected with a beverage dispenser, a proximity sensor, and a touch-sensitive display. The control system causes the touch-sensitive display to display an advertising state when the proximity sensor indicates a user is not present at the beverage dispensing system and a beverage selection state when the proximity sensor indicates a user is present. The control system further causes the touch-sensitive display to display a pour state after a beverage choice selection is made through the touch sensitive display during the display of the beverage selection state. The control system still further causes the beverage dispenser to deliver the beverage choice after a pour request is made through the touch sensitive display during the display of the pour state. | 07-03-2014 |
| 20140195041 | METHOD OF SENSING A DELIVERED PRODUCT IN A SNACK VENDING MACHINE - A dispensed product detection system and method for use in a vending machine where the products are hold on shelves and utilizing an optical light beam crossing the path through which a dispensed product travels. | 07-10-2014 |
| 20140277702 | Pill Dispensing System and Apparatus - An automatic pill dispensing system and apparatus are disclosed that include a plurality of pill storage cartridges, a control system configured to dispense pills at predetermined times and intervals. The dispensed medications, dosage times, patient compliance information, other prescription information are programmed or available to a caregiver, physician, other medical personnel or pharmacist either directly or remotely by a caregiver through an interface that is not accessible to the patient. The apparatus signals the patient at appropriate times and pills are dispensed when the patient depresses a single dispense button to discharge the prescribed medications into a tray. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140277703 | AUTOMATED BEVERAGE GENERATING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME - A method of operating an automated beverage generating system. The method comprises receiving one or more electrical signals representative of an order for a specified beverage. The method further comprises translating the order into one or more steps required to generate the specified beverage. The method still further comprises and entering each required step into a dynamic sequence corresponding to a module of the system configured to perform that particular step, the dynamic sequence representing an order in which one or more steps in the dynamic sequence will be performed by the module for one or more beverages to be generated by the system. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140309769 | AUTOMATIC PILL DISPENSER WITH WATER HEATER - An automatic pill dispenser which also provides heated drinking water as required includes a housing for securing pill boxes, a display, a heater, and a controller. The display and the controller are secured to the housing. The heater is secured to the housing and supports a cup placed thereon. The controller is electrically connected to the heater. The controller controls the display to display an invitation to request heated water when the automatic pill dispenser is dispensing pills. The controller controls the heater to heat water in the cup when heated water is requested. | 10-16-2014 |
| 20140309770 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING NETWORK ACCESS - Some embodiments are associated with receiving, by a vending machine, a request from a customer to initiate a communication session, establishing a first communication link between the vending machine and a device associated with the customer, and establishing a second communication link between the vending machine and a remote network device, such that a communication session is established between the device associated with the customer and the remote network device. Some embodiments are associated with receiving, by a vending machine, an indication of a selection of a product sold by the vending machine, receiving, from a customer, payment for the selected product, dispensing the product to the customer, the product comprising an indication of a communication session activation code, receiving, by the vending machine, an indication of the communication session activation code, and establishing a communication session between a device associated with the customer and a remote network device. | 10-16-2014 |
| 20140316560 | VENDING MACHINE CONTROLLER WITH INNOVATIVE DISPLAY FEATURES - A vending having a vending machine controller for calculating credit acceptance, calculating credit return, signaling product dispensing, displaying information on a display, monitoring environmental conditions, and controlling lighting. Coin and bill acceptors are also included that receive and validate coins and bills and, optionally, pay coins and bills back as change. A product dispenser vends product in response to a signal from the vending machine controller. A cashless payment device reads a customer's cashless payment device and transmits the cashless payment information to the vending machine controller. Finally, the vending machine controller includes a network interface controller for communicating information about the customer's cashless payment device across a network and for receiving information about whether the cashless payment device is valid for making a purchase from the vending machine. A touch screen display communicates messages from the vending machine controller to a customer and interprets customer contact with the display. | 10-23-2014 |
| 20140324216 | METHOD, SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING MEDICATION DELIVERY - Method, system, and apparatus are disclosed for managing medication delivery. The method includes registering a plurality of patients with a system, associating a registered patient with personal biometric data, recording a plurality of patient tasks for subsequent recognition of task-events, associating the registered patient with an identifiable medical device, performing contraindicated analysis on any medications prescribed to the registered patient, transferring prescribed medication information to the system, the information associated with a medication schedule, and dispensing medication from the medical device to the registered patient upon graphical recognition of performed gestures. | 10-30-2014 |
| 20140364999 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REFUELLING - A dispensing system and a method for dispensing a fluid such as hydrogen to a hydrogen powered vehicle. The dispensing system contains a source of fluid, a valve block, a programmable logic controller and a dispenser. The dispensing system can be expandable by including a second valve block which during normal operation remains closed. When the operator desires to add a second dispenser, the second valve block is opened and connects the fluid source with the second dispenser. The dispensing system can be set up and operated as set up and operated both indoors and outdoors. | 12-11-2014 |
| 20150066204 | Medical Pill Dispensing System - Systems and methods are disclosed for a medical pill dispensing system. A system includes a supply module configured to supply one or more pills, where the supply module includes a plurality of containers. Each of the plurality of containers is configured to dispense one or more pills of a respective type. The system also includes a receiving module configured to receive one or more pills from the supply module. The system also includes a pre-fill tray configured to receive one or more pills from the receiving module. The system also includes a transfer plate configured to receive an arrangement of pills from the pre-fill tray. The system also includes a control module operable to control operation of one or more of the supply module, the first receiving unit, and the second receiving unit. | 03-05-2015 |
| 20150073590 | VENDING MACHINE COMPRISING AN INTEGRATED TRANSLUCENT LCD - The invention relates to a vending machine comprising an integrated translucent or transparent LCD element, of the type that are used to sell products, said machine comprising a chassis ( | 03-12-2015 |
| 20150081091 | MEDICATION DISPENSERS - An embodiment of a medication dispenser comprises a drug pump having a control module. A medication dose request device can be in communication with the drug pump. A dispensing device, for dispensing substantially solid medication in response to activation of the medication dose request device, can be in communication with the drug pump. | 03-19-2015 |
| 20150100152 | Vending System - An embodiment includes a system comprising a first vending machine (VM), the first VM comprising: an exterior chassis having a top, bottom, backside, front side, and first and second sides that couple the front side to the backside; a wireless short range communications node included in the chassis; and an actuator coupled to a compartment included in the chassis; wherein (a) the actuator provides a vended good to an aperture in the front side upon actuation, and (b) each of the front side and first and second sides includes no physically manipulatable consumer interface with which the consumer can control the first VM via direct physical manipulation of the first VM. Other embodiments are described herein. | 04-09-2015 |
| 20150100153 | GAS VENDING SYSTEM FOR HEALTH APPLICATION - A gas vending system for health application, comprising: a healthy gas generator module, a control module, and a charging/payment module. The healthy gas generator module is used to generate a healthy gas. The control module is connected to the healthy gas generator module for monitoring the usage state of the healthy gas and generating a volume consumption signal for the healthy gas. The charging/payment module is connected to the control module for receiving the volume consumption signal for the healthy gas and then generating a toll after computing. The charging/payment module is adapted to accept cash or charging a debit card or credit card according to the toll. | 04-09-2015 |
| 20150105901 | WIRELESS COMMUNICATION FOR CONSUMER-OPERATED KIOSKS - Systems, apparatus, and methods for kiosk accessibility via a mobile device. In some embodiments, a wireless mobile device has input features such as voice-control and GUI-based buttons that assist visually impaired people to send wireless messages for accessing features of a kiosk. The kiosk is equipped with wireless communication hardware and or software to receive messages from the mobile device for performing various kiosk-related operations, such a renting, vending, and or returning a product. | 04-16-2015 |
| 20150120040 | Transaction Machine with Multiple Transaction Access Points - Aspects of the present disclosure are directed towards a transaction machine. The transaction machine may include a first transaction access point configured to provide a first set of transaction options and a second transaction access point configured to provide a second set of transaction options. An item cartridge may be shared between the first transaction access point and the second transaction access point. During a transaction, a routing mechanism may route an item from the item cartridge to an item dispenser of the first transaction access point or to an item dispenser of the second transaction access point. | 04-30-2015 |
| 20150317453 | Systems, Methods and Computer Program Products for Assigning Times of Administration to Prescription Medications - Methods, systems, and computer program products for assigning times of administration to patient medications are described. A GUI is displayed within a display associated with a pharmaceutical dispensing system. The GUI includes a one day time scale for assigning a time of administration for the medication. One or more daily times of administration for the medication are assigned in response to user input via the one day time scale. A dose of the medication is packaged in each of a respective plurality of pouches according to the assigned daily times of administration via the pharmaceutical dispensing system. The one day time scale may include a time line representative of a twenty-four hour period and one or more time indicators that are positionable by a user. The one day time scale may include a plurality of food consumption times, each selectable by a user for assigning a time of administration. | 11-05-2015 |
| 20150360931 | FUEL TRANSACTION TRACKING SYSTEM - The present invention relates to a fuel transaction tracking system such as used at gasoline pumps wherein a four wire data system is operated utilizing two wires and a multiplexing system to connect to a remote four wire station including computer. | 12-17-2015 |
| 20150363991 | Bill-Recycling ATM for Teller with Supplementary Collection Box and Banknote Transfer Method Applied Thereto - The present invention relates to a bill-recycling automated teller machine (ATM) for a teller with a supplementary collection box and a banknote transfer method applied thereto, and more particularly, to a bill-recycling ATM for a teller with a supplementary collection box and a banknote transfer method applied thereto, in which in configuring the ATM for a teller used when the teller performs a banking transaction at a counter, as the supplementary collection box for replenishing or collecting banknotes is provided in the ATM, a large quantity of banknotes can be promptly replenished into or collected from banknote cassettes through the supplementary collection box, and, at the same time, when a settlement work is performed, an automatic settlement can be performed by counting banknotes through a banknote discriminating unit provided on a transporting path in a process of transporting the banknotes stored in the banknote cassettes to the supplementary collection box. | 12-17-2015 |
| 20160034669 | METHOD, SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING DISPENSING OF MEDICATION - A method, system and apparatus for controlling dispensing of medication is provided. The system comprises: a device comprising: a sensor for detecting opening and closing of a dispenser; a memory storing a dispensing schedule; an alert device for providing alerts; a short range wireless communication interface; and a processor configured to: control the alert device to provide alerts according to the schedule; and communicate sensor data using the interface; and, a communication device comprising a processor, a memory storing a dispensing application, a short range wireless communication interface; and a long range communication interface, the processor configured to: receive the dispensing schedule using the application; and transmit the dispensing schedule to the device using the respective communication interface and the application, and transmit data associated with the application using the long range interface, the data comprising one or more of the schedule and the sensor data. | 02-04-2016 |
| 20160098694 | ELECTRONIC CONTAINER VENDING PAYMENT CONTROL METHOD - A payment method for vending containers is provided. The method includes providing an electronic payment interface accessible by a user and proximate to a container vending machine, comprising an input means, an output means, and a payment module The input means comprising an electronic interface to an electronic container inventory means, an electronic selection means, at least one of a magnetic card payment interface and an NFC payment interface. The output means comprising an electronic interface to the electronic container inventory means, and the payment module comprising an electronic interface to a microcontroller, the input means, and the output means. A user interfaces with the input means in order to obtain or return a container, and the payment module determines a payment or credit due and interfaces with the user with the output means. | 04-07-2016 |
| 20160098883 | Systems and Methods for Providing a Combined Product for Dispensing from a Product Dispenser - Embodiments of the invention can include systems and methods for providing a combined product for dispensing from a product dispenser. In one embodiment, a system can provide a combined product for dispensing from a product dispenser. The system can include a code generation module operable to receive data associated with a plurality of product recipes; and generate a machine readable item with a combined recipe including the plurality of product recipes, wherein the machine readable item configures a product dispenser to dispense the combined recipe. | 04-07-2016 |
| 20160104339 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MAKING FOOD ITEMS - A food preparation system is provided. The food preparation system includes a revolving slicer configured to slice a plurality of different food items. The revolving slicer comprises a rotating barrel having a number of chambers along its length. A blade is positioned adjacent to a bottom face of the rotating barrel. When a chamber rotates past the blade, food within it may be sliced by the blade. | 04-14-2016 |
| 20160114976 | PICKUP LOCATION MONITORING - A pickup location that includes a control station and one or more storage compartment modules provides the ability for items to be ordered and delivered for pickup by a user without having to pack those items in a shipping package prior to shipping from a materials handling facility. Delivering items for pickup by a user without having to package the items prior to shipping, may provide a better experience for the customer, reduce waste in packaging material and a lower cost of delivering the ordered items to the customer. | 04-28-2016 |
| 20160117893 | HEURISTICS FOR MEDIA DISPENSING IN AUTOMATED TELLER MACHINES (ATMS) - According to embodiments described in the specification, a method of dispensing media from an ATM is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: at an electronic device including a processor, a memory, and a touch-sensitive display, displaying a first mix of media items for dispensing by the ATM; receiving input from the touch-sensitive display including a first mix adjustment parameter; applying a heuristic based on the received first mix adjustment parameter, and, at the ATM, dispensing a second mix of media items, the second mix responsive to the application of the heuristic. | 04-28-2016 |
| 20160147977 | Secure Cabinet for Dispensing Items - The present invention is a kiosk that can regulate, control and distributing authorized products. The kiosk has a user interface that receives information about a user and authenticates the user's identity. The kiosk can accept a user's request to purchase a regulated product. The kiosk can then a regulator the user's request for approval and deliver the product to the user. | 05-26-2016 |
| 20160180629 | Method for Maintenance of a Retail Unit | 06-23-2016 |
| 20160189464 | BILL HANDLING SYSTEM, BILL HANDLING APPARATUS, AND BILL HANDLING METHOD - A banknote handling system includes: a full image obtaining unit configured to obtain a full image of the banknote being transported by a transport unit; and an image processing unit configured to process the full image obtained by the full image obtaining unit to generate at least one processed image smaller in data size than the full image. The banknote handling system further includes: an option presentation unit configured to present a user with a plurality of options and allow the user to select one of the plurality of options, the options including the full image and the at least one processed image; and a storage unit configured to store an image related to the option selected by the user from the plurality of options presented by the option presentation unit. | 06-30-2016 |
| 20160193115 | Medical Cabinet Access Belt Optimization System | 07-07-2016 |
| 20160196709 | Product Vending and Tube Delivery System for Delivering Products to Remote Consumers | 07-07-2016 |
| 20180022593 | BEVERAGE DISPENSING MACHINE | 01-25-2018 |
