A pedal-operated vending machine includes a housing defining a product storage area and a delivery portal. The vending machine further includes a dispensing mechanism configured to convey a product in the product storage area to the delivery portal. Vending machine may further include a pedal arranged on a lower end of the housing and configured to be operated by a foot of a consumer to actuate the dispensing mechanism to move the product from the product storage area to the delivery portal.

A consumer-operated kiosk can include an inspection area configured to receive a first device from a user. The kiosk can include an imaging device configured to image the first device when the first device is positioned within the inspection area. In some embodiments, the kiosk includes a vending apparatus configured to store a plurality of second electronic devices for purchase. The kiosk can include one or more release mechanisms configured to directly release any one of the second electronic devices from the vending apparatus. The kiosk includes one or more processors operably connected to the inspection area, the imaging device, the vending apparatus, and the one or more release mechanisms. The one or more processors can be configured to cause the imaging device to capture one or more images of the first electronic device, facilitate purchase of the first electronic device based at least in part on the one or more captured images of the first electronic device, receive a request to vend a selected phone from among the phones in the vending apparatus, and/or cause the one or more release mechanisms to release the selected phone directly from the vending apparatus into a vending bay of the kiosk.

Various embodiments of kiosks for purchasing and/or recycling mobile phones and other mobile electronic devices from users are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the kiosks are relatively small (e.g., less than 0.75 cubic feet) and/or are configured to mount to other kiosks or other suitable mounting structures in publicly accessible areas. The kiosks can include an inspection area having a transparent plate through which the mobile electronic device can be viewed by a camera in the kiosk. The transparent plate can be movable (e.g., tiltable) to direct the mobile electronic device to one or more bins below the inspection area. The kiosk can also include one or more deflecting plates configured to direct the mobile electronic device to a selected bin. One or more of the deflecting plates can be configured to move (e.g., tilt) between two or more configurations to direct mobile electronic device to the selected bin.

A single body multifunction handheld electronic device includes a first display, a CPU, a working memory, an interface for data entry, and a second display arranged on a plane inclined with respect to the plane of the first display, and wherein the first and the second displays are properly and easily visible from two substantially opposite positions.

A data center supporting a network system for vending products to customers and associated vending methods are provided. The network system includes a data center and a plurality of vending stores remotely located from the data center and connected to the data center through a network interface. The vending stores also include an automated dispensing mechanism for immediate dispensing of purchased products to the customers. The data center may include an enterprise resource planning module and the vending stores may contain user interfaces for collecting inventory and maintenance data during stocking and maintenance.

A data center supporting a network system for vending products to customers and associated vending methods are provided. The network system includes a data center and a plurality of vending stores remotely located from the data center and connected to the data center through a network interface. The vending stores also include an automated dispensing mechanism for immediate dispensing of purchased products to the customers. The data center may include an enterprise resource planning module and the vending stores may contain user interfaces for collecting inventory and maintenance data during stocking and maintenance.

A mobile self-vending beverage dispenser is disclosed. In embodiments, the dispenser includes a mobile housing divided into segmented sections. Each segmented section includes an outlet at the bottom for dispensing canned beverages and an access hatch for loading canned beverages into the segmented section. Each segmented section includes a vertical staggered raceway extending from the access hatch the outlet via which the segmented section is loaded with canned beverages, the cans traveling in a gravity-assisted path downward to the outlet for dispensing upon request.

A payment terminal sanitizing device includes a housing having a base member configured to removably secure to a payment terminal. The base member includes tabs and slots that engage corresponding tabs and slots on the payment terminal. A top cover is removably secured to the base member. The sides of the top cover and base member curve outwardly to form an interior volume between the top cover and base portion. The interior volume includes a plurality of brackets configured to support individual UV lights that are positioned on opposing sides of the interior of the housing. The UV lights are operably connected to a power source, such as a wall outlet, for example. The UV lights are oriented such that they illuminate or irradiate the input mechanisms of the payment terminal, in order to prevent the spread of germs between individual users of the payment terminal.

In a medication dispensing system, pills of different medications are stored in different chambers of a pill bottle. An assembly of a non-moving disc having holes corresponding to each chamber, a rotatable disc having a hole for dispensing pills therethrough, and a motor, dispenses the pills according to a prescribed schedule. The motor controls the rotations of the rotatable disc according to a user-specified schedule.