A device may obtain sensor data regarding the vending device. The device may transmit the sensor data via a network connection for processing by a server. The server may store a data model. The server may be associated with identifying a response action associated with altering a configuration of the vending device. The device may receive information identifying the response action based on transmitting the sensor data via the network connection. The device may cause the response action to be performed based on receiving the information identifying the response action. The response action may be associated with altering a status of a component of the vending device. The device may provide information associated with identifying the status of the component.

An apparatus may receive data. The data may include first data and second data. The first data may be received from a set of sensor devices located within one or more dispensing devices. The second data may be received from one or more devices located external to the one or more dispensing devices. The apparatus may process the data to generate a model. The apparatus may receive sensor data. The apparatus may determine a response action associated with the particular dispensing device based on the sensor data and the model. The apparatus may provide information associated with causing the response action to be implemented.

The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for securely providing telemetry data of a dispenser machine to an administrator system via an exposed web service over a computer network. To secure the exposed web service, the systems and methods of the present disclosure provide secure gateways at the dispenser machine and the administrator system that can provide one or more of message integrity, authentication, authorization, and confidentiality. The secure gateways are implemented separate from the applications creating web service request and response messages at the dispenser machine and the administrator system, respectively. Because the secure gateways are implemented separate from the applications creating the web service request and response messages, the applications creating the web service request and response messages can be created and modified without consideration to message security, which is handled transparently by the secure gateways.

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 (40) which is associated with a goods store (2), which goods store (2) is stocked in a manner organized by a plurality of goods carriers (41), wherein a goods input region (4) for inserting old goods intended for replacement, return, or repurchase and an identification apparatus oriented to the input region (4) are provided, and wherein signal transducers (42, 43) are provided which are associated with a goods carrier (41) or with a group of goods carriers (41), wherein said signal transducers (42, 43) have a signal link to the identification apparatus such that following identification of old goods inserted into the goods input region (4) the signal transducer (42, 43) or the signal transducers (42, 43) for a goods carrier (41) or for a group of goods carriers (41) which is/are intended to stock new goods associated with the old goods is/are activated.

A number of variations may include a product comprising a carrousel cartridge comprising a bottom compartment; an inner case, wherein the inner case is rotatably attached to the bottom compartment and is constructed and arranged to accommodate at least one component; and a top compartment, wherein the top compartment and the bottom compartment are slideably attached together, and a carrousel cartridge dispenser comprising a housing; an indexing cam system, wherein the indexing cam system is disposed within the housing; and a dispenser trough, wherein the dispenser trough is attached to the housing.

The present invention provides a dispenser interface, associated methods and systems, and dispensers employing the dispenser interface and associated systems and methods. An example embodiment provides a method of configuring a communication interface of a dispenser controller configured to control a dispenser for dispensing hygiene products or other products. The method comprises operatively connecting a communication controller to the communication interface of the dispenser controller; and transmitting, via the communication interface and from the communication controller and to the dispenser controller, configuration information, the configuration information comprising at least one of: a communication protocol, instructions indicating dispenser information to be communicated in association with the occurrence of at least one type of dispenser event, instructions associated with how to communicate dispenser information associated with at least one type of dispenser event to the communication controller, and a priority indicator associated with at least one type of dispenser event.

A modular, scalable prescription dispensing and verification system includes a four-tiered central conveyor, dispensing control system with stored patient orders for creating dispensing and routing itineraries, carriers transporting itineraries and dispensed medications, induction station, pairs of processing stations divided by the conveyor, including automated and manual dispensing, verification, cold chain, and ambient packaging. Crossover conveyors transport carriers between dispensing station pair members for dispensing multiple products per station pair. One conveyor tier returns empty carriers to induction, another transports carriers from each dispensing station to verification, then to packaging, another transports carriers from induction to dispensing, then to additional dispensing, another conveys carriers from induction to dispensing stations. Carrier stops halt carriers at stations for removal for processing, replacement, and transport to the next station, or deposit on another tier and transport to a different station. The system may include two conveyor modules, one for refrigerated or ambient unit-of-use items, another for ambient countables.

A dispenser is provided for dispensing a hygiene product. The dispenser includes a time-of-flight sensor for measuring a position of an object relative to the dispenser; and a controller configured to selectively operate at least one function of the dispenser based on the measured position of the object relative to the dispenser. A method of operating at least one function of a dispenser for dispensing a hygiene product is also provided. The method includes measuring with a time-of-flight sensor a position of an object relative to the dispenser; and using a controller to selectively operate the at least one function of the dispenser based on the measured position of the object relative to the dispenser.

Embodiments of the invention provide a vending machine for enabling a transaction between a user and one of a plurality of remote sources. Vending machine may include a communication interface communicatively coupled with each source. Vending machine may include an input interface for receiving an input regarding the selection of a source. Vending machine may include a speaker and a microphone for audio communication with selected source, as well as a display for providing information related to the transaction from selected source. Vending machine may include a processor that transmits an indication that a source has been selected and establishes, via the communication interface, audio communication. Processor may receive, via the communication interface, a control command from selected source directing a hardware peripheral of vending machine to perform a function. Processor may receive an issuance authorization from selected source. The issuance authorization may cause a transaction item to be issued.

Provided is a belt conveyor type dispensing mechanism for an article vending machine, in which an associated component other than a belt can be easily and compactly installed. The dispensing mechanism for the article vending machine includes a drive section that is disposed in an article storing shelf 13 and on which articles arranged in a front-rear direction are carried, the drive section being configured to drive based on a vending command, and a belt conveyor unit 57 that sequentially dispenses the articles forward, the belt conveyor unit 57 includes two belt conveyors 71 moving forward and arranged away from each other in a right-left direction, and a detection unit 100 of an article detection device and a gear to drive a rear rotary shaft over which belts of the belt conveyors 71 are looped are arranged between the two belt conveyors 71.