In an exemplary method of monitoring usage of an electronically operated dispenser, a dispensing mechanism is operated by an internal controller of the dispenser in response to user activation of an actuator of the dispenser in communication with the controller. In response to operation of the dispensing mechanism, dispenser data is written to an internal dispenser memory in wired communication with the controller, with the controller and the dispenser memory being electrically connected with and powered by a power source. The dispenser memory receives a wireless interrogation signal from an external reader and collects energy from the wireless interrogation signal. In response to receipt of the wireless interrogation signal, the dispenser memory wirelessly transmits the written dispenser data to the external reader, with the dispenser memory being powered by the collected energy.

In an exemplary method of monitoring usage of an electronically operated dispenser, a dispensing mechanism is operated by an internal controller of the dispenser in response to user activation of an actuator of the dispenser in communication with the controller. In response to operation of the dispensing mechanism, dispenser data is written to an internal dispenser memory in wired communication with the controller, with the controller and the dispenser memory being electrically connected with and powered by a power source. The dispenser memory receives a wireless interrogation signal from an external reader and collects energy from the wireless interrogation signal. In response to receipt of the wireless interrogation signal, the dispenser memory wirelessly transmits the written dispenser data to the external reader, with the dispenser memory being powered by the collected energy.

A system and method may present, by a first application being executed by an electronic device, a first user interface that enables a user to select a food item and/or non-food item for purchase at a retail establishment. In response to receiving, by the first application, a request from the user using the first user interface to purchase a beverage at the retail establishment, a second application may be linked with the first application. A data repository inclusive of selectable beverage options available for dispensing by a beverage dispenser at the retail establishment may be accessed. The second application may present a second user interface for selection of a selectable beverage option. A selected beverage instruction code representative of a selected beverage may be generated and communicated to the beverage dispenser at the retail establishment to cause the beverage dispenser to be configured for dispensing the selected beverage.

A touchless food dispenser. The touchless food dispenser includes one or more types of food stored therein, one or more removable nozzles, and one or more nozzle replacement mechanisms. The touchless food dispenser is configured to dispense the food through the one or more removable nozzles. The one or more nozzle replacement mechanisms are configured to remove the one or more removable nozzles and replaces the one or more removable nozzles with a different removable nozzle.

A method for monitoring a pinch valve, the method may include sensing an electrical parameter of at least one flexible sensor during a monitoring period to provide multiple values of the sensed electrical parameter; wherein the at least one flexible sensor comprises piezoresistive nanomaterials, wherein the piezoresistive nanomaterials are directly coupled to a flexible conduit of the pinch valve; wherein the sensed electrical parameter is indicative of a flexible conduit parameter selected out of stress and pressure; and estimating, based on the multiple values of the sensed electrical parameter, a state of the pinch valve.

An automatic frozen food product vending machine includes a freezer barrel configured to produce a frozen food product, a spigot fluidly connected to the freezer barrel, the spigot for dispensing the frozen food product, a movable platform for supporting a container to receive frozen food product, the movable container movable among a home position and a fill position below the spigot, and a processing circuit configured to open the spigot and fill the container with an amount of frozen food product.

An automatic frozen food product vending machine includes a freezer barrel configured to produce a frozen food product, a spigot fluidly connected to the freezer barrel, the spigot for dispensing the frozen food product, a movable platform for supporting a container to receive frozen food product, the movable container movable among a home position and a fill position below the spigot, and a processing circuit configured to open the spigot and fill the container with an amount of frozen food product.

A system for providing treated water includes a water treatment unit including an inlet water quality probe, a worker bed, a probe to measure a parameter of water from the worker bed, a polisher bed connected downstream from the worker bed and having a probe to measure a parameter of water from the polisher bed, and a flow meter upstream of the worker bed or downstream of the polisher bed. A controller in communication with the flow meter and the probes is configured to receive data from same. A remote server in communication with the local water treatment unit is configured to receive data from the local water treatment unit. The controller or the server may determine a cumulative flow total, a billing cycle flow total, a current exchange flow total, a contaminant load, or a remaining capacity of the water treatment unit.

A system for providing treated water includes a water treatment unit including an inlet water quality probe, a worker bed, a probe to measure a parameter of water from the worker bed, a polisher bed connected downstream from the worker bed and having a probe to measure a parameter of water from the polisher bed, and a flow meter upstream of the worker bed or downstream of the polisher bed. A controller in communication with the flow meter and the probes is configured to receive data from same. A remote server in communication with the local water treatment unit is configured to receive data from the local water treatment unit. The controller or the server may determine a cumulative flow total, a billing cycle flow total, a current exchange flow total, a contaminant load, or a remaining capacity of the water treatment unit.

An automatic frozen food product vending machine includes a frozen food product dispensing station for dispensing at least one frozen food product, a container dispenser for storing multiple frozen food product containers and configured to automatically dispense one frozen food product container at a time, a first movable platform for supporting a dispensed frozen food product container, a topping dispensing station for dispensing at least one topping, a second movable platform for supporting the dispensed frozen food product container, a user input device configured to receive a user selection of a desired frozen food product and a user selection of a desired topping, and processing electronics configured to automate operation of the vending machine after the user selections are made.