A dispenser is provided for dispensing a hygiene product. The dispenser includes, comprising 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.

A semiautonomous apparatus (1) for preparation and distribution of edible products, e.g. beverages, having a subsystem of preparation of edible products based upon portions (2) of edible substances, for example capsule of ground coffee beans for preparing expresso coffee, and comprising at least one brewing device (4), and a subsystem of propulsion and locomotion comprising propulsion and locomotion means (5). The apparatus (1) comprises a casing (3) with a generally parallelepiped, cylindrical shape, or other, that configures a top area that develops at all width and all length at the highest level of said casing (3). The top area comprises a plurality of service regions (31, 32) distributed in coherent manner in the top area of said casing (3). The first service region (31) presents first and second openings (11, 12) for introduction of portions (2) and for discharging beverage in a direction opposite to the gravity force.

A food preparation unit receives unit input in the form of an image selected by a user of a vending machine or client device application. The food preparation unit translates the image into a format that is recognizable by further components of the unit. The food preparation unit represents the image as a set of instructions for the components of the unit. The instructions comprise a selection of sauces to dispense, a dispensing method, and a dispensing nozzle. The food preparation unit identifies a starting location of the dispensing nozzle and dispenses the selected sauce from the dispensing nozzle in the form of the chosen image.

A food preparation unit receives unit input in the form of an image selected by a user of a vending machine or client device application. The food preparation unit translates the image into a format that is recognizable by further components of the unit. The food preparation unit represents the image as a set of instructions for the components of the unit. The instructions comprise a selection of sauces to dispense, a dispensing method, and a dispensing nozzle. The food preparation unit identifies a starting location of the dispensing nozzle and dispenses the selected sauce from the dispensing nozzle in the form of the chosen image.

A system for dispensing one or more products can include one or more product containers, each with a port for dispensing a product, a housing with one or more container cavities for removably receiving the product containers, one or more quantity sensors for detecting a quantity of product within one or more product containers, one or more actuators for dispensing product from one or more product containers, and a controller configured to monitor or control one or more aspects of the system.

The present invention relates to a system and method of selling goods or services, or collecting recycle refuse using mechanized mobile merchantry, comprising positioning, by self-propelling, at least one of a mechanized mobile merchantry within a geographical boundary, allowing interaction with consumers, and effectuating selling of goods or services, or collection of recycle refuse with consumers. Other exemplary embodiments can include signaling a mechanized mobile merchantry with a consumer's mobile device to direct the merchantry to self-propel to the consumer's location, and utilizing usage logs and algorithms to optimize functionality of a fleet of merchantry and reposition the merchantry, as necessary, within a geographical boundary, to increase sales and consumer convenience. The present invention also relates to a waste collection system with option to deliver new food and beverage items includes a customer service robot comprising a slave computer and one or more waste receptacles to collect waste material. The customer service robot includes at least one robotic arm having at least three degrees of motion to facilitate collection from, e.g., tables and the like. The customer service robot is also capable of interfacing with a recycling unit and a master computer to control disposal of the collected waste.

The present invention relates to a system and method of selling goods or services, or collecting recycle refuse using mechanized mobile merchantry, comprising positioning, by self-propelling, at least one of a mechanized mobile merchantry within a geographical boundary, allowing interaction with consumers, and effectuating selling of goods or services, or collection of recycle refuse with consumers. Other exemplary embodiments can include signaling a mechanized mobile merchantry with a consumer's mobile device to direct the merchantry to self-propel to the consumer's location, and utilizing usage logs and algorithms to optimize functionality of a fleet of merchantry and reposition the merchantry, as necessary, within a geographical boundary, to increase sales and consumer convenience. The present invention also relates to a waste collection system with option to deliver new food and beverage items includes a customer service robot comprising a slave computer and one or more waste receptacles to collect waste material. The customer service robot includes at least one robotic arm having at least three degrees of motion to facilitate collection from, e.g., tables and the like. The customer service robot is also capable of interfacing with a recycling unit and a master computer to control disposal of the collected waste.

A computer implemented method comprises storing a transaction variable-set corresponding to a fuel transaction for a vehicle, wherein the transaction variable-set includes a fuel consumption history for the vehicle, a net sale, a number of purchased fuel units, and a diff value. The method further comprises deriving, by a machine learning module and based on the transaction variable-set, a plurality of characteristics of the purchased fuel, wherein the plurality of characteristics includes a fuel type of the purchased fuel and a fuel grade of the purchased fuel.

A liquid filling and dispensing method comprises determining whether a user account is valid; if the user account is valid: enabling a user to obtain operating parameters of a processing assembly configured to collect and transfer liquid to a filling assembly; enabling the user to find a fill location having the filling assembly, wherein the fill assembly is configured to fill a validated container with liquid; and enabling the user to initiate filling of the container with the liquid at the filling assembly.

A liquid filling and dispensing method comprises determining whether a user account is valid; if the user account is valid: enabling a user to obtain operating parameters of a processing assembly configured to collect and transfer liquid to a filling assembly; enabling the user to find a fill location having the filling assembly, wherein the fill assembly is configured to fill a validated container with liquid; and enabling the user to initiate filling of the container with the liquid at the filling assembly.