A system for monitoring a vending machine is presented, the vending machine includes a controller and associated memory configured to store information associated with the condition of the vending machine. The vending machine also has a first short range transceiver configured to transmit the information associated with the condition of the vending machine, a first distance. A plurality of mobile devices each having a second short range transceiver and a first long range transceiver, the mobile devices configured to receive information associated with the condition of the vending machine and transmit it via the long range transceiver. A second long range transceiver is associated with a server coupled to the second long range transceiver. The server configured to receive the information associated with the condition of the vending machine, the server configured to send a signal to a subset of the plurality mobile device to induce the mobile device to be transported to within the first distance from the vending machine.

A system incorporating a fluid dispenser for dispensing chemicals includes at least one sensor for sensing fluid flow and a dispenser management unit. The dispenser management unit includes a processor and corresponding storage memory for storing firmware, at least one input for receiving sensor data from the or each sensor, a data transfer device comprising storage memory for storing the received sensor data, and a power source for powering at least the processor. The system further incorporates a portable terminal configured to receive data from the dispenser, and a remote server configured to receive the data from the portable terminal.

A computerized non-visible signal based surveillance system including a computerized subsystem for associating RF signals in a transactional environment, the computerized subsystem including a sensor configured to sense a plurality of RF signals emitted from within a predetermined range of the sensor at points in time and a computerized signal associator configured to receive outputs from the sensor and provide an output which associates at least some of the plurality of RF signals and generate a unique RF signal-based identifier and an alert generating subsystem configured to employ the unique RF signal-based identifier for identifying an unauthorized person or an unauthorized device based at least in part on the unique RF signal-based identifier. There is even further provided a surveillance method including associating RF signals and ascertaining a presence of an unauthorized person or an unauthorized device based at least in part on the unique RF signal-based identifier.

An article dispensing apparatus includes: a storage unit configured to store a plurality of articles; and a dispensing unit configured to be provided below the storage unit and dispense at least one article from the storage unit, and the storage unit includes a partition member extending obliquely downward from a one side end portion positioned on one side to an other side end portion positioned on the other side above the dispensing unit to support the articles, and configured to drop the articles from the other side end portion to the dispensing unit.

A card dispenser for dispensing a rewritable card is disclosed herein. The card dispenser may include a card feeder for receiving or dispensing a rewritable card. In addition, the card dispenser includes a roller assembly for moving the card from the card feeder to components within the card dispenser; a processor for receiving card data via a short-range wireless connection with a mobile device of a user, the card data including (i) a card identifier of a plurality of card identifiers associated with an account of the user and (ii) a unique derivation key for encrypting the card identifier; and a card writer for powering an electrophoretic display of the card, causing at least a portion of the card data to be rendered on the display, and stopping the powering of the display.

First data characterizing an attribute of a fuel dispenser user interacting with a fuel dispenser having an interactive display can be received. Second data characterizing a gaming application for presentation on the interactive display of the fuel dispenser can be determined based on the received first data and using a first predictive model that predicts an association of the gaming application with the fuel dispenser user characterized by the first data. The second data can be provided such that an instance of the gaming application is presented on the interactive display of the fuel dispenser. Related apparatus, systems, methods, techniques, and articles are also described.

Various methods, systems, and devices for loading currency into an electronic wallet are provided. In general, a currency acceptance terminal can be configured to accept currency from a user for loading into the user's electronic wallet, which may be used to purchase products from a merchant. The currency acceptance terminal can be unmanned such that the currency can be accepted and loaded into the electronic wallet without a cashier or other employee handling the currency or the currency acceptance terminal.

A system comprises a client module installed on a vending machine, the vending machine displaying one or more items for purchase in a first arrangement, and a purchase fulfilment subsystem. A QR code is generated by the purchase fulfilment subsystem and transmitted to the client module. A first set of signals to initiate a transaction is transmitted by the user device to the purchase fulfilment system. The purchase fulfilment subsystem transmits to the user device a second set of signals to display elements in a second arrangement. The user device transmits a third set of signals to the purchase fulfilment subsystem related to activation of an element. The purchase fulfilment subsystem transmits to the client module a fourth set of signals comprising commands to enable the vending machine to dispense an item. The client module sends one or more instructions to the vending machine to dispense the item.

The purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a system for calculating a cosmetic manufacturing method capable of accurately manufacturing dyes and a method for operating same. A terminal may comprise: a storage unit for storing data regarding a dye manufacturing method; an input unit for receiving input of a current color and a target color; and a control unit for calculating a dye manufacturing method for dyeing hair from the current color to the target color on the basis of the data, wherein the control unit calculates the dye manufacturing method including information about cartridges for discharging dye materials and the amount of discharge of the dye material from each of the cartridges.

A controlled dispensing fixture including a display screen, a scanning device, and one or more processors is configured to: obtain via the display screen or remote scanner a selection of one or more controlled products; update a user interface on the display screen based on the selection; determine whether the one or more controlled products meet a purchase limit associated with the one or more controlled products for dispensing; obtain via the scanning device consumer identification information; determine whether the consumer identification information meets an age threshold and/or an identity requirement associated with the one or more controlled products; and in accordance with a determination that (i) the one or more controlled products meet the purchase limit for dispensing, and (ii) the consumer identification information meets the age threshold and/or the identity requirement, transmit a dispensing instruction to the dispensing fixture to dispense the one or more controlled products.