Sensor-equipped display management systems and methods that may be used to calculate a number of products removed from a display management system based upon motion of one or more mechanisms within the display management system. Additionally, the systems and methods may be used to detect patterns from the sensor data, which may be indicative of attempted theft of products stored within the display management system.

A fuel station controller to dispense fuel and drinks, a fuel station including the fuel station controller, and a product management subsystem including sensors communicatively coupled with the fuel station controller. The controller includes a housing comprising product modules having connectors adapted to connect conductors from an ingestible product dispenser, wherein the controller is communicatively coupled with the product modules and comprises processing instructions operable to receive a value indicative of a quantity of an ingestible product in a box to be dispensed by the ingestible product dispenser and to generate an empty box alert if the value is below an empty box setpoint.

An equipment rental system comprising a kiosk, the kiosk comprising a user interface configured to receive user input and provide outputs to a user, a processor configured to receive the user input from the user interface, generate user output and control a locker system; and a locker system configured to store the equipment and allow access to the equipment under control of the processor, the processor configured to: receive log in and credential information form a user via the user interface, present the user a choice of equipment, receive a selection of equipment through the user interface, gather payment information from the user through the user interface, wherein the payment information corresponds to a period of use for the selected equipment, and control the locker system to make the selected equipment available to the user.

Some embodiments provide a product inventory information distribution apparatus, comprising: a central electronic data storage buffer; a control circuit; and a memory storing computer instructions that when executed cause the control circuit to: detect product inventory update information messages, wherein each of the product inventory update information messages is received from one of multiple different product inventory systems and is generated by a corresponding one of the multiple product inventory systems when one of the multiple product inventory systems detects a change in an inventory state corresponding to any one of hundreds or more products available through the product inventory storage facility; direct each of the multiple product inventory update information messages to the central electronic data storage buffer; and maintain messages in the central electronic data storage buffer received during a buffer retention window of time.

A retail merchandise pusher is configured for sliding along a pusher assembly track. The pusher assembly is mountable to a retail merchandise shelf. The pusher includes a housing, a spring drum rotatably mounted within the housing, and a coil spring mounted to the spring drum. The coil spring is coilable and uncoilable upon rotation of the spring drum. A controller is coupled to a sensor arrangement within the housing. The sensor arrangement has a spring drum sensor for detecting rotation of the spring drum. A direction sensor detects a direction of rotation of the spring drum. An incremental distance sensor detects incremental movement of the pusher. The controller is configured to calculate, based on data from the sensor arrangement, a total distance and direction of travel by the pusher, and to generate an alarm when the pusher travels more than a threshold distance within a predetermined period of time.

A retail merchandise pusher is configured for sliding along a pusher assembly track. The pusher assembly is mountable to a retail merchandise shelf. The pusher includes a housing, a spring drum rotatably mounted within the housing, and a coil spring mounted to the spring drum. The coil spring is coilable and uncoilable upon rotation of the spring drum. A controller is coupled to a sensor arrangement within the housing. The sensor arrangement has a spring drum sensor for detecting rotation of the spring drum. A direction sensor detects a direction of rotation of the spring drum. An incremental distance sensor detects incremental movement of the pusher. The controller is configured to calculate, based on data from the sensor arrangement, a total distance and direction of travel by the pusher, and to generate an alarm when the pusher travels more than a threshold distance within a predetermined period of time.

A vending machine for storing and selling restricted commodities, and a vending method implemented therein. In the vending machine, a control module comprises a processor executing program codes to provide a vending service. A user interface is connected to the control module, comprising a sensor sampling biometric characteristics of a user. A communication module is connected to the control module, comprising a wireless transceiver configured to receive commands from the control module, and communicate with a central system or the user. The control module drives said sensor to capture the biometric characteristics of the user, and then uploads the biometric characteristics to the central system through the communications module. A database storing associations of the biometric characteristics and identity characteristics of users. The control module receives a search result from the database based on the biometric characteristics of the user to determine whether a restricted commodity is authorized for sale.

A vending machine for storing and selling restricted commodities, and a vending method implemented therein. In the vending machine, a control module comprises a processor executing program codes to provide a vending service. A user interface is connected to the control module, comprising a sensor sampling biometric characteristics of a user. A communication module is connected to the control module, comprising a wireless transceiver configured to receive commands from the control module, and communicate with a central system or the user. The control module drives said sensor to capture the biometric characteristics of the user, and then uploads the biometric characteristics to the central system through the communications module. A database storing associations of the biometric characteristics and identity characteristics of users. The control module receives a search result from the database based on the biometric characteristics of the user to determine whether a restricted commodity is authorized for sale.

A system for cashless payment of goods or services is provided which includes at least one payment unit disposed in at least one automat or machine, having at least one transmitting/receiving unit for short range communication; a processing unit; and a memory, wherein the automat or machine is connected to one or more other automats or machines via a short range communication means, at least one mobile device also having a transmitting/receiving device for both short range communication and long range communication, a processing unit and a memory. Many other detailed configurations, functionalities, systems, processes and alternatives thereto are also disclosed.

A system for cashless payment of goods or services is provided which includes at least one payment unit disposed in at least one automat or machine, having at least one transmitting/receiving unit for short range communication; a processing unit; and a memory, wherein the automat or machine is connected to one or more other automats or machines via a short range communication means, at least one mobile device also having a transmitting/receiving device for both short range communication and long range communication, a processing unit and a memory. Many other detailed configurations, functionalities, systems, processes and alternatives thereto are also disclosed.