Various embodiments of kiosks for purchasing mobile phones and other mobile electronic devices from users are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the kiosks include an apparatus to turn a mobile phone over on an inspection surface. This apparatus can enable the kiosk to visually inspect both the front and back sides of the mobile device on the inspection surface with an inspection system (e.g., imaging devices, lighting devices, etc.) positioned above the inspection surface, and can eliminate the need to position a second inspection system below a transparent inspection surface to visually inspect, e.g., the back side of the mobile device through the transparent inspection surface. In some embodiments, the kiosk also includes a wireless mobile phone charging device that can be used for, e.g., phone charging and identification.

The present invention relates to a vending machine, more specifically a vending machine that includes: a money deposit opening, into which a particular currency may be deposited; a money return opening; an input part configured to receive a user input from a user for product selection; a product dispenser opening configured to dispense a product selected by the user; and a product competition module configured to determine a ranking of products in consideration of a sales record of products during a predetermined period, and configured to perform a control to offer a benefit in correspondence to a ranking of the product selected by the user.

Providing targeted advertising on food/beverage preparation or dispensing machines may include electronically presenting selected targeted media on or in proximity to a food/beverage preparation or dispensing machine. This may involve automatically activating consumable item preparation or dispensing mechanisms of the food/beverage preparation or dispensing machine, or activating an item selection menu, in conjunction with electronically presenting the selected media. The targeted advertising may be based on receiving user input such as information identifying a particular user or consumer or menu selections and then selecting the selected media based on the received user input. User interface elements may also be provided enabling a user to request additional information regarding selected targeted media be electronically sent to them or an order be placed for a related product. Compensation to a user or another entity may be activated each time the selected media is played.

Providing targeted advertising on food/beverage preparation or dispensing machines may include electronically presenting selected targeted media on or in proximity to a food/beverage preparation or dispensing machine. This may involve automatically activating consumable item preparation or dispensing mechanisms of the food/beverage preparation or dispensing machine, or activating an item selection menu, in conjunction with electronically presenting the selected media. The targeted advertising may be based on receiving user input such as information identifying a particular user or consumer or menu selections and then selecting the selected media based on the received user input. User interface elements may also be provided enabling a user to request additional information regarding selected targeted media be electronically sent to them or an order be placed for a related product. Compensation to a user or another entity may be activated each time the selected media is played.

Systems and methods for using wireless beacons in point of purchase (“POP”) displays to facilitate the delivery of consumer oriented content to mobile devices is disclosed. Wireless beacons may be used to broadcast wireless signals from POP displays, where the wireless signals include data packets with unique identifiers for the wireless beacons. The wireless signals may be received by mobile devices. A remote server may communicate with the mobile device and provide the mobile device with up-to-date content associated with the POP displays. A geographic location of the mobile device may be assessed and used to determine if the mobile device is at an acceptable location for displaying the up-to-date content.

A product dispensing device includes: one product discharging device; and the other product discharging device. The one product discharging device includes: a DC motor serving as a drive source; and a driving force applying unit configured to apply a driving force from the DC motor when a discharge command is issued. The driving force applying unit includes: an output gear configured to rotate about a central axis of the output gear according to a driving state of the DC motor; an arm member configured to rotate in accordance with a rotation direction of the output gear when the output gear is rotated; and a link lever member configured such that the one product discharging device and the other product discharging device are alternatively driven in accordance with a rotation of the arm member.

A sensor device is provided to detect a filling status of a consumable in a dispenser, the consumable being web material, and the filling status relating to a spatial extension of the consumable in the dispenser. The sensor device includes a capacitive sensor having an elongated and planar sensor area; and a first measurement section configured to measure the filling status of the dispenser. The capacitive sensor includes a first channel and a second channel. The first measurement section is configured to measure the filling status of the dispenser based on changes in capacitance detected by the first channel and the second channel.

A pharmaceutical storage and retrieval system and a method of storing and retrieving pharmaceutical containers from the system. The system includes a pharmaceutical storage and retrieval and a controller operatively coupled to the device to control storage and retrieval functions of the device. The device includes a gantry assembly, a shelving assembly, a user access assembly, and a user authorization system that function in a coordinated manner to carry out the storage and retrieval functions of the device.

A vending machine has an interactive customer experience. Some embodiments of the vending machine include a transparent front wall with a plurality of display units located behind the front wall. Each of the display units may contain an example of a product available for vending. Based on input received from a customer and other information, the vending machine may provide a recommendation for a product or products to select for purchase. The vending machine may highlight the recommendation by selectively illuminating the product display units that contain the recommended products.

Various embodiments herein each include at least one of devices, methods, and software for image processing to identifying conditions of interest within SSTs, such as ATMs and self-checkout POS terminals. Conditions of interest may include media misalignment within media cassettes, such as currency, and items within an SST reject bin that have not been removed when the SST is being serviced. One method embodiment includes receiving an image from an imaging device located within an SST, the image including a view of at least one area of interest within the SST. This method further includes processing the image to detect presence of a condition of interest within at least one of the at least one areas of interest and generating and providing an alert of a detected presence of the condition of interest with regard to at least one of the areas of interest.