In one embodiment, a system includes: a robotic arm assembly; a plurality of components arranged around the robotic arm assembly and positioned within reach of the robotic arm assembly; and a controller configured to control operation of the robotic arm assembly within the system. Each of the plurality of components is configured to either: store ingredients under predetermined environmental conditions; store food preparation tools; dispense ingredients; blend, cook, or assemble ingredients into a completed food item; provide cleaning functionality to the system and/or components thereof; provide user access to completed food items; or display information relevant to a food item or preparation thereof to users. Methods of using such systems to prepare and dispense food items are also disclosed, and generally include translating recipes into instructions executable by the robotic arm assembly and/or components of the system, communicating such instructions to the robotic arm assembly, and executing such instructions.

The present disclosure provides an inventory management system that offers significant improvement over existing systems by automating requests to restock inventory. The present disclosure details an inventory management system that provides real time visibility to stock levels and streamlines materials management activities, while addressing the issues of human resource misallocations, inaccurate inventory data management and related out of stock conditions. Moreover, the system of the present disclosure promotes a high level of confidence in inventory data that enables on-hand inventory levels to be reduced, thereby reducing costs and waste.

The present disclosure relates to a flowable edible product dispensing apparatus, including: a programmable controller; a touchscreen interface including an indicator of at least one edible item for selection, the operator interface in communication with the programmable controller, being wirelessly connected to the internet, and being operable to associate the at least one edible item with the least one flowable edible and/or inedible product; and the dispensing system dispenses an amount of the at least one flowable edible and/or inedible product associated with the selected edible item when the at least one edible and/or inedible item is selected.

A method and system for encouraging the selection of healthy products with a vending machine are provided. The method includes providing a vending machine that displays an inventory of products. Each product of the inventory of products includes a dispensing countdown time displayed on the vending machine. The method also includes receiving a first customer selection of a first product from the inventory of products, where the first product has a first dispensing countdown time. Additionally, the method includes actuating a countdown timer to count down to zero seconds from the first dispensing countdown time. The method also includes dispensing the first product once the countdown timer reaches zero seconds. The first product is only dispensed if a customer does not select a second product having a second dispensing countdown time before the first dispensing countdown time counts down to zero seconds.

A method and system for encouraging the selection of healthy products with a vending machine are provided. The method includes providing a vending machine that displays an inventory of products. Each product of the inventory of products includes a dispensing countdown time displayed on the vending machine. The method also includes receiving a first customer selection of a first product from the inventory of products, where the first product has a first dispensing countdown time. Additionally, the method includes actuating a countdown timer to count down to zero seconds from the first dispensing countdown time. The method also includes dispensing the first product once the countdown timer reaches zero seconds. The first product is only dispensed if a customer does not select a second product having a second dispensing countdown time before the first dispensing countdown time counts down to zero seconds.

An automatic transaction device includes: a customer service port that accumulates and holds bills so as to be accessible from a customer side; a shutter that closes a deposit/withdrawal port of the customer service port; a sensor that detects an abnormality of the shutter; a bill holding unit that holds accumulated bills, and changes a state in the customer service port from a state in which the bills can be accessed from the customer side to an inaccessible state; and a control unit that controls a change of state of the bill holding unit and an opening and closing operation of the shutter, wherein, in a case in which an abnormality of the shutter is detected, the control unit changes the state of the bill holding unit to the inaccessible state from the customer side.

A printing system provides a printer for printing indicia on a container within a vending machine. The printing system may print indicia based on information relevant to a purchase transaction. The vending machine may transmit to a remote server data relating to a purchase transaction entered into the vending machine, the remote server retrieving data relevant to the purchase transaction and/or to the purchaser and transmitting to the vending machine the data relevant to the purchase transaction, such that the printing apparatus prints indicia on the container based on the received data relevant to the purchase transaction.

A printing system provides a printer for printing indicia on a container within a vending machine. The printing system may print indicia based on information relevant to a purchase transaction. The vending machine may transmit to a remote server data relating to a purchase transaction entered into the vending machine, the remote server retrieving data relevant to the purchase transaction and/or to the purchaser and transmitting to the vending machine the data relevant to the purchase transaction, such that the printing apparatus prints indicia on the container based on the received data relevant to the purchase transaction.

Systems and methods for intelligently allocating inventory across a network of vending machines. The systems and methods include associating vending machines with an inventory target for a product and predicting a production requirement of the product based upon the respective inventory targets. After production occurs, the systems and methods include determining a difference between an amount of the product produced by the production facility based upon the predicted production requirement. To intelligently allocate the difference, the systems and methods include calculating a percentage by which the respective inventory target of vending machines changes if the modified and modifying the inventory target for vending machines in a manner that minimizes a sum of the percentages by which the respective inventory targets changes.

Systems, methods, and apparatuses are provided for storing, dispensing, and facilitating replenishment of a dispenser. The dispenser may store and dispense one or more types of consumable items. Additionally, the dispenser may include one or more sensors for sensing a storage status of the dispenser (e.g., the quantity consumable items remaining in the dispenser). Further still, the dispenser may communicate storage status updates to a remote device on which a related application can be executed, for updating a current storage status, and presenting a notification to a user of the remote device, suggesting the purchase of additional consumable items to replenish the dispenser. The related application may further present the user with other types of purchasing-related information, such as cross merchandise opportunities, a retailer located nearest to the user/mobile device where the additional consumable items can be purchased from, as well as other shopping-related features and/or functionalities.