Systems and methods are provided herein for producing and vending ice in an energy-efficient manner. A system for producing and vending ice comprises: an ice-making device configured to manufacture ice; a reservoir coupled to the ice-making device and configured to store the manufactured ice manufactured; and a control circuit communicatively coupled to the ice-making device, the control circuit configured to: determine a beginning ice inventory at a first time; determine a predicted ice demand for a first period, wherein the predicted ice demand is a function of at least a historical factor, a weather factor, a customer social event factor, and a public social event factor; determine an ice manufacturing quantity based on the beginning ice inventory, the predicted ice demand, and a manufacturing capacity of the ice-making device; and cause the ice-making device to produce an amount of ice consistent with the determined ice manufacturing quantity.

A processing apparatus obtains sales information from a control box of the vending machine which is connected to the computer via an interface compliant with an RS-232C standard, generates data of a screen corresponding to a specific path and including the sales information of the vending machine on a basis of the obtained sales information and transmits the data to a terminal, when having received a display request including a designation of the specific path, from the terminal.

A processing apparatus obtains sales information from a control box of the vending machine which is connected to the computer via an interface compliant with an RS-232C standard, generates data of a screen corresponding to a specific path and including the sales information of the vending machine on a basis of the obtained sales information and transmits the data to a terminal, when having received a display request including a designation of the specific path, from the terminal.

A wall-mountable jukebox and cover assembly in which a jukebox chassis is exposed by the cover in a display screen and in one or more payment receptors for pay-for-play payment collection devices. The jukebox chassis and cover are designed to enable the jukebox chassis to detachably slide-on to the cover. Various securing mechanisms and access mechanisms may be configured. The jukebox and cover assembly is configured for use in commercial venues and can be customized to each location.

In general, a smart door alarm and locking mechanism and methods for use thereof are provided for maintaining security while providing ease of access to a fuel dispenser. In an exemplary embodiment, the methods and devices are used in fuel dispensing devices for providing fuel to a vehicle. However, the methods and devices can be utilized in any device having a payment system where security and access are both required. In some embodiments, the described methods and systems include a door alarm and door lock kit that allow unlocking one or more doors in a housing of a fuel dispenser and simultaneously disabling or de-activating respective door alarm sensor(s). In a similar manner, the door can be locked and the door alarm sensor activated or re-activated substantially simultaneously.

A method for dispensing a beverage container to a consumer. The method includes receiving in a beverage container dispenser a first beverage container that contains a beverage corresponding to a beverage selection of a user. The method further includes dispensing a second beverage container containing the beverage from a temperature-regulated compartment of the beverage container dispenser. The second beverage container that is dispensed from the temperature-regulated compartment corresponds to the beverage selection of the user.

A kiosk includes a work surface and a storage container coupled to the work surface. A hardware-control device is coupled to the kiosk to allow for remote troubleshooting of hardware at the kiosk. The storage container includes a plurality of storage lockers that can store and dispense hardware if troubleshooting the device at the kiosk is unsuccessful.

A beverage warmer comprises a plurality of product shelves, where each product shelf has a plurality of product lanes. Each product lane has an ambient area, a heating area, and a serving area. A product is loaded into the beverage warmer in the ambient area of a product lane and transported through each of the heating area and serving area in response to a product being removed from the beverage warmer. The product may be maintained in the heating area for a period of time and subject to a first temperature. Upon expiration of the period of time, the product is transported from the heating area to the serving area. The product is maintained in the serving area at a second temperature, where the second temperature is lower than the first temperature.

A beverage warmer comprises a plurality of product shelves, where each product shelf has a plurality of product lanes. Each product lane has an ambient area, a heating area, and a serving area. A product is loaded into the beverage warmer in the ambient area of a product lane and transported through each of the heating area and serving area in response to a product being removed from the beverage warmer. The product may be maintained in the heating area for a period of time and subject to a first temperature. Upon expiration of the period of time, the product is transported from the heating area to the serving area. The product is maintained in the serving area at a second temperature, where the second temperature is lower than the first temperature.

A beverage dispenser for dispensing beverage containers includes an outer shell with an internal track that dispense rolling beverage containers from the track and one or more internal ice liners that retain ice to keep the beverage containers chilled.