There is provided a device for automatic asset management as well as a method for dispensing items from said automatic asset management device. The device comprises an enclosure, a shelving unit within the enclosure configured to store at least one item, a delivery hatch on the enclosure configured to allow access to the enclosure, and a dispensing unit within the enclosure. The dispensing unit comprises a front gate comprising an open portion and a closed portion, wherein the front gate is configured to control access through the delivery hatch and an elevator module configured to receive the item from the shelving unit, move to the front gate to link with the front gate, while linked with the front gate, move with the front gate to align the open portion with the delivery hatch to allow access to the item within the elevator module; and upon removal of the item from the elevator module, release the front gate to align the closed portion with the delivery hatch to restrict access to the delivery hatch.

There is provided a device for automatic asset management as well as a method for dispensing items from said automatic asset management device. The device comprises an enclosure, a shelving unit within the enclosure configured to store at least one item, a delivery hatch on the enclosure configured to allow access to the enclosure, and a dispensing unit within the enclosure. The dispensing unit comprises a front gate comprising an open portion and a closed portion, wherein the front gate is configured to control access through the delivery hatch and an elevator module configured to receive the item from the shelving unit, move to the front gate to link with the front gate, while linked with the front gate, move with the front gate to align the open portion with the delivery hatch to allow access to the item within the elevator module; and upon removal of the item from the elevator module, release the front gate to align the closed portion with the delivery hatch to restrict access to the delivery hatch.

A system for automatic filling of medication organizers comprises i) a storage unit for medication containers that is accessible from a first side thereof, ii) a plurality of medication organizer filling units, each having a temporary storage rack that is accessible from a side of the medication filling units that faces the storage unit, and iii) a container handling system that is positioned between the storage unit and the temporary storage racks and that is movable between the storage unit and each of the temporary storage racks for transferring selected medication containers therebetween. The system allows minimizing idle times by moving medication containers between the storage unit and temporary storage racks simultaneously to the filling process.

A system for automatic filling of medication organizers comprises i) a storage unit for medication containers that is accessible from a first side thereof, ii) a plurality of medication organizer filling units, each having a temporary storage rack that is accessible from a side of the medication filling units that faces the storage unit, and iii) a container handling system that is positioned between the storage unit and the temporary storage racks and that is movable between the storage unit and each of the temporary storage racks for transferring selected medication containers therebetween. The system allows minimizing idle times by moving medication containers between the storage unit and temporary storage racks simultaneously to the filling process.

A system for automatic filling of medication organizers comprises i) a storage unit for medication containers that is accessible from a first side thereof ii) a plurality of medication organizer filling units, each having a temporary storage rack that is accessible from a side of the medication filling units that faces the storage unit, and iii) a container handling system that is positioned between the storage unit and the temporary storage racks and that is movable between the storage unit and each of the temporary storage racks for transferring selected medication containers therebetween. The system allows minimizing idle times by moving medication containers between the storage unit and temporary storage racks simultaneously to the filling process.

A system for automatic filling of medication organizers comprises i) a storage unit for medication containers that is accessible from a first side thereof ii) a plurality of medication organizer filling units, each having a temporary storage rack that is accessible from a side of the medication filling units that faces the storage unit, and iii) a container handling system that is positioned between the storage unit and the temporary storage racks and that is movable between the storage unit and each of the temporary storage racks for transferring selected medication containers therebetween. The system allows minimizing idle times by moving medication containers between the storage unit and temporary storage racks simultaneously to the filling process.

A vending machine for selling or dispensing products or items to a user may include a container for storing and displaying the products. The container may have a transparent portion making the products visible from outside the container, and an aperture for removing one or more products by hand, wherein the aperture gives direct access to the products. An aperture access enabling device may selectively enable or prevent access through the aperture into the container. Finally, a recognition module for recognizing each of the products in the container, may include at least one module selected from the group consisting of: a camera based object recognition module, a weight recognition module, and an RFID recognition module. Also described are methods of operating the vending machine.

A vending machine for selling or dispensing products or items to a user may include a container for storing and displaying the products. The container may have a transparent portion making the products visible from outside the container, and an aperture for removing one or more products by hand, wherein the aperture gives direct access to the products. An aperture access enabling device may selectively enable or prevent access through the aperture into the container. Finally, a recognition module for recognizing each of the products in the container, may include at least one module selected from the group consisting of: a camera based object recognition module, a weight recognition module, and an RFID recognition module. Also described are methods of operating the vending machine.

An article dispensing apparatus includes: one article discharging apparatus; and another article discharging apparatus, the one article discharging apparatus and the other article discharging apparatus being capable of being combined in a back-to-back manner. The one article discharging apparatus includes: a driving source; an output gear configured to rotate by a driving force from the driving source when a discharging instruction has been given to the one article discharging apparatus; link levers where each link lever is provided rotatably about an axis of the link lever; and a controller configured to perform return processing including rotating the output gear in another direction or one direction to return the output gear to a standby position when the output gear that has been rotated in the one direction or the other direction from the standby position by the discharge instruction does not return to the standby position within a preset time.

Systems and methods of retailing a retail item to an airline passenger generally include providing an airplane equipped with: an airplane cabin; a plurality of seats disposed within the airplane cabin and partitioned by an aisle; a service cart movable along the aisle; and a digital reader device; positioning the retail item in the vicinity of the digital reader device; reading an item identifier of the retail item using the digital reader device; storing the item identifier in a reader memory of the digital reader device; positioning a digital payment object in the vicinity of the digital reader device, the digital payment object being carried onto the airplane by the airline passenger; communicating information between the digital payment object and the digital reader device; and processing payment for the retail item. The digital payment object may include a physical passenger identifier, a contactless payment object, or a portable user device.