An automated dispensing system that is able to automatically dispensing beverages into reusable or recyclable products. The refillable beverage dispenser is a convenient and environmentally friendly automated system that is able to determine previous refill preferences of a user saved from a user profile. The automated dispensing system is also able to determine if the user has any refills available credited on their account to expediate the refillable dispensing process facilitating a hand-free experience.

An automated dispensing system that is able to automatically dispensing beverages into reusable or recyclable products. The refillable beverage dispenser is a convenient and environmentally friendly automated system that is able to determine previous refill preferences of a user saved from a user profile. The automated dispensing system is also able to determine if the user has any refills available credited on their account to expediate the refillable dispensing process facilitating a hand-free experience.

A meter device for metering information representative of an amount of resource consumed includes a regulating member that can be in one of three states (first state blocking consumption of the resource, second state authorizing consumption up to a first flow rate limit, a third state authorizing consumption of the resource up to a second flow rate limit); verifying whether a credit level is equal to or greater than the amount consumed; and if the verification is negative and the regulating member of the given meter is in the second state, transmitting a message to set the regulating member in the third state, the processor being configured, when the regulating member is in the third state and a flow rate of consumed resource is greater than the second flow rate limit, to change the state of the member from the third state to the first state.

Systems, methods, and apparatus are described that enable a serial bus to be operated in one or more modes that employ additional wires for communicating data. A method includes a method includes providing a first interrogating signal configured to cause a controller in a vehicle that is entering the parking facility to monitor status of the vehicle while the vehicle is present within the parking facility, and measure a duration of time in which the vehicle is parked within the parking facility. The method further incudes providing a second interrogating signal when the vehicle is exiting the parking facility, the second interrogating signal being configured to cause the controller to transmit information that includes the duration of time in which the vehicle was parked within the parking facility.