A refrigerated vending system can conduct automatic purchase transactions. A refrigerated cooler has a refrigerated compartment with a door. An automatic lock selectively locks and unlocks the door, and a door sensor detects when the door closes. A three-dimensional imaging sensor inside the compartment captures a three-dimensional image of the merchandise. A vending transaction controller detects presentation of a method of payment, unlocks the door, determines from the door sensor that the door has been opened and closed, locks the door when it closes, actuates the three-dimensional imaging sensor to capture an updated three-dimensional image of the merchandise after the door closes, determines based on the updated image what refrigerated merchandise was removed while the door was open, and charges the method of payment for the refrigerated merchandise removed.

In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a request from a user computing device associated with a user for one or more items from an in-vehicle vending apparatus during a ride. The method also includes sending information associated with the user to start a vending session using the in-vehicle vending apparatus. The method also includes receiving an indication that the user associated with the user computer device accessed the in-vehicle vending apparatus. The method also includes determining that the user associated with the user computing device is the only user associated with the ride, determining that the user associated with the user computing device is one of a plurality of users associated with the ride, or determining that the user associated with the user computing device is associated with the in-vehicle vending apparatus.

A vending machine includes a product storage cabinet having a housing defining a storage compartment for storing a product and a door movably connected to the housing. A product sensor is configured to detect removal of the product from the storage compartment. The vending machine further includes a control assembly configured to control operation of the vending machine. The control assembly includes a support structure, a control unit mounted on the support structure, a transceiver mounted on the support structure, and a power supply mounted on the support structure. The control assembly is configured to receive information from collected by the product sensor to determine an identity of the product removed from the storage compartment.

A system and associated method are provided for maintenance of a plurality of washroom facilities by maintenance personnel, wherein each of the washroom facilities has one or more consumable product dispensers that require periodic refill. For each of the washroom facilities, the product dispensers are configured with a sensor that detects a product level or amount condition of the product dispenser, the sensors in communication with a monitoring station assigned to the washroom facility. A set of instructions unique to each of the washroom facilities is generated based upon the detected product level or amount conditions of the dispensers in the respective washroom facility, the set of instructions including instructions as to the amount of product refill to be added to the dispensers. With an identification (ID) system configured within each washroom facility, maintenance personnel that enter the washroom facility are identified and provided with the unique set of instructions in a message via a mobile smart device carried by the maintenance personnel or an audio or visual display device within the washroom facility.

A medical supplies cabinet is disclosed. The cabinet comprises a housing presenting a medical supplies storage zone at where there is provided at least one medical supplies receptacle. The receptacle(s) is/are of a shape and configuration to be able to at least partly receive and hold at least one medical item. A sensor is associated with the receptacle(s). The sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of the presence and/or absence, or removal of the medical item in/from the receptacle.

Provided herein is a methods, apparatus, and system for the configuration of customizable trays for the storage and dispensing of articles. Methods may include: receiving an indication of a plurality of articles to be stored in a tray; determining a plurality of bins corresponding to the plurality of articles; generating a layout of the bins on the tray; identifying locations of the plurality of articles within the bins on the tray; and causing the tray to be configured according to the layout of the plurality of bins on the tray. Methods may include: receiving an indication of an article to be loaded into a bin of the plurality of bins; receiving a unique identifier of the bin of the plurality of bins into which the article is loaded; and storing, in a memory, a correlation between the unique identifier of the bin and the article loaded into the bin.

A system for alerting a user of undesired components in purchase items is provided. The system comprises receiving a list of undesired components of purchased items, and defining an alert to a user of an undesired component in a purchased item, the alert comprising an alert timing configuration and an undesired component identification. The system further comprises receiving a notice that the user purchased an item, determining whether a listing of the purchased item has been automatically collected, and generating a list of components of the purchased item when the purchased item listing has been automatically collected, and obtaining from the user the list of components of the purchased item when the purchased item listing has not been automatically collected. The system further determines whether the purchased item contains an undesired component, and upon determining that the purchased item contains art undesired component, sends the alert to the user.

A customer behavioural system (100) in a store (10), the customer behavioural system (100) comprising a sensor arrangement (110) comprising one or more sensors (114a-c) and a behavioural analysis module (120). The behavioural analysis module (120) is configured to determine at least one behavioural feature (160) of a customer (20) based on sensor data from said one or more sensors (114a-c) and/or determine at least one motion event (160) of a customer (20) based on sensor data from said one or more sensors (114a-c), and determine behavioural information (122) for said customer (20) based at least on one determined behavioural feature (140) and/or at least one determined motion event (160).

A vending machine comprises a shelf for holding goods; an automatic payment terminal connected to the shelf for receiving payment of selling the goods; and at least one biometric reader that is connected to the automatic payment terminal for performing electronic bill payment of the goods. A method of selling goods automatically comprises step of providing goods on a shelf of a vending machine; reading biometric data of a user in order to identify the user; processing payment of the user according to the biometric data; and releasing the goods after receiving the payment.

A reconfigurable vending machine is provided that allows two or more vendors to share certain common infrastructure such as a support structure for housing vending units and a controller for controlling the vending units. Each vending unit is configured to store salable items and is associated with a vendor. The vending units may be removable from the vending machine and may be operable independently from the common infrastructure. Furthermore, the vending unit can be modular with at least one removable module for storing salable items. A method and system for managing inventory and sales in a reconfigurable vending machine is further provided.