Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are described for dispensing consumable products. An example method may include generating, at a controller associated with a beverage dispenser, a beverage composition record for a beverage that is formulated via an ingredient matrix and dispensed at the beverage dispenser, where the ingredient matrix comprises multiple ingredient packages each comprising a beverage ingredient. The method may include writing depletion data to the ingredient package or to a data processing device associated with the ingredient package for each ingredient package from which a beverage ingredient was included in the dispensed beverage, wherein the depletion data is based at least in part on the beverage composition record.

Methods and systems for accurately and securely dispensing high value beverages are presented herein. A beverage distribution system includes one or more replaceable beverage cartridges mounted to a beverage dispensing device. Each of the beverage cartridges includes a fluid reservoir with an output port, an output control valve, a flowmeter, and a local controller. The local controller receives signals from the flow meter and determines a cumulative amount of beverage fluid dispensed from the beverage cartridge based on the received signals. In one embodiment, the beverage dispensing device includes a fluid pump and a master controller. The master controller also estimates the cumulative amount of beverage fluid dispensed from each beverage cartridge based on control commands communicated to each beverage cartridge. If a difference between the estimated cumulative amounts of fluid dispensed from a beverage cartridge exceeds a predetermined threshold value, an alert is generated.

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.

The present invention provides a processing apparatus (10) including: a registration unit (12) that recognizes, based on image processing, product discrimination information of a product picked up from a product placing space, and registers the recognized product discrimination information in association with customer discrimination information; and a settlement unit (13) that executes, when it is detected, based on image processing, that a customer having picked up the product performs a predetermined action, a settlement based on a registration content resulting from the registration unit (12).

One or more example embodiments provide a vending machine (105) that detects refrigerant leaks. The vending machine includes a main cabinet (605), a sensor circuit (615), and control equipment (830). The sensor circuit is configured to detect a refrigerant leaked in the main cabinet. The control equipment is configured to operate a component (620) of the refrigerated vending machine based on the detected refrigerant.

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.

An individual-specific cosmetics manufacturing selling machine includes a housing, a raw material supply part provided inside the housing and configured to supply liquid cosmetic raw materials, a container supply part configured to supply a cosmetic container, a raw material injection part configured to inject the raw materials into the container, an articulated robot configured to pick up the container from the container supply part and place the container at a predetermined position, a stirrer configured to stir the raw materials injected into the container, and a cosmetics outlet configured to discharge a manufactured cosmetics to the outside of the housing. Also provided is a cosmetics manufacturing selling method using the individual-specific cosmetics manufacturing selling machine.

A system for providing a measure of a number of cups housed within a cup dispenser includes a sensor and a computing system. The cup dispenser includes a body configured to house a stack of cups, and a plunger configured to engage a first cup of the stack of cups and to bias the stack of cups toward a discharge opening defined by a first end of the body. The sensor is coupled to the plunger and is configured to measure a distance from the plunger to a second end of the body, and to transmit the measured distance across a network. The computing system receives the measured distance from the network, and determines, based on the measured distance, the measure of the number of cups housed within the cup dispenser. In response to determining that the number of cups is less than the threshold, the system transmits an alert.

Systems and methods for conducting a payment transaction at a vending machine using a mobile device are disclosed herein. A vending machine includes a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) module that is used to connect to a user's mobile device. The mobile device's web browser accesses a web page that establishes a BLE connection between the vending machine and mobile device and also facilitates a payment transaction with an online payment service provider without transmitting any payment information to the vending machine.

A system for monitoring a vending machine is presented, the vending machine includes a controller and associated memory configured to store information associated with the condition of the vending machine. The vending machine also has a first short range transceiver configured to transmit the information associated with the condition of the vending machine, a first distance. A plurality of mobile devices each having a second short range transceiver and a first long range transceiver, the mobile devices configured to receive information associated with the condition of the vending machine and transmit it via the long range transceiver. A second long range transceiver is associated with a server coupled to the second long range transceiver. The server configured to receive the information associated with the condition of the vending machine, the server configured to send a signal to a subset of the plurality mobile device to induce the mobile device to be transported to within the first distance from the vending machine.