Provided are a method for detecting quantity of items and a vending machine. The vending machine includes: an item column configured to temporarily store items, where the item column includes an outlet; a shielding member configured to shield or open the outlet of the item column; and a driving device configured to drive the items in the item column to move toward the outlet of the item column. The method includes: controlling the shielding member to shield the outlet of the item column; driving the items in the item column to move until the items in the item column abut against each other; detecting a total length of all items in the item column; and calculating the quantity of items in the item column according to the total length of the all items and a length of a single item in the item column.

A vending machine includes a housing defining a product compartment and a front wall having a transparent portion. A platform is arranged within the product compartment of the vending machine for storing a product thereon, and the platform includes a first end opposite a second end. The vending machine further includes a product release mechanism that includes a gate arranged on the platform and movable from a closed position to an open position to release the product from the platform. A delivery bin having an open front end is arranged below the platform such that when the first gate is moved to the open position, the product falls under a force of gravity from the platform into the delivery bin for access by a consumer.

A vending machine includes a housing defining a product compartment and a front wall having a transparent portion. A platform is arranged within the product compartment of the vending machine for storing a product thereon, and the platform includes a first end opposite a second end. The vending machine further includes a product release mechanism that includes a gate arranged on the platform and movable from a closed position to an open position to release the product from the platform. A delivery bin having an open front end is arranged below the platform such that when the first gate is moved to the open position, the product falls under a force of gravity from the platform into the delivery bin for access by a consumer.

An enhanced service system comprises a pair of first wires between a first position proximal to an entry point of a drive through facility and a second position proximal to a receiving window in the drive through facility, and an aerial host unit coupled to the pair of first wires using a pair of first and second host wires. The aerial host unit is longitudinally movable between the first position and the second position and includes an aerial host member moveably supported by the first and second host wires to move laterally between the pair of first wires to approach an incoming customer vehicle, facilitate the customer to place an order, receive payment from the customer, and direct the customer to the receiving window where the aerial host member retrieves the items corresponding to the placed order from the receiving window and transfers the retrieved items to the customer.

An enhanced service system comprises a pair of first wires between a first position proximal to an entry point of a drive through facility and a second position proximal to a receiving window in the drive through facility, and an aerial host unit coupled to the pair of first wires using a pair of first and second host wires. The aerial host unit is longitudinally movable between the first position and the second position and includes an aerial host member moveably supported by the first and second host wires to move laterally between the pair of first wires to approach an incoming customer vehicle, facilitate the customer to place an order, receive payment from the customer, and direct the customer to the receiving window where the aerial host member retrieves the items corresponding to the placed order from the receiving window and transfers the retrieved items to the customer.

An apparatus for selling cigarettes and a system for accessing cigarettes are described herein. The apparatus comprises a vending machine and a smoke purification system. The smoke purification system includes a housing, an extraction device, a smoke purifier, and an exhaustion device. An upper face of the housing is provided with an air inlet for sucking in air in an upper space of a smoking room, and a front face of the housing is provided with a fresh air outlet. An intake port of the extraction device is coupled with the air inlet, an escape port of the exhaustion device is coupled with the fresh air outlet through an exhaust channel, and two ends of the smoke purifier are coupled with an escape port of the extraction device and an intake port of the exhaustion device, respectively.

An apparatus for selling cigarettes and a system for accessing cigarettes are described herein. The apparatus comprises a vending machine and a smoke purification system. The smoke purification system includes a housing, an extraction device, a smoke purifier, and an exhaustion device. An upper face of the housing is provided with an air inlet for sucking in air in an upper space of a smoking room, and a front face of the housing is provided with a fresh air outlet. An intake port of the extraction device is coupled with the air inlet, an escape port of the exhaustion device is coupled with the fresh air outlet through an exhaust channel, and two ends of the smoke purifier are coupled with an escape port of the extraction device and an intake port of the exhaustion device, respectively.

An apparatus for selling cigarettes and a system for accessing cigarettes are described herein. The apparatus comprises a vending machine and a smoke purification system. The smoke purification system includes a housing, an extraction device, a smoke purifier, and an exhaustion device. An upper face of the housing is provided with an air inlet for sucking in air in an upper space of a smoking room, and a front face of the housing is provided with a fresh air outlet. An intake port of the extraction device is coupled with the air inlet, an escape port of the exhaustion device is coupled with the fresh air outlet through an exhaust channel, and two ends of the smoke purifier are coupled with an escape port of the extraction device and an intake port of the exhaustion device, respectively.

An apparatus for selling cigarettes and a system for accessing cigarettes are described herein. The apparatus comprises a vending machine and a smoke purification system. The smoke purification system includes a housing, an extraction device, a smoke purifier, and an exhaustion device. An upper face of the housing is provided with an air inlet for sucking in air in an upper space of a smoking room, and a front face of the housing is provided with a fresh air outlet. An intake port of the extraction device is coupled with the air inlet, an escape port of the exhaustion device is coupled with the fresh air outlet through an exhaust channel, and two ends of the smoke purifier are coupled with an escape port of the extraction device and an intake port of the exhaustion device, respectively.

Disclosed is a cloud-based resource and information tracking system for medical patients and healthcare providers. The cloud-based software system integrates all or many sources of patient medical and health information, updates the information in near real-time, and makes the data available to member(s) of the patient's healthcare team securely.