A pill dispensing system and associated methods are configured for managing the distribution of pills to a patient. In at least one embodiment, an at least one tamper-proof pill storage container provides an at least one pill magazine positioned within a housing of the pill storage container and configured for storing and selectively dispensing a plurality of pills through a pill outlet provided by the housing. A patient application, residing in memory on an at least one patient device under the control of the patient, is in selective communication with the at least one pill storage container. An at least one monitoring device is in selective communication with the patient application, the at least one monitoring device configured for assisting the patient application with monitoring an at least one vital of the patient.

Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture to identify an episode number based on fingerprint and matched viewing information are disclosed. An example method includes processing meter data to identify a presented media based on a bumper included in a media, filtering the meter data based on the identification of the media, selecting a candidate episode, the candidate episode not associated with a known episode label, determining whether the candidate episode appears sequentially after a known episode for a threshold number of presentation locations, and labeling the candidate episode as the next sequential episode after the known episode in response to determining that the candidate episode appears sequentially after the known episode for the threshold number of presentation locations.

A method and system for encouraging the selection of healthy products with a vending machine are provided. The method includes providing a vending machine that displays an inventory of products. Each product of the inventory of products includes a dispensing countdown time displayed on the vending machine. The method also includes receiving a first customer selection of a first product from the inventory of products, where the first product has a first dispensing countdown time. Additionally, the method includes actuating a countdown timer to count down to zero seconds from the first dispensing countdown time. The method also includes dispensing the first product once the countdown timer reaches zero seconds. The first product is only dispensed if a customer does not select a second product having a second dispensing countdown time before the first dispensing countdown time counts down to zero seconds.

A pill dispensing system and associated methods are configured for managing the distribution of pills to a patient. In at least one embodiment, an at least one tamper-proof pill storage container provides an at least one pill magazine positioned within a housing of the pill storage container and configured for storing and selectively dispensing a plurality of pills through a pill outlet provided by the housing. A patient application, residing in memory on an at least one patient device under the control of the patient, is in selective communication with the at least one pill storage container. An at least one monitoring device is in selective communication with the patient application, the at least one monitoring device configured for assisting the patient application with monitoring an at least one vital of the patient.

A computer-implemented system and method for providing multi-locational curbside valet parking service is provided. A multiplicity of motor vehicle parking spaces are managed by a server. A plurality of smart parking devices and vehicle occupancy sensors are interfaced with the server. Use of a plurality of the parking spaces is reserved for a valet service. A reservation request for the use of the plurality of the parking spaces is accepted for use by the valet service for a period of time. Occupancy of the reserved parking spaces by a motor vehicle is sensed through the vehicle occupancy sensor. A valet drop-off location of at least one of the parking spaces that is reserved for the use of the valet service and is not occupied by a motor vehicle is identified. The valet drop-off location and a location of a lock box are provided to the motorist through a user interface.

A computer-implemented system and method for offering merchant and shopper-friendly parking reservations through tourist privileges is provided. A tourist identification card is issued to a tourist via an agency and is associated with one or more parking privileges. A presence of a motor vehicle in at least one parking space is identified and the tourist identification card is received via a smart parking meter that is associated with the parking space. The received tourist identification card is authenticated and parking privileges are provided upon the authentication of the received tourist identification card for the parking space. The parking privileges include one or more of extending parking limits, reserving tourist spaces, and reducing parking rates. An indicator for an unavailable status is displayed for the parking space.

A computer-implemented system and method for offering merchant and shopper-friendly parking reservations through tourist privileges is provided. Motor vehicle parking spaces located in a tourist area of an urban environment are managed through a server. Smart parking devices and vehicle occupancy sensors are each proximate to at least one of the parking spaces. Tourist parking identification cards are issued to an agency authorized to provide tourist parking privileges, which are then provided to the visitors. The parking identification cards are activated by pairing each identification card with a digital ticket issued to the agency. The parking spaces are managed by sensing occupancy of one of the parking spaces by a motor vehicle through the nearest vehicle occupancy sensor and by determining an identity of the driver of the motor vehicle through the nearest smart parking device.

A pill dispensing system and associated methods are configured for managing the distribution of pills to a patient. In at least one embodiment, an at least one tamper-proof pill storage container provides an at least one pill magazine positioned within a housing of the pill storage container and configured for storing and selectively dispensing a plurality of pills through a pill outlet provided by the housing. A patient application, residing in memory on an at least one patient device under the control of the patient, is in selective communication with the at least one pill storage container. An at least one monitoring device is in selective communication with the patient application, the at least one monitoring device configured for assisting the patient application with monitoring an at least one vital of the patient.

Storage operation requests from any device of a computing environment can be numerous and frequent. In particular, if there is a high frequency initiation of storage operation requests to store, retrieve, or modify data, then targeted storage systems have to easily and quickly decide in which order to satisfy the storage operation requests, such as when two requests occur to retrieve identical data. Storage operation requests can be prioritized at the end device instead of any intermediary device or enabling a complex ordering algorithm. Moreover, the storage on a cloud model consists of similar storage services which serve consumers of different needs. Some applications/users can afford longer service time than other applications/users. Differentiation in required service time allows price differentiation. The solution will serve premium customers faster than it serves customers who paid less.

A parking meter assembly (10) including a base (11) that is to be fixed to or embedded in a ground surface, typically adjacent the curb that which a car is to be parked. The assembly (10) also includes a parking meter (13) having a front face (17) that includes a coin slot (25) a card slot (20) and a control panel (21). The parking meter (13) further includes a rear face (27) having a window aperture (28) that provides for the transmission of light to a solar panel (29) behind the aperture (28).