An economic self-service terminal with simple but high safety features is described here.

Disclosed are systems and methods for protecting an escrow clutch of a self-service terminal. The systems and methods may include actuating a motor of the self-service terminal to cause an escrow clutch of the self-service terminal to spin at a rate. As the clutch spins, a determination as to when a clutch slippage exceeds a preset slippage rate may be made. When the clutch slippage exceeds the preset slippage rate, the motor may be actuated to cause the escrow clutch to spin at a second rate. The second rate may less than the first rate.

A vending machine system for exchanging CO.sub.2 gas cylinders, the system including a controller in communication with a user interface, a payment system and an array of bin assemblies, wherein each one of the bin assemblies is shaped to at least partially receive an end of a CO.sub.2 gas cylinder and includes a locking system for releasably securing therein a CO.sub.2 gas cylinder, said system for performing the steps of (a) receiving user input through the user interface; and (b) if the user input represents a desire to exchange a CO.sub.2 gas cylinder, then the system performs the steps of (i) receiving payment from the user through the payment system for a replacement CO.sub.2 gas cylinder; (ii) receiving a CO.sub.2 gas cylinder in a first one of said bin assemblies; and (iii) the locking system releasing a full CO.sub.2 gas cylinder located in a second one of said bin assemblies for collection by the user.

A vending machine system for exchanging CO.sub.2 gas cylinders, the system including a controller in communication with a user interface, a payment system and an array of bin assemblies, wherein each one of the bin assemblies is shaped to at least partially receive an end of a CO.sub.2 gas cylinder and includes a locking system for releasably securing therein a CO.sub.2 gas cylinder, said system for performing the steps of (a) receiving user input through the user interface; and (b) if the user input represents a desire to exchange a CO.sub.2 gas cylinder, then the system performs the steps of (i) receiving payment from the user through the payment system for a replacement CO.sub.2 gas cylinder; (ii) receiving a CO.sub.2 gas cylinder in a first one of said bin assemblies; and (iii) the locking system releasing a full CO.sub.2 gas cylinder located in a second one of said bin assemblies for collection by the user.

A system for automatic filling of medication organizers comprises i) a storage unit for medication containers that is accessible from a first side thereof ii) a plurality of medication organizer filling units, each having a temporary storage rack that is accessible from a side of the medication filling units that faces the storage unit, and iii) a container handling system that is positioned between the storage unit and the temporary storage racks and that is movable between the storage unit and each of the temporary storage racks for transferring selected medication containers therebetween. The system allows minimizing idle times by moving medication containers between the storage unit and temporary storage racks simultaneously to the filling process.

A cigarette vending machine that dispenses a single cigarette at a time. The cigarette vending machine includes a touchscreen that allows a user to select a particular brand of cigarettes. In addition, the vending machine includes a camera and an identification reader so that the user's age can be verified, and so that the user can be verified to be the same person as the identification holder.

A fully autonomous delivery station, including a management unit for receiving orders for goods, and a housing including one or more storage devices containing goods to be delivered, a moving collector moving between the one or more storage devices for collecting the goods, and kiosk used by a user of the delivery station for receiving the goods outside the housing.

A combined cabinet is formed by assembling single cabinets. Every two adjacent single cabinets can be communicated with each other by means of a first port, and goods in each single cabinet can enter an adjacent single cabinet by means of the first port. The combined cabinet is further provided with a storage board, a drive element, an automatic door, and an adjustment board in each single cabinet. The drive element is used for pushing the goods to leave the storage board, the adjustment board is used for guiding the goods, and the automatic door is used for opening or closing the first port. The combined cabinet can be designed to be fan-shaped, spherical, crushed stone-like, stacked, corner-like, etc.

A method to optimize operation of a parcel terminal having a mast and a loader attached thereto, the mast being configured to move horizontally within the parcel terminal and the loader being configured to move vertically within the parcel terminal and the method comprises synchronizing by using a computing device, a horizontal movement of the mast and a vertical movement of the loader based on the calculated horizontal travel time and the calculated vertical travel time. The method enables longer lifetime of participating components as well as longer service intervals of the terminal.

A method to optimize operation of a parcel terminal having a mast and a loader attached thereto, the mast being configured to move horizontally within the parcel terminal and the loader being configured to move vertically within the parcel terminal and the method comprises synchronizing by using a computing device, a horizontal movement of the mast and a vertical movement of the loader based on the calculated horizontal travel time and the calculated vertical travel time. The method enables longer lifetime of participating components as well as longer service intervals of the terminal.