An automated meal preparation system can include food storage matrix(es) with chute(s), food storage cartridge(s), mechanical cartridge dispenser(s), basket(s), manipulator(s), actuator(s), conveyer(s), buffer queue(s), gripper(s), catapult arm(s), cooking receptacle(s), and processor(s). A manipulator can move a basket to a chute where an actuator actuates a mechanical cartridge dispenser to pass a cartridge into the basket. The manipulator can move the cartridge to the conveyer, which moves the cartridge to a buffer queue at a conveyer gate. A gripper at the buffer queue can accept the cartridge and move it to an unpacking position where a catapult arm operates with the gripper to separate a cartridge lid from a cartridge container. The catapult arm can rotate the cartridge to empty its food into a cooking receptacle that spins while cooking the food. Processor(s) can control the motions of the manipulator, conveyer, gripper, catapult arm, and cooking receptacle.

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a modular photo kiosk system that produces prints that include printed templates, guides, and instructions for use with matching designated user provided photo. The systems are configurable so that they can be easily combined to adapt the kiosk system to meet the productivity, capacity, product range, inventory control, and physical conditions of a selected retail environment. The kiosk can include remote access for customers and kiosk owners to place remote orders and manage kiosk inventory and further include a secured product display area featuring photo products for sale. A further aspect of the technology described herein comprises a software application for use by clerks for monitoring, maintaining, and operating the photo kiosk system.

A consumer-operated kiosk can include an inspection area configured to receive a first device from a user. The kiosk can include an imaging device configured to image the first device when the first device is positioned within the inspection area. In some embodiments, the kiosk includes a vending apparatus configured to store a plurality of second electronic devices for purchase. The kiosk can include one or more release mechanisms configured to directly release any one of the second electronic devices from the vending apparatus. The kiosk includes one or more processors operably connected to the inspection area, the imaging device, the vending apparatus, and the one or more release mechanisms. The one or more processors can be configured to cause the imaging device to capture one or more images of the first electronic device, facilitate purchase of the first electronic device based at least in part on the one or more captured images of the first electronic device, receive a request to vend a selected phone from among the phones in the vending apparatus, and/or cause the one or more release mechanisms to release the selected phone directly from the vending apparatus into a vending bay of the kiosk.

The cleaner assembly is configured for cleaning an automated dispensing device is described herein. The cleaner assembly includes a pallet; a plurality of side walls enclosing an inner chamber; a blower configured to propel contaminants into said inner chamber; and at least one roller operably supported by and projecting above at least one of said side walls, said at least one roller being configured to scrape contaminants off of a base plate of the automated dispensing device and towards said blower.

The present application provides a merchandiser for dispensing a number of products. The merchandiser may include an ambient compartment with a number of ambient product columns with a number of ambient products therein, an X-Y drive device positioned beneath the ambient compartment, and a temperature controlled compartment positioned beneath the X-Y drive device, the temperature controlled compartment including a number of temperature controlled product columns with a number of temperature controlled products therein. The X-Y drive device receives an ambient product from one of the ambient product columns of the ambient compartment and delivers the ambient product to one of the temperature controlled product columns of the temperature controlled compartment.

Provided are a vending machine and a merchandise dispensing method thereof. A merchandise dispensing method comprising: driving the gate to move from a closed position to an open position and driving the receiving bin to rotate from a receiving position to a dispensing position in the case where a bucket containing the commodity for sale is located at a pickup port; when a baffle is inserted into the pickup port, the baffle and the gate move simultaneously, and the spacing between them is always less than or equal to a first preset value.

A mobile self-vending beverage dispenser is disclosed. In embodiments, the dispenser includes a mobile housing divided into segmented sections. Each segmented section includes an outlet at the bottom for dispensing canned beverages and an access hatch for loading canned beverages into the segmented section. Each segmented section includes a vertical staggered raceway extending from the access hatch the outlet via which the segmented section is loaded with canned beverages, the cans traveling in a gravity-assisted path downward to the outlet for dispensing upon request.

This application relates to the technical field of automatic vending, and provides a vending machine that includes a control device, a measuring device, a bucket, a bucket driving mechanism configured for driving the bucket into motion, and a storage column configured to store items. The control device controls the measuring device to measure a first distance and a second distance, calculates a difference between the first distance and the second distance, and calculates a number of items in the storage column based on the difference.

A system for ensuring insurance and payment processing using biometrics maintains biometric data associated with identity information for people in order to identify the people and/or make assertions about the people using the identity information to one or more devices. For example, the system may be an identity system that identifies and/or makes assertions about people to one or more medical service provider system devices. The system may obtain, determine, update, and/or provide insurance information for one or more people in the identity information. The system may use this insurance information to facilitate billing for provided medical services.

The cleaner assembly is configured for cleaning an automated dispensing device is described herein. The cleaner assembly includes a pallet; a plurality of side walls enclosing an inner chamber; a blower configured to propel contaminants into said inner chamber; and at least one roller operably supported by and projecting above at least one of said side walls, said at least one roller being configured to scrape contaminants off of a base plate of the automated dispensing device and towards said blower.