An assembly having an access control device for a gas cylinder, a centralized management system, a gas cylinder and a mobile terminal the access control device having: an electrically controlled lock which is configured to allow the use of the cylinder when in the open position and to restrict the use of the cylinder when in the closed position, an identifier of the access control device comprising a printout or a radio tag, and a control unit configured to control the lock so as to open or close, a first, short-range, radio communication interface. Wherein the centralized management system has a computer configured to determine, on the basis of the identifier of the access control device, an access parameter for the first communication interface.

The present disclosure generally relates to techniques for managing contextual transactions. In some examples, at a sender electronic device, a first user provides authorization to purchase an item for a second user. In some examples, at a recipient device, the second user selects one or more attributes for the item and requests to claim the item. In some examples, an electronic device displays a representation of an item and a purchase affordance for purchasing the item using a payment system that is available on the electronic device.

An equipment rental system comprising a kiosk, the kiosk comprising a user interface configured to receive user input and provide outputs to a user, a processor configured to receive the user input from the user interface, generate user output and control a locker system; and a locker system configured to store the equipment and allow access to the equipment under control of the processor, the processor configured to: receive log in and credential information form a user via the user interface, present the user a choice of equipment, receive a selection of equipment through the user interface, gather payment information from the user through the user interface, wherein the payment information corresponds to a period of use for the selected equipment, and control the locker system to make the selected equipment available to the user.

Systems and methods for converting consumer coins, cash, and/or other forms of value for use with mobile commerce platforms implemented on, for example, smart phones, PDAs, and other mobile devices. In one embodiment, a method for implementing a mobile commerce account on a mobile device includes receiving coins and/or other funds from a user at a consumer-operated kiosk. The method can further include counting the coins and/or other funds to determine a value, and then communicating at least a portion of the value from the kiosk to the hand-held mobile device for deposit in the mobile commerce account.

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.

Connector carriers (e.g., connector carousels) for use with electronic device processing kiosks, such as mobile phone recycling kiosks, are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a connector carrier includes a chassis and a plurality of electrical connectors fixedly positioned around a periphery of the chassis. In operation, the connector carrier is configured to rotate about a central axis to position a selected one of the electrical connectors in a first position adjacent to an inspection area of the kiosk, and then move toward the inspection area to move the selected electrical connector from the first position to a second position in which a user can connect a mobile phone to the electrical connector.

A recycling kiosk for vaping devices includes a digital link for accessing digital data from a vaping device; at least two storing compartments for storing of vaping devices of different conditions; wherein the recycling kiosk is arranged to store vaping devices in the respective storing compartment based on the digital data accessed from the vaping device. A method for accepting a vaping device by a recycling kiosk is also provided.

Systems and methods of authenticating voice data using a ledger (blockchain). Examples include a scalable and seamless system that uses blockchain technologies to distribute trust of a conversation, authenticate persons in a conversation, track their characteristics and also to keep records of conversations. In some examples, smart phones, wearables, and Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices can be used to record and track conversations between individuals. These devices can each be used to create entries for the blockchain or a single device could be used to keep track of the entirety of the conversation. Fuzzy hashing may be used to compare newly created entries with previous entries on the ledger.

A system for cashless payment of goods or services is provided which includes at least one payment unit disposed in at least one automat or machine, having at least one transmitting/receiving unit for short range communication; a processing unit; and a memory, wherein the automat or machine is connected to one or more other automats or machines via a short range communication means, at least one mobile device also having a transmitting/receiving device for both short range communication and long range communication, a processing unit and a memory. Many other detailed configurations, functionalities, systems, processes and alternatives thereto are also disclosed.

A system and method for a vending machine is provided. One embodiment has a user interface configured to receive a plurality of user selections of a plurality of food products of interest from the user; a robotic system configured to transport a container to a plurality of food tanks to receive food products dispensed from selected ones of the plurality of food tanks, wherein a unique machine readable code is printed on an outside surface of at least one of the container and a container seal; and a scanner configured to scan the machine readable code. Wherein prior to delivery of the container with the machine readable code, the controller system controls the robotic system so that the scanner acquires the machine readable code, and wherein the controller system associates at least food product information with the received machine readable code information.