Abstract: An electronic communication module broadcasts a first stream of alternating packets by alternating between a plurality of first packets and a plurality of second packets from a transceiver. Each of the first and second packets is associated with a first and second service, respectively, and includes a header with information identifying a first and second device, respectively as its source of transmission. The electronic communication module receives from a first mobile device a request for the first device to perform an operation associated with the first service, and concurrently establishing a connection with the first mobile device and transmitting first packets associated with a response to the first request, while continuing to broadcast second packets indicating presence of the second device, where the first and second packets are transmitted in an alternating pattern.

Abstract: A mobile device presents representations of payment accepting unit events on a display, by identifying a payment accepting unit that is available to accept payment, displaying a visual indication of the payment accepting unit, and accepting user input to receive selection of the payment accepting unit and trigger payment, establishing a wireless communication path including the mobile device and the payment accepting unit, enabling user interaction with the user interface to complete the transaction, exchanging information with the available payment accepting unit via the one or more radio transceivers in conjunction with the transaction, and displaying an updated user interface of the mobile payment application.

Abstract: A method is performed at an electronic payment module with one or more processors, memory, a slave interface that couples the module with an unattended machine via a multi-drop bus (MDB), and one or more host interfaces that couple the module with at least one payment peripheral of the unattended machine. The method also includes: receiving, from a refund center, a request to issue an approved refund of a predetermined amount and one or more criteria that must be satisfied before dispensing the predetermined amount. In accordance with a determination that the one or more criteria are met, the method includes issuing (i) a signal to the unattended machine, via the slave interface, that the at least one payment peripheral is unavailable and (ii) a signal to the at least one payment peripheral, via the one or more host interfaces, to dispense the predetermined amount.

Abstract: A mobile device presents representations of payment accepting unit events on a display, by identifying a payment accepting unit that is available to accept payment, displaying a visual indication of the payment accepting unit, and accepting user input to receive selection of the payment accepting unit and trigger payment, establishing a wireless communication path including the mobile device and the payment accepting unit, enabling user interaction with the user interface to complete the transaction, exchanging information with the available payment accepting unit via the one or more radio transceivers in conjunction with the transaction, and displaying an updated user interface of the mobile payment application.

Abstract: A mobile consumer device with a display, processor(s), and memory: identifies a merchant device in proximity to the consumer device based on broadcasted information transmitted by the first merchant device, the broadcasted information including a first identifier corresponding to the first merchant device; transmits the first identifier to a server and receives from the server an electronic communication including identification and transaction information associated with the merchant; displays the identification information, receives user selection of the merchant identification information; and in response, displays the merchant transaction information, receives supplemental user information, and transmits the supplemental transaction information to the server for completion of the transaction.

Abstract: A system receives, from a server, information about a first set of remotely-configured options for an unattended machine. In response to receiving the information about the first set of remotely-configured options, the system displays user interface objects that allow for selection of respective options in the first set of remotely-configured options. After detecting a selection of a first user interface object, the system receives, from the server, specifications regarding electric pulses to be provided to the unattended machine by a pulse-providing device. After sending an authorization grant and the specifications to the pulse-providing device, the system receives an indication that the electric pulses were provided to the unattended machine according to the specifications.

Abstract: A mobile device with a display, processor(s), and memory: identifies a retail machine configured for wireless communications based on broadcasted information transmitted by the retail machine and including an identifier corresponding to the retail machine; transmits the identifier to a server and receives from the server an electronic communication including a promotional offer for products or services offered by the retail machine; displays the promotional offer; detects selection of a promotional offer; receives a notification from the retail machine that a product or service was provided by the retail machine for a user of the mobile device; transmits confirmation information associated with the notification to the server, receives promotion validation information from the server indicating validation of the promotional offer; and based on the promotion validation information, displays information confirming application of the promotional offer.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a slave interface configured for coupling to a machine controller of a machine via a multi-drop bus (MDB), a host interface configured for coupling to a first peripheral device of the machine, and memory storing one or more programs to be executed by the one or more processors and comprising instructions for: registering the electronic device as a slave to the machine controller, registering the first peripheral device as a slave to the electronic device, receiving from a mobile device a request to access signals generated by the first peripheral device, validating the request, and sending a reset command to the first peripheral device via the host interface, the reset command including a directive to update a signal destination address of the first peripheral device from a controller address of the machine controller to a device address of the electronic device.

Abstract: An electronic dispensing machine receives a request from a server to dispense a controlled device. The request includes a selection identifier corresponding to the controlled device and a user identifier corresponding to a user account. The machine activates a dispensing mechanism ejecting a particular controlled device from a storage position in the machine, and obtains a device identifier corresponding to the controlled device. Prior to releasing the controlled device to the user, the machine links the device identifier with the user identifier, and transmits the user identifier and the linked device identifier to the server, thereby causing the controlled device to be restricted for use such that subsequent to the transmitting of the user identifier and the linked device identifier to the server, the controlled device can only be used when in proximity to the electronic mobile device associated with the user identifier.

Abstract: A system receives, from a server, information about a first set of remotely-configured options for an unattended machine. In response to receiving the information about the first set of remotely-configured options, the system displays user interface objects that allow for selection of respective options in the first set of remotely-configured options. After detecting a selection of a first user interface object, the system receives, from the server, specifications regarding electric pulses to be provided to the unattended machine by a pulse-providing device. After sending an authorization grant and the specifications to the pulse-providing device, the system receives an indication that the electric pulses were provided to the unattended machine according to the specifications.

Abstract: A controlled dispensing system includes a dispensing fixture having or in communication with a display screen, a scanning device communicatively coupled to the dispensing fixture, one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs including instructions for obtaining one or more identifiers of one or more respective controlled products, determining whether the one or more controlled products meet a bulk limit for dispensing, obtaining identification information, determining whether the identification information meets an age threshold and/or an identity requirement associated with the one or more controlled products; and in accordance with a determination that the bulk limit is met, and the age threshold and/or identity requirement is met, transmitting a dispensing instruction to the dispensing fixture to dispense the one or more controlled products.

Abstract: A controlled dispensing fixture including a display screen, a scanning device, and one or more processors is configured to: obtain via the display screen or remote scanner a selection of one or more controlled products; update a user interface on the display screen based on the selection; determine whether the one or more controlled products meet a purchase limit associated with the one or more controlled products for dispensing; obtain via the scanning device consumer identification information; determine whether the consumer identification information meets an age threshold and/or an identity requirement associated with the one or more controlled products; and in accordance with a determination that (i) the one or more controlled products meet the purchase limit for dispensing, and (ii) the consumer identification information meets the age threshold and/or the identity requirement, transmit a dispensing instruction to the dispensing fixture to dispense the one or more controlled products.

Abstract: A controller is configured to obtain first image data from a camera associated with a ticket processing apparatus; transmit the first image data to an application server; receive, from the application server, a dispense command for the ticket processing apparatus; cause the ticket processing apparatus to dispense, based on the dispense command, a ticket having a scratching area; receive a user-provided scratching command from the application server; and cause a robotic scratching device to scratch, or remove an opaque substance from, the scratching area of the ticket in accordance with the user-provided scratching command.

Abstract: A controller is configured to obtain, from a first camera associated with a ticket machine, a first image stream; transmit the first image stream to an application server; receive, from the application server, a first command for the ticket machine; cause the ticket machine to provide, based on the first command, a ticket having a scratching area; receive a user-provided scratching command from the application server; and cause a robotic scratching device to scratch the scratching area in accordance with the scratching command.

Abstract: A controller is configured to obtain first image data from a camera associated with a ticket processing apparatus; transmit the first image data to an application server; receive, from the application server, a dispense command for the ticket processing apparatus; cause the ticket processing apparatus to dispense, based on the dispense command, a ticket having a scratching area; receive a user-provided scratching command from the application server; and cause a robotic scratching device to scratch, or remove an opaque substance from, the scratching area of the ticket in accordance with the user-provided scratching command.

Abstract: After sending a request to a payment module, via a first communication capability (e.g., BLE), to initiate a transaction with a payment accepting unit associated with the payment module, a mobile device with one or more processors, memory, one or output devices, and two or more communication capabilities obtains a notification from the payment module via the first communication capability. The notification indicates an event at the payment accepting unit associated with the payment module. In response to obtaining the notification, mobile device provides a representation of the notification to a user of the mobile device via the one or more output devices of the mobile device. For example, a message is displayed on a display of the mobile device, a vibration alert is produced by a vibration mechanism of the mobile device, an aural alert is produced by a speaker of the mobile device, and/or the like.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for determining electric pulses to provide to an unattended machine based on remotely-configured options. An example method includes: detecting presence of the unattended machine in proximity to the mobile device. After detecting the presence, the method includes: receiving, from a server, information about a first set of remotely-configured options. In response to receiving the information about the first set of remotely-configured options, the method includes: displaying user interface objects that allow for selection of respective options in the first set of remotely-configured options. After detecting a selection of a first user interface object, receiving, from the server, specifications regarding electric pulses to be provided to the unattended machine by a pulse-providing device.

Abstract: A device with one or more processors, memory, and two or more communication capabilities obtains, from a payment module, an authorization request via a first communication capability (e.g., Bluetooth). The device sends, to a server, the authorization request via a second communication capability distinct from the first communication capability (e.g., cellular or WiFi technology). In response to sending the authorization request, the device obtains, from the server, authorization information via the second communication capability. After obtaining the authorization information, the device detects a trigger condition to perform a transaction with a payment accepting unit associated with the payment module. In response to detecting the trigger condition, the device sends, to the payment module, at least a portion of the authorization information via the first communication capability.

Abstract: An offline retail machine comprising a short-range transceiver, one or more processors, and memory performs communications operations via one or more mobile devices. The communications operations include establishing via the short-range transceiver a connection with a first mobile device, and transmitting first information to the first mobile device. Upon not receiving an acknowledgement that the first information was received by a remote server, the offline retail machine maintains the first information in the memory and establishes, via the short-range transceiver, a connection with a second mobile device, appends the first information to second information, and transmits the first and second information to the second mobile device. Upon receiving acknowledgement that the first and second information were received by a remote server, the offline retail machine deletes the first and second information.

Abstract: A mobile consumer device with a display, processor(s), and memory: identifies a merchant device in proximity to the consumer device based on broadcasted information transmitted by the first merchant device, the broadcasted information including a first identifier corresponding to the first merchant device; transmits the first identifier to a server and receives from the server an electronic communication including identification and transaction information associated with the merchant; displays the identification information, receives user selection of the merchant identification information; and in response, displays the merchant transaction information, receives supplemental user information, and transmits the supplemental transaction information to the server for completion of the transaction.