Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method of utilizing a vending machine to make a charitable donation. A vending machine offering product/service for sale and a donation transaction for selection by the user. Payment of the donation amount is received at the vending machine and transmitted to the charitable organization.

Abstract: A system enables management of dispensable units by supporting functions such as retrieval, scheduled distribution, analysis, and notifications. To this end, a dispensable retrieval mechanism may be programmed to carry out blind retrievals of dispensable units using a retrieval strategy with a predetermined sequence of retrieval attempts (e.g., fixed or varying two-dimensional retrieval patterns), which may be open loop or closed loop. Techniques may also include the identification of dispensable units through optical sensors and weight measurement devices that can detect, e.g., a texture, a shape, and a size of dispensable units. Such identification can be used to program retrieval attempts by a retrieval robot and in the formulation of the retrieval pattern. Additionally, networked notification systems for dispensable units can be used for updating rules or schedules related to the dispensable units, or alerting users and remote resources of any potential misuse or hazards of the dispensable units.

Abstract: A vending machine, in communication with a remote station, delivers a labeled container to a user from storage holding containers of different sizes and shapes and containing different products such as medicaments. A control system is operable to select a specific unlabeled container from among the other containers in storage, and to move the selected unlabeled container to a labeling module where a label is applied after the position of the label and/or the selected unlabeled container are/is adjusted so as to result in the label being applied at a desired position and angular orientation with respect to the selected unlabeled container. The control system is further operable to move the labeled container to a delivery zone accessible to the user.

Abstract: An automatic product dispensing machine comprises: a frame (2) delimiting at least a housing chamber (3); a magazine (4) arranged internally of the housing chamber (3), for containing a series of products (5); at least a display (8) interposed between the housing chamber (3) and the external environment; a control unit (9) active on the display (8) and configured such as to enable visualizing images and/or information. The control unit (9) is further configured such as to switch the display (8) between at least two of the following three operative conditions: a visualizing condition, in which it reproduces at least a datum and/or image that is externally visible, a condition of transparency, in which at least a product (5) contained in the magazine (4) is viewable via the display (8) and a superposing condition, in which at least a product (5) is viewable via the display (8) and at least a datum and/or image and/or film relating to the product is reproduced on the display.

Abstract: An electromechanical latch and ejector to selectively unlatch and eject an object.

Abstract: Item-management systems, apparatus, and methods are described, preferably for management of items such as medicaments. In embodiments, an item-management system comprises a container defining plural cells, a docking station configured to receive the container, sources of visible information to indicate the cell(s) into which an item is to be loaded, and at least one controller operable to control the visible information sources to indicate the cell into which the item is to be received.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for obtaining information from a medication package. In the method, an image of the medication package is provided, the image is analyzed to determine positions and formats of patterns in the image, a layout, which has similar pattern formats in the same positions as the image, is selected from a set of layouts stored in the medication dispenser, the selected layout defining the type of information for each pattern in the image, and the information contained in at least one of the patterns of the image is interpreted by linking the content of the pattern to the type of information defined in the selected layout. The invention also relates to a medication dispenser.

Abstract: A computer-implemented kiosk for making a personalized nameplate includes a transaction device to receive payment for the personalized nameplate to be made, and a controller is coupled to the transaction device and operates in response to the received payment. The controller includes a memory for storing at least one animated character set. An input device is coupled to the controller to be operated by a user to enter a name as it is to appear on the personalized nameplate, and a display is coupled to the controller to display the entered name using the at least one animated character set. A printer is coupled to the controller for printing the personalized nameplate with the entered name using the at least one animated character set.

Abstract: A vending machine comprises a robotic arm and a pick mechanism that is coupled to the robotic arm. The pick mechanism is configured to retrieve a vendible product in the vending machine, and the robotic arm is configured to locate the pick mechanism at a location with a x-y coordinate that corresponds to the vendible product. The pick mechanism comprises a first roller, a second roller, and a belt that mechanically links the first and second rollers by forming a loop around the first and second rollers. The belt has a first portion and a second portion on opposing sides of the loop, and the second portion of the belt is coupled to the robotic arm. The pick mechanism further comprises a motor that is configured to rotate the first roller in order to translate the first and second portions of the belt in opposite directions to each other. The pick mechanism further comprises a picker arm extending in the z direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing solid articles includes a manifold assembly. The manifold assembly includes a manifold and a door assembly. The manifold has a plenum and an inlet port in fluid communication with the plenum. The door assembly includes a door panel and a shield. The door panel is selectively moveable between a closed position, wherein the door panel restricts airflow through the inlet port, and an open position, wherein the door panel permits airflow through the inlet port. The shield defines a pocket to receive the door panel in the open position and thereby reduce or restrict flow of air behind the door panel.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method, device, and non-transitory machine-readable storage medium encoded with instructions for execution by a user device, the medium comprising: instructions for displaying an indication of an incoming request to establish a communication session with a patient operating a medication dispenser; instructions for establishing a two-way communication session with the patient via the medication dispenser based on a physician user of the user device approving the incoming request; instructions for displaying a dispense user interface (UI) element during the two-way communication session; instructions for receiving a selection of the dispense UI element from the physician user; and instructions for transmitting, based on the selection, a command for the medication dispenser to dispense a medication to the patient.

Abstract: A control system and method are provided for a station to dispense fuel to a vehicle, including an electric vehicle, without requiring dedicated access to a communications network, with the advantage that authorization for fleet vehicles or individuals can be obtained from an access management system, using a portable, wireless device, such as a smart phone or a dashboard appliance. The authorization is wirelessly relayed to the station by the wireless device, to enable the dispensing of fuel. Subsequently, a log comprising the transaction is provided to the access management system, through the same or a different wireless, mobile computing device. The log may also report status and other events, such as load shedding.

Abstract: An automated vending or merchandizing machine includes an elevator sub-assembly which moves a dispensing bin or elevator tray vertically along the fronts of plural vertical levels of product dispensers in the vending machine. A controller tracks the vertical position of the elevator tray. This allows the controller to send the elevator tray to the vertical level of the dispenser of the product selected by a customer, at that level receive and confirm dispensing of the selected product into the elevator tray, and return the elevator tray holding the dispensed product down to a customer delivery or access door or opening in the vending machine that can below the vertical levels of dispensers. Features can include coordination of locking and unlocking of a customer access door and actuating an anti-cheat security baffle with the position of the elevator tray.

Abstract: A medication-tracking device includes: a storage mechanism adapted to securely store a plurality of doses of a medication; a dose distribution mechanism adapted to dispense a dose of the medication; a time identification mechanism adapted to identify the time for which the dose distribution mechanism dispenses a dose of the medication; an absolute location identification mechanism adapted to identify the absolute location at which the dose distribution mechanism dispenses a dose of the medication; and a communication mechanism adapted to report the time and absolute location information identified by the time and absolute location identification mechanisms. A medication-tracking system may include a medication tracking device, an associated device, and a central system, wherein the central system collects and analyzes the data.

Abstract: An automated retail system according to embodiments of the present invention includes a front and/or rear product rack, each rack having a plurality of bins, each of which has a product door, the system further including a basket moveable along an x-y plane on a rail system to selectively open a product door of a product bin to permit the product within the bin to fall into the basket, the basket movable to a product delivery position to release the product from the basket. Such a system may include sensors and/or scanners to determine contents of each bin, such that any product may be placed in any bin, and inventory of each bin or all bins may be determined at any time. The basket may be configured to move in x and y but not z directions, and may also serve as the sole actuation mechanism for opening the doors.

Abstract: A container denester apparatus which overcomes, among other problems, the problems identified above. The denester apparatus positively controls the flanges of the container so as to individually denest a lowermost container from a stack of containers. The apparatus protects the container by spreading the force required to denest the container along much of the flange structure. In addition, the stack of containers above the lowermost container are retained, again along much of the flange structure of the immediately adjacent container.

Abstract: A preparation task for medicine, which must be manually prepared in advance, is efficiently performed without error. A medicine supply device includes: a medicine supply means having a plurality of medicine receiving portions, the medicine supply means being configured to receive a medicine per a dosing time and appropriately discharge the received medicine; a display means including a plurality of display portions, the display portions being provided in association with the medicine receiving portions respectively; and a display control means configured to allow the display portion of the medicine receiving portion, which receives a corresponding medicine among the medicine receiving portions, to operate based on a prescription data. The display portion of the display means is configured to display a number corresponding to the dosing time of each medicine included in the prescription data.

Abstract: A portable medication dispensing system is described. In some embodiments, the system includes a portable medication tote comprising a securable compartment configured to hold medication, and a controller, responsive to access information, configured to assign a patient to the securable compartment such that medications for the patient are authorized for placement into the securable compartment. The controller is also configured to selectively permit a user access to the medications for the patient in the securable compartment when the access information indicates the user has access to the securable compartment, and restrict access to retrieval of the medications for the patient in the securable compartment when the access information indicates the user does not have access to the securable compartment. The system also includes an information output module configured to output usage information regarding access to the securable compartment.

Abstract: An electronic storage device is coupled with a container capable of holding liquid for electronically storing information relating to the liquid stored in the container. The system can be configured with an antenna, for storing information to and reading information from the electronic storage device. A microprocessor-based controller, coupled with the antenna, may be employed for controlling processing of the liquid based on information read from the electronic storage device by the antenna. A connector of a secure reader system having a reader is provided to physically couple to a container having an information storing mechanism, for periodically reading information from an information storing mechanism. The connector may draw material from the container simultaneous with the reading.

Abstract: A system for singly dispensing fibrous coffee filters from bulk includes a grasping tool having a handle with a working end and a container with an edge trim member for preventing bulk fibrous filters from passing freely through the opening in the container. The edge trim member comprises interlocking parts and has a planer platform for rotating the trim member relative to the container. The planer platform has a cutout extending therethrough. The handle of the grasping tool is configured to be releasably secured to the platform. The system accommodates large and small cup- and cone-style filters and may be built-in to a coffee brewing machine.