Abstract: Embodiments of the invention can include systems and methods for consumer-dispenser interactions. In one embodiment, a product dispenser is provided. The product dispenser can include a user interface operable to interact with a consumer and receive at least one input from the consumer. The product dispenser can also include a controller comprising a set of instructions operable to receive a request from a consumer to dispense a custom product. In addition, the controller can further comprise a set of instructions operable to present via the user interface a at least one of a list of selectable product ingredients or adjustable product formulation parameters. Moreover, the controller can further comprise a set of instructions operable to dispense a product based at least in part on one or more of the selectable ingredients or selected formulation parameters.

Abstract: A method for managing orders and dispensing products into a container. The method may include the steps of prompting a user selection of a product type at an order entry station, printing indicia on the container indicating at least the product type selected, reading the indicia at a product dispensing station, and dispensing the product type selected into the container.

Abstract: A method of configuring a production line to mass customize shaped vessels includes receiving a plurality of consumer or event data. Further, the method includes configuring a plurality of vessel forming stations based in part on the received consumer or event data. Once the vessel forming stations are configured, a plurality of vessels are shaped by indexing the plurality of vessels through the vessel forming stations. The shaping operation can include shaping by contouring a length of each of the plurality of vessels, selecting a decoration style to be applied to the plurality of vessels based in part on the consumer or event data, and configuring a top-forming station based in part on the consumer or event data.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention can include systems and methods for consumer-dispenser interactions. In one embodiment, a product dispenser is provided. The product dispenser can include a user interface operable to interact with a consumer and receive at least one input from the consumer. The product dispenser can also include a controller comprising a set of instructions operable to receive a request from a consumer to dispense a custom product. In addition, the controller can further comprise a set of instructions operable to present via the user interface a at least one of a list of selectable product ingredients or adjustable product formulation parameters. Moreover, the controller can further comprise a set of instructions operable to dispense a product based at least in part on one or more of the selectable ingredients or selected formulation parameters.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention can provide systems and methods for electronic transaction auditing and accountability. In one embodiment, a method of providing electronic transaction auditing can be implemented. The method can include determining at least one unique identifier associated with a respective transaction. The method can also include communicating the at least one unique identifier to a destination server. In addition, the method can include receiving data associated with an electronic transaction and at least one unique identifier corresponding to the unique identifier previously communicated to the destination server and associated with the respective transaction.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a method of remotely managing a vessel forming production line, the method comprising communicating from a remote data processing resource a plurality of consumer or event data to a controller, the controller controls a plurality of vessel forming stations having a plurality of shape forming operations and a plurality of non-shape forming operations, configuring each of the plurality of shape forming operations and the plurality of non-shape forming operations based in part on the plurality of consumer or event data to manufacture the shaped vessel, and manufacturing the shaped vessel. Other embodiments include completing a sales transaction resulting in generation of the plurality of consumer or event data, generating the plurality of consumer or event data based in part on the current status of an event, and decorating the shaped vessel based in part on the plurality of consumer or event data.

Abstract: A system and method of forming a vessel may include providing multiple operation wheels configured in opposing facing pairs. Each operation wheel may include multiple work zones, each work zone of an operation wheel being configured in an opposing facing pair with a work zone of another operation wheel to engage the vessel and perform a forming operation on the vessel. Opposing facing pairs of the operation wheels may be linearly pushed to a closed position to engage the vessel, and pulled to an open position. The work zone(s) may perform least one forming operation on the vessel. The vessel may be indexed through the operations at a rotational timing coordinated to index the vessel when opposing facing pairs of the operation wheels are in the open position, the indexing may be clockwise or counterclockwise based on whether a decoration operation is to be performed on the vessel.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention can include systems and methods for facilitating consumer-dispenser interactions. In one embodiment, a product dispenser is provided. The product dispenser can include a reader configured to read machine readable item. In addition, the product dispenser can include a controller in communication with the reader, and operable to execute a set of instructions to receive information from the machine readable item associated with a consumer via the reader. Moreover, the controller can be further operable to execute a set of instructions to configure at least one characteristic based at least part on the information from the machine readable item, and dispense a product.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention can include systems and methods for dispensing consumable products. One embodiment of the invention can provide a product dispenser. The product dispenser can include an ingredient matrix operable to receive a plurality of product ingredients. In addition, the product dispenser can include a controller in communication with the ingredient matrix, and operable to execute a set of instructions to receive product data associated with the plurality of product ingredients. Moreover, the controller can further comprise a set of instructions to track usage of the plurality of product ingredients when at least one product is dispensed. Furthermore, the controller can further comprise a set of instructions to update the product data during or after dispensing of a product or installation of one or more product ingredients in the ingredient matrix.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention can include systems and methods for dispensing consumable products. In one embodiment, a system comprising a product dispenser and processor can be provided. The processor can be operable to execute a set of instructions operable to receive a consumer preference to receive a notification associated with a product. The set of instructions can be further operable to determine whether the product is being offered, and based at least in part on the consumer preference, notify the consumer regarding availability of the product from the product dispenser.

Abstract: A method for managing orders and dispensing products into a container. The method may include the steps of prompting a user selection of a product type at an order entry station, printing indicia on the container indicating at least the product type selected, reading the indicia at a product dispensing station, and dispensing the product type selected into the container.

Abstract: A product dispenser for use with a container. The product dispenser may include a container motion detector to detect the container in motion, a graphical user interface, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor receives a plurality of data associated with the container in motion from the container motion detector and implements instructions that perform the steps of determining the motion of the container, enabling a user to interact with the graphical user interface, and allowing the user to rotate or move the container to select a product type from the graphical user interface.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention can include systems and methods for facilitating consumer-dispenser interactions. In one embodiment, a product dispenser is provided. The product dispenser can include a reader configured to read a machine readable item. In addition, the product dispenser can include a controller in communication with the reader, and operable to execute a set of instructions to receive information from the machine readable item associated with a consumer via the reader. Moreover, the controller can be further operable to execute a set of instructions to configure at least one characteristic based at least in part on the information from the machine readable item, and dispense a product.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention can include systems and methods for dispensing consumable products. One embodiment of the invention can provide a product dispenser. The product dispenser can include an ingredient matrix operable to receive a plurality of product ingredients. In addition, the product dispenser can include a controller in communication with the ingredient matrix, and operable to execute a set of instructions to receive product data associated with the plurality of product ingredients. Moreover, the controller can further comprise a set of instructions to track usage of the plurality of product ingredients when at least one product is dispensed. Furthermore, the controller can further comprise a set of instructions to update the product data during or after dispensing of a product or installation of one or more product ingredients in the ingredient matrix.

Abstract: A method of rewarding loyalty of a user may include providing a personal terminal to the user, detecting whether the personal terminal is within proximity of an interaction terminal, and based at least in part on the proximity of the personal terminal to the interaction terminal, providing a benefit to the user.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention can include systems and methods for dispensing consumable products. In one embodiment, a system comprising a product dispenser and processor can be provided. The processor can be operable to execute a set of instructions operable to receive a consumer preference to receive a notification associated with a product. The set of instructions can be further operable to determine whether the product is being offered, and based at least in part on the consumer preference, notify the consumer regarding availability of the product from the product dispenser.

Abstract: A method for managing orders and dispensing products into a container. The method may include the steps of prompting a user selection of a product type at an order entry station, printing indicia on the container indicating at least the product type selected, reading the indicia at a product dispensing station, and dispensing the product type selected into the container.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a server includes a memory device and a processor configured to execute a set of instructions to communicate with a property management system, wherein the server receives transaction data from the property management system, the transaction data associated with a transaction and comprising a transaction type or a transaction class. The processor may inspect each transaction type or transaction class, compare each transaction type or transaction class to one or more allowed transaction types or transaction classes, and communicate approval of the respective transaction when the transaction type or transaction class has been previously approved to perform with the property management system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention can include systems and methods for dispensing consumable products. In one embodiment, a product dispenser is provided. The product dispenser can include a user interface operable to receive consumer inputs and to present product selection information. In addition, the product dispenser can include a reader configured to obtain identification information associated with a consumer. The product dispenser can include a controller in communication with the reader and user interface, and operable to execute a set of instructions to receive from the reader identification information associated with a consumer. The controller can also be operable to execute a set of instructions operable to retrieve consumer information based at least in part on the identification information, and provide product selection information at the user interface based at least in part on the consumer information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method which effectuates an interactive interface and protocol for interfacing a payment module (system 500) to and data communicating with a computing platform (computing platform 802), wherein the computing platform can elect to control by way of the interactive interface and protocol a vending transaction cycle or alternatively elect to monitor the payment module by way of the interactive interface and protocol allowing the payment module to control a vending transaction cycle.