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 video camera in proximity to a ticket dispensing machine, a first video stream; transmit the first video stream to an application server for delivery to a user device; receive, from the application server, a dispense command for the ticket dispensing machine; cause the ticket dispensing machine 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 the scratching area in accordance with the scratching command.

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

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 method and device for retrofitting a machine controller to accommodate one or more electronic peripheral devices is disclosed herein. A device with processor(s), memory, a slave interface, and host interface(s) performs as a virtual peripheral by registering itself as a slave to the machine controller coupled with the slave interface and performs as a virtual machine controller by registering peripheral(s) coupled with the host interface(s) as slaves to the device. The device receives a command from the machine controller via the slave interface and, in response to receiving the command: sends an acknowledgement to the machine controller via the slave interface; and relays the command to a respective peripheral via a respective one of the host interface(s), where the device sends signals to and from the machine controller asynchronous of sending signals to and from the peripheral(s).

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: 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: This application discloses a payment module with one or more processors, memory, a short-range wireless transceiver configured to communicate with one or more mobile devices, and a first interface module configured to output to a control unit of the offline payment-operated machine one or more electrical pulses. The payment module receives a wireless request via the short-range wireless transceiver from a respective mobile device of the one or more mobile devices to initiate a cashless operation of the offline-payment operated machine. In response, the payment module causes the offline payment-operated machine to initiate the requested cashless operation by issuing a first number of electrical pulses to the control unit via the first interface module. Further, in response to the wireless request, the payment module sends operation information corresponding to the initiated operation of the offline payment-operated machine to the respective mobile device via the short-range wireless transceiver.

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: 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: System and methods are disclosed for interactions with unattended retail machines (“URMs”) using detectable trigger conditions and limited-scope authorization grants. An exemplary method is performed at a mobile device and includes: receiving, via a communications unit, a broadcasted signal from an electronic payment device coupled with an URM. The broadcasted signal includes a request to authorize funds that are associated with a user of the mobile device for use at the URM. The method further includes: (i) sending the request to a server via the communications unit, (ii) receiving, from the server, an authorization grant (e.g., the grant expires if predetermined criteria are satisfied), and (iii) detecting a trigger condition to initiate a cashless transaction with the URM. In accordance with a determination that the predetermined criteria haven't been satisfied, the method includes: initiating the cashless transaction with the URM by sending the authorization grant to the electronic payment device.

Abstract: A mobile device with a display, processor(s), and memory: displays promotional offers; detects a user input selecting one of the promotional offers; and initiates performance of a transaction with an automatic retail machine to purchase a product stocked by the automatic retail machine. The mobile device also: receives a transaction completion notification from the payment module indicating that the product corresponding to the selected promotional offer was vended by the automatic retail machine; and, in response to receiving the transaction completion notification, provides a prompt to the user of the mobile device to obtain a product code for the vended product to validate the promotional offer. The mobile device further: obtains the product code for the vended product; transmits the product code to the server; and, in response: receives promotion validation information from the server; and displays the promotion validation information indicating whether the respective promotion offer was validated.

Abstract: A payment module with one or more processors, memory, a short-range wireless transceiver (e.g., BLE), and a first interface module configured to couple the payment module with a control unit of an offline-payment operated machine that includes a coin receiving switch. The payment module receives a transaction request via the short-range wireless transceiver from a respective mobile device to perform a transaction with the offline-payment operated machine. In accordance with receiving the request, the payment module causes the offline-payment operated machine to perform the requested transaction by issuing one or more electronic pulses emulating one or more signals issued by the coin receiving switch to perform the transaction to the control unit of the offline-payment operated machine via the first interface module.

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: 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.