Abstract: A system facilitating payment for fuel dispensing includes a fuel dispenser associated with a current-loop-to-ethernet converter for receiving serial data from a fuel dispenser controller and converting said serial data to an ethernet signal and a network appliance coupled the current-loop-to-ethernet converter by an ethernet port. A virtual payment facilitator is connected to the network appliance over a VPN and to a payment authorization entity, also over a VPN. A process performed by the system includes receiving a fueling request at the virtual payment facilitator from the payment authorization entity and converting that request into a command issued to the fuel dispenser to dispense fuel.

Abstract: A medication container for validating self-administration of prescription medication by a patient wherein the prescription medication is administered over a series of timed dosages. A machine-readable optical code label such as a QR Code is affixed to an interior surface of a medication container containing the medication such as the interior of the bottle cap. The container must be open to electronically read the optical code label. The label contains data associated with the medication and is read by a software application installed on a smartphone. The software receives the label-embedded data and a timestamp to validate the patient is self-administering the medication consistent with the series of timed dosages.

Abstract: The present invention deals with an intelligent device, connected to the internet, providing for the safe storage and delivery of medicines in an automatic and controlled manner. In addition, it allows for health checks to be made on the patient using data obtained through peripheral devices, which are not the subject of this invention. Thus it is an electromechanical device together with the necessary software both in the device and in external applications, to improve compliance with pharmacological treatments for patients, also generating reliable information and enabling continuous monitoring of the patient by the responsible person.

Abstract: A portable, versatile pill dispensing system can be used in a variety of settings and for a variety of pill dispensing regimens. Such systems and methods can be configured for intuitive filling or refilling, early or flexible dispensing, remote monitoring software to verify user compliance with a predetermined medication regimen, and features designed to improve compliance while traveling.

Abstract: A device and system for packaging, storing, and smoking an organic smoking material, and a method of using same. In one embodiment, the system includes a container that includes a housing defining a chamber, a first compartment within the chamber, the first compartment having a first depth, a second compartment within the chamber adjacent the first compartment, the second compartment having a second depth that is less than the first depth, and a lid configured to provide an airtight seal to at least the second compartment. In one embodiment, the system further includes a smoking device having a bowl portion with a sharpened free edge that can be used to simultaneously cut organic smoking material within the second compartment and load the cut organic smoking material into the bowl portion. The system may also include a loading funnel and a pushing device for inserting organic smoking material into the container.

Abstract: A user health profile is created at a personal food item customization system. The personal food item customization system receives a food item recipe including a plurality of ingredients, identifies at least one ingredient that includes a nutritional value that places the food item outside of a nutritional parameter range in the user health profile, modifies one or more identified ingredients in the food item recipe to bring the nutritional value of the nutrient in the food item within the nutritional parameter range, and generates a user specific food item recipe.

Abstract: A novel apparatus for allocating pills from a pharmacy pill container into a weekly pill storage container is described herein. The pill sorting apparatus is made of two parts, each with seven holes. The pills are poured into the sorting apparatus, and the two parts are shifted so that the holes align, allowing the seven pills to drop into the weekly pill storage container.

Abstract: A method of providing maintenance services to at least one user of an electrically operated smoking device using an automatic testing apparatus is provided, the method including: making the automatic testing apparatus publicly accessible; determining a connection of the electrically operated smoking device to the automatic testing apparatus; performing automatic electrical testing of the electrically operated smoking device; automatically extracting usage data from the electrically operated smoking device; and performing a software update or a software reset of the electrically operated smoking device; and/or automatically generating an electrical test report based on the performed automatic electrical testing, automatically providing the electrical test report together with a recommended action to the at least one user, and automatically sending or saving the electrical test report together with the automatically extracted usage data to a data store.

Abstract: Disclosed are an information processing method and apparatus, an electronic device, and a storage medium. The information processing method is applied to a mobile device loaded with articles, and comprises: determining a motion parameter according to a motion mode and obstacle information; carrying out a motion according to the motion parameter; collecting pre-determined information during the motion; and if the pre-determined information indicates that a user needs to acquire an article, suspending the motion.

Abstract: A portable custom cosmetic pigment dispenser creates a cosmetic pigment mixture that closely matches a person's skin color. The device is constructed with an RGB sensor at one end that scans the skin and records it in the RGB color space. A processor converts the RGB information into a CYMK+W color space. In an embodiment, a user is presented with a sample of the color as determined by the processor, and has an opportunity to accept or modify the color. Specific quantities of colored pigment are selected based on the corresponding weightings in the CYMK+W space.

Abstract: Modular automated dispensing systems for dispensing secured medications in a medical environment are provided. The system includes a compact enclosure configured to be disposed in a medical treatment area without taking up valuable floor space. The system includes lockable drawers having one or more compartments for storing and dispensing medications or medical supplies. The system is unlocked by use of an access control interface internally or externally connected directly to the system, or networked to the system through a medical center network.

Abstract: A system, method and corresponding apparatus are provided for packaging, storing, tracking, and dispensing pharmaceuticals in unit doses in a highly efficient manner. In particular, a method of packaging pharmaceuticals within a ribbon having a plurality of adjacent segments each containing a unit dose of a pharmaceutical and having associated data indicia for efficient and uniform transport, tracking, storage and dispensing is provided. Pharmaceuticals are loaded into an automated dispenser that is networked with computers for accepting prescriptions and dispensing pharmaceutical accordingly.

Abstract: A medication dispensing system includes an automated dispensing device that includes cells with electronically activated locks. The device is configured to detect when medication counts in the cells fall below predetermined thresholds. The system further includes a plurality of first electronic devices that are associated with some of the cells and that have imagers. In response to any of the medication counts in the cells being below the predetermined threshold, the automated dispensing device is configured to automatically send a replenishment needed notification to the first electronic device associated with the cell. That first electronic device is configured to transmit a picture of a medication to a second electronic device. In response to a positive verification by a user of the second electronic device that the medication in the picture is the correct medication, the second electronic device is configured to transmit an unlock signal to the automated dispensing device.

Abstract: An automated multi-dispenser and multi-replenisher of products for concurrent loading and unloading of products that simplifies existing systems, consisting of an elongated structure (1) which supports several central shelving units (2) with a set of inclined shelves (3) arranged at different heights one below the other and one next to the other, comprising a plurality of horizontal shelves (5) at each longitudinal side of the elongated structure (1); at least one rear loading subsystem in the form of a cart (6), which travels over these lateral shelving units (4) in order to leave the products on the highest section of the inclined shelves (3); at least one front unloading subsystem in the form of a cart (7), which collects the products from the lowest section of the inclined shelves (3), where the carts (6) and (7) also cover a plurality of inclined channels (8) including a support (9).

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for tracking and guiding a patient's clinically directed medication usage. Medicaments are placed in secure passive packaging that must be unlocked to enable dispensing of a dose or a set of doses. This packaging is designed to be difficult to open manually, and instead is designed to dispense only when used in combination with an unlocking device. The unlocking device is a separate device containing electronics, mechatronics or both, to unlock and dispense from the packaging and to track and guide usage. Together, the secure container and the unlocking device track medication usage, deter an excessive rate of patient usage, and deter unauthorized access to medication.

Abstract: A vending machine system is disclosed and claimed. In particular, the disclosed vending machine system allows multiple vendors to sell food items through a vending machine. The vending machine provides multiple locked bins, each of which can authenticate to a single vendor. Also, the vending machine implements price adjustment rules, such as raising the price of a particular item during, before, and after a high traffic event. In addition, customer dietary restrictions can be tracked, and purchases of food items that would violate those dietary restrictions can be prevented.

Abstract: A vending system is disclosed and claimed. In particular, the disclosed vending machine system allows multiple vendors to sell food items through a vending machine. The vending machine provides multiple locked bins, each of which can authenticate to a single vendor. Also, the vending machine implements price adjustment rules, such as raising the price of a particular item during, before, and after a high traffic event. In addition, customer dietary restrictions can be tracked, and purchases of food items that would violate those dietary restrictions can be prevented. The vending system allows a consumer to perform contactless vending transactions, with the identity of the consumer being verified through biometrics and a camera. Upon verification of the consumer, the vending system transacts payment for selected items, dispenses items in a contactless manner, updates inventory of items, records the purchase history of consumer, and provides indisputable visual media evidence of the transaction.

Abstract: A dispensing system (2) and method for dispensing unit dosage forms (38) from a blister pack (30) is disclosed. The system (2) comprises a housing (4) for receiving a blister pack (30), the blister pack (30) having a plurality of cavities (32) with at least one unit dosage form (38) sealed in each of the cavities (32), the housing (4) comprising at least one housing aperture. The system (2) also comprises a sensing layer comprising a plurality of apertures, each sensing layer aperture configured to substantially align with a corresponding one or more of the plurality of cavities (32) of the blister pack (30) when a blister pack (30) is received in the housing (4) and at least one sensing region. The system (2) further comprises an electronics unit and a power source for providing voltage to the sensing layer.

Abstract: An automatic medication dispenser is disclosed herein. The automated prescription medication dispensing machine includes a container for housing multiple medication pills. The container has a programmable dispensing system, an audible reminder alert, a biometric sensor and a proximity alarm. Additionally, the dispenser can be programmed to dispense a prescribed dosage at a prescribed time or interval and can only be activated using a biometric fingerprint scanner. Furthermore, the system has an audible reminder alarm for a patient. If the machine is moved from a set location an audible alert is activated to prevent the dispenser from being stolen.

Abstract: A controlled substance fraud prevention method preferably includes a camera, a database of faces with names, facial recognition software, a database of medicines prescribed to each face and a portable medicine safe. A patient goes to a doctor for some medical issue. The doctor will issue a prescription for a controlled substance, after photographing a face of the patient; and uploading the facial image to a computer server. The first computer server contains a database of faces and names. Facial recognition software will compare the uploaded face to other faces to determine if there are other names with the same face. A photograph of the patient's face is taken at the pharmacy and the image is uploaded to the computer server by pharmacist for facial recognition. The pharmacist also checks a database of names and medicines, before providing the prescription through a portable pill or liquid medicine safe.