Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a vending machine for enabling a transaction between a user and one of a plurality of remote sources. Vending machine may include a communication interface communicatively coupled with each source. Vending machine may include an input interface for receiving an input regarding the selection of a source. Vending machine may include a speaker and a microphone for audio communication with selected source, as well as a display for providing information related to the transaction from selected source. Vending machine may include a processor that transmits an indication that a source has been selected and establishes, via the communication interface, audio communication. Processor may receive, via the communication interface, a control command from selected source directing a hardware peripheral of vending machine to perform a function. Processor may receive an issuance authorization from selected source. The issuance authorization may cause a transaction item to be issued.

Abstract: A portable self medication management system and method of provided. For example, the system may include a removable tote and docking station. The removable tote including a plurality of receptacles, communicating section for transferring data to and from a docking station and a power reception station for receiving power from the docking station. The docking station including a scanner, a display screen, a controller, a storage device, communicating sections for transmitting data to the removable tote and other external devices and a power transmitting section for transferring power to the removable tote.

Abstract: A recycling kiosk for recycling and financial remuneration for submission of an electronic device such as a mobile phone is disclosed herein. The recycling kiosk includes electrical connectors and an inspection area with an upper chamber, a lower chamber, a transparent plate and at least one camera in order to perform a visual analysis and an electrical analysis of the electronic device for determination of a value of the electronic device. The recycling kiosk also includes a processor and a display for user interaction.

Abstract: A product discharging device includes: a lower pedal that is swingably disposed in a base to move forward to and backward from a product storage passage storing input products in a vertical direction; an upper pedal that is swingably disposed in a base to move forward to and backward from the product storage passage in an area above the lower pedal; and a pedal link that links the lower pedal and the upper pedal. The upper pedal moves backward by causing the pedal link to move downward and the lower pedal moves forward to regulate downward movement of the product in a standby state, and the upper pedal moves forward to come in contact with a second lowest product and the lower pedal moves backward to discharge a lowest product downward by causing the pedal link to move upward, in an activated state.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for estimating the spatial position (pose) of a tool (2) within an object (1), particularly in the form of a human bone that is to be machined with said tool, comprising: a sensor (21) being designed to be coupled to said tool (2), which sensor (21) is further designed to generate an sensor output signal (31) upon machining of said object (1) along an actual trajectory (30), which sensor output signal (31) depends on a material property of said object along said actual trajectory (30), an analyzing means being designed to determine a correlation between said sensor output signal (31) upon machining said object (1) and a plurality of pre-determined candidate output signals (42), each candidate output signal (42) being generated in beforehand using said material property along an associated model trajectory (40) in a model of said object (1), and wherein said analyzing means is designed to estimate a spatial position of the tool (2) within the object (1) using the model traject

Abstract: A home beverage dispensing device for dispensing servings of a beverage, having a vessel for holding a volume of liquid. This vessel may be equipped with a refrigeration unit, or may be comprised of a removable pitcher that may be put in an external refrigerator. This invention is equipped with a radio communications controller to provide for the ability to communicate over radio frequencies such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. A special disposable beverage cartridge or beverage pouch fits into the holder. This cartridge or pouch may have pressure rupturable seals or diaphragms and contain beverage concentrate. The mixing structure also receives the optionally chilled liquid from vessel for holding a volume of liquid, and ensures that the concentrate mixes with the liquid without contacting the walls of the mixing structure.

Abstract: A medicine feeding apparatus includes a cylindrical body 8, a first rotating body 9, and a second rotating body 10. The first rotating body 9 is disposed on the inner side of the cylindrical body 8, and together with the cylindrical body 8, constitutes a medicine storage section 42 capable of storing medicine. The first rotating body 9 can reciprocate in the axial direction of the cylindrical body 8, and can rotate about a first rotary axis. The second rotating body 10 is disposed on the outer circumference of an opening of the cylindrical body 8, and can rotate about a second rotary axis. This configuration has a function of smoothly performing automatic dispensing depending on the remaining amount of stored medicine while storing a large amount of medicine.

Abstract: A dispensing container for dispensable wipes generally comprises a base at least partially defining an internal compartment for storing the wipes and a dispensing partition connected to the base. The dispensing partition comprises a flexible material having an aperture defined therein through which the wipes are individually removable. The dispensing partition is configured to move from a first position to a second position when one of the wipes is removed from the container through the aperture. The dispensing partition is biased towards the first position, and is at least partially inverted from the first position when in the second position.

Abstract: A method of substituting digital alternative media for a requested media selection to a customer is provided. The method includes receiving a request related to the requested media selection through a user interface from the customer, identifying an associated content provider, and determining the alternative media selection at the associated content provider that corresponds to the requested media selection. The method also includes receiving a unique customer identifier and identifying the associated content provider based on the unique customer identifier. The method further includes mapping the media article to the alternative media selection based on metadata. The requested media selection may be available or may be unavailable due to being out-of-stock or reserved to another customer in an article dispensing machine embodiment. The associated content provider may be linked to the customer based on a subscription.

Abstract: A system for providing a remote center of motion for robotic control includes a marker device (104) configured to include one or more shapes (105) to indicate position and orientation of the marker device in an image collected by an imaging system (110). The marker device is configured to receive or partially receive an instrument (102) therein, the instrument being robotically guided. A registration module (117) is configured to register a coordinate system of the image with that of the robotically guided instrument using the marker device to define a position in a robot coordinate system (132) where a virtual remote center of motion (140) exists. Control software (136) is configured to control a motion of the robotically guided instrument wherein the virtual remote center of motion constrains the motion of a robot (130).

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to systems and methods for monitoring adherence to a medication regimen through the use of a smart medication container. The container can include an electronic display that presents relevant information, such as dosage and/or medication information, instructions, user information, messages, notifications, and device information (e.g., battery status, network connectivity status). A pair of conductive elements positioned on either side of the container's opening can be configured to continually measure capacitance in order to identify when contents (e.g., pills) leave the container. More than one pair of conductive elements may be used to improve accuracy and reduce the effects of noise. A processor is able to analyze the capacitance data and determine whether medication has been dispensed from the container and, if so, how much medication was dispensed. A computer system can then compare the results to a planned medication regimen to determine a state of compliance.

Abstract: An automatic prescription drug dispenser including a remote dispenser, a prescription entry system, and a communications network. The remote dispenser transmits and receives information from the communications network and dispenses prescription drugs to the patient. The prescription entry system transmits and receives information from the communications network and provides an input system for the prescriber to electronically enter individual prescriptions for each patient. The communications network coordinates communications between the doctor, insurance carrier, and the remote dispenser. The remote dispenser stores, retrieves, and labels prescription drug and over-the-counter products directly to patients through a remote automated dispenser, a prescription entry system, and a communications network.

Abstract: A vending machine that dispense feminine hygiene products. Specifically, this invention is a coin-operated vending machine that dispenses sanitary napkins and tampons. This invention allows a user to purchase a feminine hygiene product by placing a coin or multiple coins in a slot within the vending machine and pressing a product release button. The product is then dispensed to the consumer. The apparatus also provides a mechanism for retrieving a coin in the event that the vending machine is out of a specific feminine hygiene.

Abstract: Systems and methods for preventing a container from being replenished with the wrong medicine are described. This is achieved by the following process: first, a user places a container on a placement unit and reads a symbol attached to a bottle. Then, a determination is made so as to whether the medicine in the bottle is the correct medicine. If the medicine is incorrect, a message indicating the medicine is incorrect is displayed. If the medicine is correct, a camera records video of the medicine replenishment operation. Once the medicine replenishment is completed, a photographed image of the medicine inside the container and an image of the correct medicine for replenishing the container are displayed. Then, the user views these images and confirms whether the medicine used to replenish the container was correct. If this confirmation is not completed, the medicine dispensing device will not dispense medicine from the container.

Abstract: The invention relates to a container for a plurality of goods to be packaged (28), comprising a container body (2) which forms a receiving space (13) for the goods to be packaged (28), a dispenser (30) for dispensing goods to be packaged (28), and comprising a holding device (12) for fixing the goods to be packaged (28) in the receiving space (13). The container is characterized in that the holding device (12) can assume an open position, in which at least one of the goods to be packaged (28) can be moved from the receiving space (13) into the dispenser (30), and a closed position, in which the goods to be packaged (28) are fixed in the receiving space (13), and in that an actuating device (18) is provided, in order to move the holding device (12) to the open position.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a system comprising a first vending machine (VM), the first VM comprising: an exterior chassis having a top, bottom, backside, front side, and first and second sides that couple the front side to the backside; a wireless short range communications node included in the chassis; and an actuator coupled to a compartment included in the chassis; wherein (a) the actuator provides a vended good to an aperture in the front side upon actuation, and (b) each of the front side and first and second sides includes no physically manipulatable consumer interface with which the consumer can control the first VM via direct physical manipulation of the first VM. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: A product dispensing device includes: one product discharging device; and the other product discharging device. The one product discharging device includes: a DC motor serving as a drive source; and a driving force applying unit configured to apply a driving force from the DC motor when a discharge command is issued. The driving force applying unit includes: an output gear configured to rotate about a central axis of the output gear according to a driving state of the DC motor; an arm member configured to rotate in accordance with a rotation direction of the output gear when the output gear is rotated; and a link lever member configured such that the one product discharging device and the other product discharging device are alternatively driven in accordance with a rotation of the arm member.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for detecting a graphic card that visually describes an operational mode of a rotatable interface component via a plurality of curves for rotationally-varying parameters, determining the operational mode that is visually described on the graphic card, and loading the operational mode to the rotatable interface component, where the operational mode specifies operations for a motor such that the motor generates torque on the interface component based on the curves for the rotationally-varying parameters that are shown on the graphic card.

Abstract: A golf tee dispenser is configured to provide a single tee for retrieval when the golf tee dispenser is agitated. A golf tee dispenser has a deflector to deflect a plurality of tees away from a tee-opening to increase the effectiveness of the tees being extended through the tee opening upon agitation. A golf tee dispenser also has a resilient retainer that is configured to retain a tee by a tee-head until the tee is pulled from the tee dispenser. A resilient retainer is configured to deform or deflect to allow the tee head to pass through the resilient retainer and then return substantially to a pre deformed state. A golf tee dispenser is configured to hold a plurality of tees in a container and a cap is configured to attach to a container opening.

Abstract: An electronic component supply apparatus transports a component supply tape which has accommodation sections and sprocket holes formed at regular intervals and which accommodates electronic components in the accommodation sections and is covered with a cover tape, to a component picking-up position and supplies each of the electronic components accommodated in each of the accommodation sections to a component mounting apparatus. The electronic component supply apparatus includes an electronic component detecting unit that detects the electronic component accommodated in the accommodation section of the component supply tape which has yet to pass the cover tape processing unit on a transport path; a determination unit that determines presence or absence of an electronic component in the accommodation section based on information from the electronic component detecting unit; and a control unit that controls a component supply tape transport unit based on a determination result of the determination unit.