Abstract: A configuration for an autonomous food preparation and meal production machine receives a menu order. A computer system of the machine retrieves from a database an automated recipe for fulfilment of the menu order and determines an availability of a threshold of ingredients to fulfill the menu order. The computer system transmits preparation instructions to fulfill the menu order to stations having controllers in a production line. The production line de-nests a vessel and moves it along a production line. The production line, in response to the controllers receiving the preparation instructions, automatically dispenses ingredients of the menu order into the vessel from dispensers, steams and heats the ingredients and places the vessel with the fulfilled menu order into a locker. The computer system transmits to a device a signal corresponding to the fulfillment of the menu order.

Abstract: A system for rehydrating a food item includes a housing, a casing, an actuator, a moisture source, and a plate. The moisture source includes an outlet and an enclosed vessel having liquid. The liquid is released by steam or pressure as moisture into a first end of a conduit. The system has a plate with a top surface, a bottom surface and an opening traversing between the two. A casing couples with the top surface of the plate. The second end of the conduit couples with the opening. The casing has a pivot point. An actuator couples the casing on a first end and the housing at a second end. The actuator moves the casing from a first position to a second position by rotation about the pivot point. In the first position, the moisture flows towards the plate and in the second position moisture flow is idled.

Abstract: A food preparation unit receives unit input in the form of an image selected by a user of a vending machine or client device application. The food preparation unit translates the image into a format that is recognizable by further components of the unit. The food preparation unit represents the image as a set of instructions for the components of the unit. The instructions comprise a selection of sauces to dispense, a dispensing method, and a dispensing nozzle. The food preparation unit identifies a starting location of the dispensing nozzle and dispenses the selected sauce from the dispensing nozzle in the form of the chosen image.

Abstract: A system for dispensing food is described. The system has one or more cavities that are configured to hold food items. Each cavity has an opening and a movable wall opposite the opening. The cavities are supported by a support matrix that holds each cavity at a specified location. A punch with an actuation system is configured to align with a cavity at a specified location and extend to compress the cavity wall to dispense the food item in the cavity. A controller of the system receives instructions comprising a food item order. The controller determines the location of a cavity holding the ordered food item and transmits those instructions to the actuation mechanism so that the actuation mechanism aligns the punch with the cavity and extends the punch to dispense the food item.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for protecting an unattended parked vehicle from being impacted by a moving vehicle under control of a driver. The apparatus comprises a detection and alarm system built into the unattended parked vehicle. When a moving vehicle comes within a predetermined distance from the unattended parked vehicle, the apparatus senses the presence of the moving vehicle and activates the alarm system. If the moving vehicle continues to approach the unattended parked vehicle, the activated alarm signals are increased in intensity. Typically, the alarm signals would be in the form of lights flashing and/or horn blowing, or any appropriate combination of audible and visual signals.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for limiting engine operation during fueling. The apparatus comprises, an engine control for enabling or disabling operation of the engine, one or more sensors for detecting whether (i) a cap is on the vehicle fuel fill-pipe, and (ii) a fueling nozzle is in the fuel fill-pipe, a processor coupled to the engine control and the one or more sensors receiving information therefrom and directing the engine control to enable or disable the vehicle engine depending upon the sensor outputs, thereby, disabling the engine when the cap is not on the fill-pipe and/or a fueling nozzle is in the fill-pipe, and enabling the engine when not true. In a further embodiment, a fuel level sensor coupled to the processor is used to detect whether a fuel level change rate R(t)?Rc where Rc is a predetermined value, and if so, disabling the engine.