Abstract: Various examples of the invention conduct a purchase transaction with a first sensor that senses removal or return of a first item from a first region; a computer vision sensor that senses removal or return of a second item from the first region; a transaction detector that determines an accuracy that the sensed removal or return of the first item by the first sensor and the sensed removal or return of the second item by the computer vision sensor correspond to a single event of removal or return of an item by a consumer and that forwards, to a machine learning tool, information associated with the sensed removal or return of the first item by the first sensor and information associated with the sensed removal or return of the second item by the computer vision sensor when the accuracy is less than an accuracy threshold; the machine learning tool that verifies or corrects the information associated with the sensed removal or return of the first item or the information associated with the sensed removal or ret

Abstract: An automated store includes a modular shelving structure and an autonomous robotic apparatus that operates to transfer items to and from the shelving structure.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods provide an automated store with a number of product locations and a fetch and delivery bucket that conveys product from a shelf location to a delivery location. Cameras and sensors within the automated store acquire data that may be stored in a remote database and analyzed to improve the reliability of the delivery process. Camera images may also be used to re-position the fetch and delivery bucket in real time, to provide images of actual, available product to consumers via a remote interface, to determine inventory, and to monitor the activities of replenishers and service personnel, and to generally operate the automated store remotely.

Abstract: A data center supporting a network system for vending products to customers and associated vending methods are provided. The network system includes a data center and a plurality of vending stores remotely located from the data center and connected to the data center through a network interface. The vending stores also include an automated dispensing mechanism for immediate dispensing of purchased products to the customers. The data center may include an enterprise resource planning module and the vending stores may contain user interfaces for collecting inventory and maintenance data during stocking and maintenance.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses provide a vending machine with a dispenser the moves product from a shelf to a conveyor bucket. The dispenser includes an elongate divider with a drive gear at its bucket end. A drive gear from the bucket engages the dispenser drive gear causing a linear positioner to move a carriage along the elongate divider and toward the bucket. The movement causes product on the shelf, and between the carriage and the bucket, to be forced into the bucket.

Abstract: The present application describes methods and systems for processing transaction on a series of unattended self-service vending kiosks or machines.

Abstract: This application describes an automated inventory detection, retrieval and delivery system for traditional brick and mortar retail locations. The automated inventory detection, retrieval and delivery system may be retrofitted to existing brick and mortar retail locations to enable contactless ordering and retrieval of items.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods provide an automated store with a number of product locations and a fetch and delivery bucket that conveys product from a shelf location to a delivery location. Cameras and sensors within the automated store acquire data that may be stored in a remote database and analyzed to improve the reliability of the delivery process. Camera images may also be used to re-position the fetch and delivery bucket in real time, to provide images of actual, available product to consumers via a remote interface, to determine inventory, and to monitor the activities of replenishers and service personnel, and to generally operate the automated store remotely.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods provide an automated store with a number of product locations and a fetch and delivery bucket that conveys product from a shelf location to a delivery location. Cameras and sensors within the automated store acquire data that may be stored in a remote database and analyzed to improve the reliability of the delivery process. Camera images may also be used to re-position the fetch and delivery bucket in real time, to provide images of actual, available product to consumers via a remote interface, to determine inventory, and to monitor the activities of replenishers and service personnel, and to generally operate the automated store remotely.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses provide a vending machine with a positioning system connected to a dispensing chassis. The dispensing chassis includes a retractable partition. The positioning system moves the dispensing chassis to receive product from a shelf of the vending machine and closes the retractable partition. The positioning system moves the dispending chassis and product to a dispensing position. A dispensing door is raised allowing a user to remove the product. With the door raised the retractable partition and chassis prevent unauthorized user access to other products within the vending machine.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses provide a vending machine with a dispenser the moves product from a shelf to a conveyor bucket. The dispenser includes an elongate divider with a drive gear at its bucket end. A drive gear from the bucket engages the dispenser drive gear causing a linear positioner to move a carriage along the elongate divider and toward the bucket. The movement causes product on the shelf, and between the carriage and the bucket, to be forced into the bucket.

Abstract: A data center supporting a network system for vending products to customers and associated vending methods are provided. The network system includes a data center and a plurality of vending stores remotely located from the data center and connected to the data center through a network interface. The vending stores also include an automated dispensing mechanism for immediate dispensing of purchased products to the customers. The data center may include an enterprise resource planning module and the vending stores may contain user interfaces for collecting inventory and maintenance data during stocking and maintenance.

Abstract: A data center supporting a network system for vending products to customers and associated vending methods are provided. The network system includes a data center and a plurality of vending stores remotely located from the data center and connected to the data center through a network interface. The vending stores also include an automated dispensing mechanism for immediate dispensing of purchased products to the customers. The data center may include an enterprise resource planning module and the vending stores may contain user interfaces for collecting inventory and maintenance data during stocking and maintenance.

Abstract: A data center supporting a network system for vending products to customers and associated vending methods are provided. The network system includes a data center and a plurality of vending stores remotely located from the data center and connected to the data center through a network interface. The vending stores also include an automated dispensing mechanism for immediate dispensing of purchased products to the customers. The data center may include an enterprise resource planning module and the vending stores may contain user interfaces for collecting inventory and maintenance data during stocking and maintenance.

Abstract: A dispensing mechanism is provided for flat faced products. The products are supported in a storage chute between a first upright wall and a second upright wall, stacked one on top of another. The products are supported in the chute by a support surface and a first tongue. Products are dispensed by retracting the first tongue allowing a lowermost product to fall onto a second tongue. The first tongue is advanced to be under the next highermost product in the chute. The second tongue is then retracted allowing the lowermost product to fall onto the support surface and pass through a discharge opening. In a further embodiment, flat faced products are stacked vertically side-by-side on a slightly inclined floor. The products move horizontally to one side to be dispensed. A tongue and a moveable stop are mounted at that side. The spacing between the tongue and the stop is generally equal the thickness of the product.

Abstract: This invention relates to product vending and relates particularly but not exclusively to product vending apparatus and parts therefor suitable for vending high cost products such as consumables for computer printers.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for stocking a vending device are disclosed. The vending device is structured to receive a product selection from a user via a user input device. The vending device then dispenses the selected product and determines if the inventory associated with the selected product has fallen below a predetermined threshold. If the inventory of the selected product has fallen below the predetermined threshold, the vending device may communicate with a remote host device. Alternatively, or in addition, the vending device may communicate with the remote host periodically.

Abstract: A dedicated electronic catalogue device (150) and a dedicated system for providing goods/services ordered by the electronic catalogue device (150) from a remote location stores in memory (400) a catalogue database which can be accessed by a user by actuation of an appropriate input interface (500) for the user to select a particular product or service to be provided by a provider. A host device (300) at the location of the provider communicates with the electronic catalogue device (150) and obtains transaction information relating to the user's order. The provider then fills the order and provides the appropriate product or service. The dedicated electronic catalogue devices (150) can be provided at any convenient location such as a public location, for example. Any product or service is available which can be supplied by the provider. The catalogue can be updated remotely from the host (300) to update product or service information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus adapted to promote the recycling of complex articles, such as, in particular, printer cartridges, toner cartridges and other complex office items. The invention provides an apparatus having storage space arranged to store a number of such complex articles for recycling. Access to the storage space is controlled by a data processor which interacts with a user by way of a visual display unit and control panel. If the user wishes to store an item, he indicates this by way of the control panel and the apparatus is then operable to open a receptacle to receive the used item. When the used item is placed in the receptacle, in preferred embodiments means are provided to determine that the used item is an article of an appropriate type to be stored. These means preferably employ shape recognition. The article will be rejected if it is not of the correct type and accepted and retained in a storage space if it is of the correct type.