Abstract: A mobile device presents representations of payment accepting unit events on a display, by identifying a payment accepting unit that is available to accept payment from a mobile payment application executing on the mobile device, displaying a visual indication of the payment accepting unit and accepting user input to receive selection of the payment accepting unit and trigger payment, establishing a wireless communication path including the mobile device and the payment accepting unit, enabling user interaction with the user interface to complete the transaction, exchanging information with the available payment accepting unit via the one or more radio transceivers in conjunction with the transaction, and displaying an updated user interface of the mobile payment application.

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: An electronic device comprising: one or more processors; a radio transceiver; memory storing a unique serial number identifying the electronic device; pairing circuitry configured to communicatively couple, using the radio transceiver, the electronic device with an external device distinct from the electronic device; first electronic circuitry configured to perform a plurality of operations of the electronic device; and activation circuitry configured to activate and deactivate the first electronic circuitry; wherein the memory stores instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to (i) detect, using the pairing circuitry, a successful pairing of the electronic device with a first external device; and (ii) in accordance with the detection of the successful pairing, activate, using the activation circuitry, the first electronic circuitry.

Abstract: A controlled dispensing system includes a dispensing fixture and a server system coupled to the dispensing fixture and a mobile device via a communication network. The server system receives from the mobile device identification data of a user of the mobile device and verifies an identity or age of the user. In accordance with the verifying of the identity or age of the user, the server system transmits to the mobile device dispense approval data including an indication that the identity or age of the user is verified. The dispensing fixture obtains via an input peripheral a dispense code provided by the mobile device, the dispense code corresponding to the dispense approval data, and in accordance with the dispense code, causes a dispensing mechanism to dispense the controlled product.

Abstract: A controlled dispensing system includes a dispensing fixture and a server system coupled to the dispensing fixture via a communication network. The dispensing fixture is configured to obtain via an input peripheral a first identifier associated with a controlled product and a second identifier associated with a dispensing requester; transmit the first and second identifiers to the server system; receive an approval notification from the server system; and instructing the dispensing mechanism to dispense the controlled product.

Abstract: A controlled dispensing system includes a dispensing fixture and a server system coupled to the dispensing fixture and a mobile device via a communication network. The server system receives from the mobile device identification data of a user of the mobile device, verifies an identity or age of the user, and receives a request to reserve a controlled product included in the dispensing fixture. In accordance with the verifying of the identity or age of the user and the request to reserve the controlled product, the server system transmits to the mobile device dispense approval data including user validation and product selection information. The dispensing fixture obtains via an input peripheral a dispense code provided by the mobile device, the dispense code corresponding to the dispense approval data, and in accordance with the dispense code, causes a dispensing mechanism to dispense the controlled product.

Abstract: A controlled dispensing fixture including a display screen, a scanning device, and one or more processors is configured to: obtain via the display screen or remote scanner a selection of one or more controlled products; update a user interface on the display screen based on the selection; determine whether the one or more controlled products meet a purchase limit associated with the one or more controlled products for dispensing; obtain via the scanning device consumer identification information; determine whether the consumer identification information meets an age threshold and/or an identity requirement associated with the one or more controlled products; and in accordance with a determination that (i) the one or more controlled products meet the purchase limit for dispensing, and (ii) the consumer identification information meets the age threshold and/or the identity requirement, transmit a dispensing instruction to the dispensing fixture to dispense the one or more controlled products.

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: An electronic device includes a slave interface configured for coupling to a machine controller of a machine via a multi-drop bus (MDB), a host interface configured for coupling to a first peripheral device of the machine, and memory storing one or more programs to be executed by the one or more processors and comprising instructions for: registering the electronic device as a slave to the machine controller, registering the first peripheral device as a slave to the electronic device, receiving from a mobile device a request to access signals generated by the first peripheral device, validating the request, and sending a reset command to the first peripheral device via the host interface, the reset command including a directive to update a signal destination address of the first peripheral device from a controller address of the machine controller to a device address of the electronic device.

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: A controlled dispensing system includes a dispensing fixture having or in communication with a display screen, a scanning device communicatively coupled to the dispensing fixture, one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs including instructions for obtaining one or more identifiers of one or more respective controlled products, determining whether the one or more controlled products meet a bulk limit for dispensing, obtaining identification information, determining whether the identification information meets an age threshold and/or an identity requirement associated with the one or more controlled products; and in accordance with a determination that the bulk limit is met, and the age threshold and/or identity requirement is met, transmitting a dispensing instruction to the dispensing fixture to dispense the one or more controlled products.

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 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 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: 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: 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: 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.