Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for an automated kiosk which responds to natural disasters. Such a system can: receive, at a processor in an automated kiosk, an electronic weather report for weather associated with a geographic location of the automated kiosk; receive, from an exterior sensor mounted on the automated kiosk, exterior sensor data; and receive, from an interior sensor mounted inside the automated kiosk, interior sensor data. The system can then identify, via the processor and based on at least one of the electronic weather report, the exterior sensor data, and the interior sensor data, a likelihood of a natural disaster affecting the automated kiosk. The system can initiate actions to protect the kiosk and/or the products stored in the kiosk from the natural disaster, based on the likelihood and the type of threat encountered.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an access control device having at least one movably mounted barrier element, which can be moved to a blocking position, in which it blocks access, and an access position, in which access is enabled. In order to enable a variable use in different locations without time-consuming assembly, for example in order to variably delimit different spaces in a casino or an event location, the movable barrier element is mounted on a barrier support which includes free-standing ground contact means for the anchor-free, position-variable putting up of a barrier element on the ground. A lateral delimitation laterally enclosing or extending the at least one barrier element has a modular design and can be assembled from a number of side pieces which can be variably joined end to end under different angles and which together form the lateral delimitation.

Abstract: Methods and systems may provide for detecting a location of an adjacent ultrasonic receiver of a battery powered device relative to a charging surface of a contactless charger. The charging surface may include an ultrasonic array of transmitter sub arrays, wherein one or more of the transmitter sub arrays may be selectively activated based on the location to focus an ultrasonic beam on the adjacent ultrasonic receiver. In one example, a movement of the adjacent ultrasonic receiver may be detected and the focus of the ultrasonic beam is adjusted in response to the movement.

Abstract: The application relates to money item dispensing apparatus having a money item acceptor and a hopper arrangement. The application further relates to money item dispensing apparatus having sorting means operable to selectively direct a money item to one of a first money item store and a second money item store, to money item dispensing apparatus having two hopper arrangements, to a money item acceptor having a self-clearing mechanism, to a money item conveyor, to a method of purging the money items in a money item dispensing apparatus, to money item dispensing apparatus having means for ejecting a money item from a receptacle through an outlet via a first path to a return tray and via a second path into a cashbox, to a method of filling a money item dispensing apparatus and filling apparatus for filling a money item dispensing apparatus.

Abstract: A coin counter includes a base unit, an adjusting plate adjustably mounted on the base unit, and a coin outlet port mounted on the base unit. The adjusting plate has a first end provided with an adjusting slot and a second end provided with a micro-adjusting slot. The adjusting plate has a mediate portion provided with a guide slot located between the adjusting slot and the micro-adjusting slot. Thus, by provision of the micro-adjusting slot of the adjusting plate, the pitch angle of the adjusting plate can be slightly adjusted to slightly adjust and control the projecting distance of each of the coins so that each of the coins can be projected onto the coin outlet port exactly to facilitate collection of the coins.

Abstract: A snack dispenser comprises tiers stacked to resemble a wedding cake. Each tier includes a trough divided into transparent slots into which a snack may be placed. The troughs are mounted on a rotatable carousel having a transparent front shell with transparent locked doors therein. The doors are unlocked by a door control mechanism when coins of proper monetary value are inserted into a coin box. The coin box accepts and learns the value of different types of coins, or accepts personal identification numbers. Opening the door blocks the rotation of the carousel, blocks the opening of other doors, and resets the credit of the coins inserted. When closed, the door locks all doors until additional coins are inserted. Servicing the dispenser includes removal of the front shell, removal of empty tiers, and replacement of replenished tiers. All segments can be removed and collapsed into a flat position.

Abstract: A snack dispenser consists of a series of tiers stacked to resemble a wedding cake. Each tier includes a trough divided into slots. A snack may be placed into each slot. The front of each slot is transparent. The troughs or trays are mounted on a rotatable carousel. The carousel is covered with a backshell and a transparent front shell. The front shell has transparent doors therein. By inserting a proper amount of money and aligning the carousel so that the desired snack is beneath a door; the door may be opened and the customer may withdraw his snack from that slot. The opening of the door blocks the rotation of the carousel, blocks the opening of the remaining doors, and also resets or cancels the credit of the coins inserted. When the single door is closed again, all doors will be blocked so that a person can not again open a door until proper coins are inserted. To service the dispenser the front shell is removed. A segment of all tiers is removed.

Abstract: A coin machine for collection and checking of different types of coins and for release of a device for dispensing goods when the proper number of coins for the item purchase price is inserted into the coin machine. The coin-checking device comprises a carrier plate arranged vertically between a housing front and back wall, wherein at least on one side of the carrier plate there is located parallel thereto a coin-checking plate which can be tilted. Adjacent to the coin-checking plate there is located parallel to the carrier plate a coin-channel plate which is fitted with inclined slots, through which extend angular protrusions of a lower plate and which form the bottom of the running channels for the coins. The coin-channel plate is also parallel to the carrier plate and can also be swiveled.