Vending machine and vending method and vending system therefor

    公开(公告)号:US11501594B2

    公开(公告)日:2022-11-15

    申请号:US16966435

    申请日:2019-01-23

    摘要: A vending machine (100) and a vending method and vending system (1000) therefor, the vending machine (100) comprising a machine body (10), a door body (20), and at least one layer of shelves (30) and a weighing device (40) that are installed inside the machine body (10). The vending method comprises: collecting the weight of products on a shelf before and after vending (S1); calculating the difference of the change between the weight of the products on the shelf before vending and the weight of the products on the shelf after vending (S2); and if the difference of the change is less than a first weight change threshold, issuing an alarm prompt (S3), wherein the first weight change threshold is less than or equal to zero. Using the present invention may promptly determine the misplacement and replacement of the products without relying on an RFID tag.

    Obstruction detection of a transaction device display screen

    公开(公告)号:US11488454B2

    公开(公告)日:2022-11-01

    申请号:US17247100

    申请日:2020-11-30

    IPC分类号: G07F9/00 G09G5/10 G07F19/00

    摘要: In some implementations, a transaction device may include a display screen, at least one photosensitive sensor configured to detect a luminance of a viewing surface of the display screen, and one or more processors. The one or more processors may be configured to monitor an output of the at least one photosensitive sensor, determine that the output is indicative of an obstruction on the display screen based on the output indicating a change to the luminance of the viewing surface of the display screen, and disable one or more operations of the transaction device based on determining that the output is indicative of the obstruction on the display screen.

    Method and system for performing mobile device-to-machine payments

    公开(公告)号:US11488174B2

    公开(公告)日:2022-11-01

    申请号:US16934392

    申请日:2020-07-21

    申请人: PAYRANGE INC.

    发明人: Paresh K. Patel

    摘要: 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.

    Intermediary communications over non-persistent network connections

    公开(公告)号:US11475454B2

    公开(公告)日:2022-10-18

    申请号:US16748727

    申请日:2020-01-21

    申请人: PAYRANGE INC.

    摘要: A mobile device with a first transceiver, a second transceiver, one or more processors, and memory bridges communications between an offline retail machine with a short-range communication capability and a remote server by obtaining via the first transceiver a single-use request code from an information packet broadcast by the offline retail machine; transmitting via the second transceiver the single-use request code to a remote server; obtaining via the second transceiver from the remote server a grant token including the single-use request code; detecting a trigger condition for initiating provision of a product or service by the offline retail machine; and in response to detecting the trigger condition, initiating performance of the provision of the product or service by transmitting the grant token to the offline retail machine via the first transceiver.

    Chameleon sole station footwear apparatus

    公开(公告)号:US11470987B1

    公开(公告)日:2022-10-18

    申请号:US17529024

    申请日:2021-11-17

    申请人: Abdul Luke Gomez

    发明人: Abdul Luke Gomez

    摘要: A footwear apparatus, comprising receptacles, having a mechanism that automatically removes and replaces interchangeable sole footwear parts; an automatic complete new sole dispenser; an automatic new sole heel dispenser; a complete old sole recycling automatic ejection component; an old sole heel dispenser automatic ejection component; a computer-implemented method for serving footwear and footwear soles to consumers from a vending machine; a computer-implemented foot scanning device, wherein said apparatus is comprised of a configuration to automatically replace the sole or partial sole of a pair or pairs of footwear.

    Virtual payment system and method for dispensing fuel

    公开(公告)号:US11443582B2

    公开(公告)日:2022-09-13

    申请号:US16702408

    申请日:2019-12-03

    发明人: Michael Derby

    摘要: A system facilitating payment for fuel dispensing includes a fuel dispenser associated with a current-loop-to-ethernet converter for receiving serial data from a fuel dispenser controller and converting said serial data to an ethernet signal and a network appliance coupled the current-loop-to-ethernet converter by an ethernet port. A virtual payment facilitator is connected to the network appliance over a VPN and to a payment authorization entity, also over a VPN. A process performed by the system includes receiving a fueling request at the virtual payment facilitator from the payment authorization entity and converting that request into a command issued to the fuel dispenser to dispense fuel.

    SELF-SERVICE APPARATUS WITH THREE-LAYER SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE

    公开(公告)号:US20220198869A1

    公开(公告)日:2022-06-23

    申请号:US17599862

    申请日:2020-04-22

    IPC分类号: G07F9/00 G05F1/46

    摘要: The present disclosure relates to a self-service apparatus having a three-layer system architecture, which includes an application-layer device, an intermediate-layer device, and bottom-layer peripheral devices. The application-layer device is configured to provide a user interface for self-service and control the entire self-service apparatus according to an interaction with the user to provide the user with required self-service, and comprises a first processor and a first memory. The first processor executes an application program stored in the first memory and communicates with the intermediate-layer device. The intermediate-layer device comprises a terminal control module which comprises a second processor and a second memory. The second processor communicates with the bottom-layer peripheral devices, and the second processor executes a control program stored in the second memory to control operations of the peripheral devices based on an instruction from the application-layer device. The peripheral devices do not communicate with the application-layer device directly.

    WAGER MARKET CREATION AND MANAGEMENT

    公开(公告)号:US20220157130A1

    公开(公告)日:2022-05-19

    申请号:US17588435

    申请日:2022-01-31

    摘要: Methods and systems for managing a wagering system may receive a stream of state information of a live sporting event in real time and determine initial and possible future states of a first performance parameter of the event based on the stream. After a beginning of the game and before the start of the event, a probability of occurrence is calculated for possible future states of the first performance parameter, based on historical data. During an initial state of the first performance parameter, a signal operative to open a first market for betting on the possible future states based on the probability of occurrence is transmitted. Before an end of the initial state, a signal operative to close the first market is transmitted, and then an outcome of the first performance parameter is determined based on the stream. Payouts of the first market are resolved based on the outcome.

    Touchless Modular Containment System

    公开(公告)号:US20220092905A1

    公开(公告)日:2022-03-24

    申请号:US17479434

    申请日:2021-09-20

    IPC分类号: G07F9/00 G07F11/18

    摘要: A touchless modular containment system for delivering one or more articles to a person includes a modular frame that defines a plurality of discrete cubbies. Each cubby has a front door that is coupled to the modular frame and includes a sliding drawer assembly for controllably delivering the one or more articles to the person. The sliding drawer assembly has a base tray that is secured to the modular frame. The sliding drawer assembly has a movable traveler assembly that defines a top surface of the sliding drawer assembly and moves between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position. A front of the traveler assembly is positioned relative to and adjacent the front door such that forward driving of the traveler assembly toward the fully extended position opens the front door by the traveler assembly urging the front door open without any interaction between the person and the front door.

    FAULT DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS FOR ELECTRICALLY OPERATED SMOKING DEVICES

    公开(公告)号:US20220005001A1

    公开(公告)日:2022-01-06

    申请号:US17481597

    申请日:2021-09-22

    摘要: A method for supplying products for electrically operated smoking systems is provided, including: delivering to a remote user device from a central server over a network connection order option information associated with a vending machine; receiving an order from the remote user device, the order including an indication of a product available from the vending machine, and user identification information; retrieving registered user information, including user authentication information associated with user identification information; receiving user authentication information from a user; and if the received user authentication information matches the retrieved user authentication information, delivering the product to the user at the vending machine.