System and method for automatic ordering and direct underground distribution of articles to customers

• US 5,720,363 A
• Filed: 12/15/1995
• Issued: 02/24/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Xylon LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Ludwig Kipp
• Inventors: Kipp, Ludwig
• Primary Examiner(s): BARTUSKA, FRANCIS JOHN
• Application Number:
  US08/573,462
• Time in Patent Office: 802 Days
• Field of Search: 186/38, 186/52, 186/55, 186/56, 186/58, 186/7, 186/28, 104/138.1, 104/88.02, 104/88.03, 104/88.04, 104/88.05, 104/88.06, 105/365, 235/383
• US Class Current: 186/55
• CPC Class Codes: B61B 13/10 Tunnel systems pneumatic tubes conveyors B65G ; B61C15/045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 23/005 Automatic control or safety means for points for operator-less railway, e.g. transportation systems
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 27/04 Automatic systems, e.g. controlled by train; Change-over to manual control

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and method for computer-controlled, automated shopping which enables an authorized customer to order an article from a central processing center and have the article automatically delivered via an underground tunnel network.

Claims

1. A computer-controlled, automated shopping system for distributing an article from a processing center to an authorized customer upon demand comprising:

(a) ordering means, whereby an authorized customer can order a specific article from a processing center;

(b) underground distribution means including a transport system connecting said processing center with a delivery location specified by said authorized customer and a vehicle operable on said underground distribution means for automatically conveying said article from said processing center to said delivery location; and

(c) means whereby said vehicle is thereafter returned to said processing center after unloading of said article at said delivery location;

said transport system comprising;

(a) an interconnecting underground tunnel network allowing movement of a vehicle between said processing center and said delivery location specified by said authorized customer;

(b) a port situated along the length of said underground tunnel network, said port corresponding to said delivery location specified by said authorized customer; and

(c) vehicle transfer means positioned proximate said port, said vehicle transfer means capable of automatically removing said vehicle from said underground tunnel network and releasing said vehicle into said underground tunnel network.

2. The transport system of claim 1, wherein said vehicle comprises an unmanned wagon adapted for automatic, controlled movement within an underground tunnel network, said wagon being configured such that it can be loaded with at least one article.

3. The transport system of claim 1, wherein said vehicle is guided in said underground tunnel network on a rail guidance system.

4. The transport system of claim 1, wherein said vehicle is guided in said underground tunnel network on a rail-less guidance system.

5. The transport system of claim 1, wherein transport of said vehicle within said underground tunnel network is controlled by computer means.

6. A computer-controlled, automated shopping system for distributing an article from a processing center to an authorized customer upon demand comprising:

(a) an ordering means, whereby an authorized customer can order a specific article from a processing center;

(b) accounting means, whereby said authorized customer can pay for said article, said accounting means comprising account credit and/or debit means;

(c) retrieval means, whereby said article can be retrieved from a storage area and placed in a vehicle adapted for automatic transport within an underground distribution means;

(d) underground distribution means including a transport system connecting said processing center with a delivery location specified by said authorized customer and a vehicle operable on said underground distribution means for automatically conveying said article from said processing center to said delivery location;

(e) signalling means, whereby arrival of said vehicle at said delivery location is indicated; and

(f) means whereby said vehicle is thereafter returned to said processing center after unloading of said article at said delivery location;

said transport system comprising;

(a) an interconnecting underground tunnel network allowing movement of a vehicle between said processing center and said delivery location specified by said authorized customer;

(b) a port situated along the length of said underground tunnel network, said port corresponding to said delivery location specified by said authorized customer; and

(c) vehicle transfer means positioned proximate said port, said vehicle transfer means capable of automatically removing said vehicle from said underground tunnel network and re-entering said vehicle into said underground tunnel network.

7. The transport system of claim 6, wherein said vehicle comprises an unmanned wagon adapted for automatic, controlled movement within an underground tunnel network, said wagon being configured such that it can be loaded with at least one article.

8. The transport system of claim 6, wherein said vehicle is guided in said underground tunnel network on a rail guidance system.

9. The transport system of claim 6, wherein said vehicle is guided in said underground tunnel network on a rail-less guidance system.

10. The transport system of claim 6, wherein transport of said vehicle within said underground tunnel network is controlled by computer means.

11. A method for computer-controlled, automated shopping whereby an article can be distributed from a processing center to an authorized customer upon demand, comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving an order for an article from an authorized customer;

(b) placing said article in a vehicle adapted for automatic transport in an underground transport system;

(c) transporting said article in said vehicle to a predetermined destination specified by said authorized customer; and

(d) returning said vehicle to said processing center after unloading of said article;

said transporting step further comprising an interconnecting underground tunnel network programming a vehicle for automatic movement between said processing center and said delivery location specified by said authorized customer through said underground tunnel network to a port situated along the length of said underground tunnel network corresponding to said delivery location specified by said authorized customer, and removing said vehicle from said underground tunnel network to permit said vehicle to be unloaded, and thereafter releasing said vehicle into said underground tunnel network for returning said vehicle to said processing center.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising retrieving said article from a storage area.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising signalling the arrival of said vehicle at said predetermined location.

14. A method for computer-controlled, automated shopping whereby an article can be distributed from a processing center to an authorized customer upon demand, comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving an order for an article from an authorized customer;

(b) retrieving said article from a storage area;

(c) placing said article in a vehicle adapted for automatic transport in an underground transport system;

(d) transporting said article in said vehicle to a predetermined destination specified by said authorized customer;

(e) signalling arrival of said vehicle at said predetermined location; and

(f) returning said vehicle to said processing center after unloading of said article;

said transporting step further comprising an interconnecting underground tunnel network programming a vehicle for automatic movement between said processing center and said delivery location specified by said authorized customer through said underground tunnel network to a port situated along the length of said underground tunnel network corresponding to said delivery location specified by said authorized customer, and removing said vehicle from said underground tunnel network to permit said vehicle to be unloaded, and thereafter releasing said vehicle into said underground tunnel network for returning said vehicle to said processing center.