Electronic ordering of goods with delivery by automatic drive-up storage device
First Claim
1. A method for the order and delivery of goods, comprising the steps of:
- receiving an order for one or more items via an electronic communications medium;
locating the one or more items;
transporting the one or more items to a locked storage container containing multiple orders;
identifying the order by an individual who appears at the locked storage container;
retrieving the order automatically and presenting it to the individual through a delivery window.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for the order and delivery of goods in which the goods are transported to one or more storage containers that are maintained in a drive-up storage, retrieval, and dispensing mechanism. Goods are ordered via the Internet, telephone, or other electronic method, retrieved from a warehouse or store, and transported to the storage container by truck or by a regional train system designed for passenger use. The storage container accepts packages, which are placed into a plastic storage box and moved by an elevator assembly to a particular storage bin located in a matrix of bins arranged in columns and rows. When a customer arrives to pick up a package, he or she drives up to the device and communicates with the system via a keypad and display screen to identify the order and present appropriate identification of the person or other means of maintaining security. A computer verifies the identification and retrieves the storage box, presenting it to the window of the vehicle driving up at an appropriate height so that the customer can retrieve the package. The use of a handheld wireless device by the customer can aid in ordering, checking order status, obtaining directions, providing identification, and retrieving the order.
152 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for the order and delivery of goods, comprising the steps of:
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receiving an order for one or more items via an electronic communications medium;
locating the one or more items;
transporting the one or more items to a locked storage container containing multiple orders;
identifying the order by an individual who appears at the locked storage container;
retrieving the order automatically and presenting it to the individual through a delivery window. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An apparatus for the order and delivery of goods, comprising:
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an electronic device for placing orders;
a locked storage container containing multiple orders;
a mechanism for communicating with an individual who appears at the locked storage container and identifies a particular order;
an automated system that retrieves the goods associated with the order requested by the individual and presents the goods to the individual through a delivery window.
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Specification