Autonomous rental store
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorSteven R. Janda
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method is provided for managing rental equipment including sensing the identity of a customer and providing the customer access to a first secure area connected to a plurality of second secured areas, one of which includes a piece of equipment to be rented by the customer. The customer is provided access to the second secure area that includes the piece of equipment to be rented by the customer. The system can be used for rental equipment pick up or return and pick up of goods for purchase.
Claims34
A method of managing rental equipment, comprising the steps of:
- sensing the identity of a customer;
- selectively providing the customer access to a first secure area based upon the sensed identity, the first secure area being connected to a plurality of second secure areas, one of which includes a piece of equipment to be rented by the customer;
- selectively providing the customer access to the second secure area based upon the sensed identity, the second secure area including the piece of equipment to be rented by the customer.
A method of managing rental equipment, comprising the steps of:
- sensing the identity of a customer;
- selectively providing the customer access to a secure area based upon the sensed identity, the secure area including a piece of equipment to be rented by the customer;
- sensing an identifier on the piece of equipment as the equipment is moved within a predetermined distance from an exit of the secure area;
- and
- allowing the customer to remove the piece of equipment from the secure area.
A method of managing rental equipment, comprising the steps of:
- sensing the identity of a customer;
- selectively providing the customer access to one of a plurality of secure areas based upon the sensed identity, the one secure area containing a piece of equipment to be rented by the customer;
- and
- allowing the customer to remove the piece of equipment from the one secure area.
A system for managing rental equipment, comprising:
- a first secure area;
- a plurality of second secure areas accessible from the first secure area, one of which is assigned to a customer;
- and
- an access controller that selectively allows the customer to access the second secure area assigned to the customer.
A system for managing rental equipment, comprising:
- a secure area including a piece of equipment to be rented by a customer;
- an access controller that selectively allows the customer to access the secure area when an identity of the customer is verified;
- and
- a sensor that senses an identifier on the piece of equipment and directs the access controller to allow the customer to remove the piece of equipment from the secure area when the identifier on the piece of equipment corresponds to the identity of the customer.
A method of managing goods, comprising the steps of:
- sensing the identity of a customer;
- selectively providing the customer access to a first secure area based upon the sensed identity, the first secure area being connected to a plurality of second secure areas, one of which includes goods to be purchased by the customer;
- selectively providing the customer access to the second secure area based upon the sensed identity, the second secure area including the goods to be purchased by the customer.
A system for providing goods to a customer, comprising:
- a first secure area;
- a plurality of second secure areas accessible from the first secure area, one of which is assigned to a customer;
- and
- an access controller that selectively allows the customer to access the second secure area assigned to the customer.
A method of managing rental equipment, comprising the steps of:
- sensing the identity of a customer;
- selectively providing the customer access to a secure area based upon the sensed identity, the secure area associated with the customer;
- and
- sensing an identifier on a piece of equipment as the equipment is moved within a predetermined distance from an entrance of the secure area.
A method of managing goods, comprising the steps of:
- sensing the identity of a customer;
- selectively providing the customer access to a secure area based upon the sensed identity, the secure area including goods to be purchased by the customer;
- sensing an identifier on the goods as the goods are moved within a predetermined distance from an exit of the secure area;
- and
- allowing the customer to remove the goods from the secure area.
A system for managing goods, comprising:
- a secure area including goods to be purchased by a customer;
- an access controller that selectively allows the customer to access the secure area when an identity of the customer is verified;
- and
- a sensor that senses an identifier on the goods and directs the access controller to allow the customer to remove the goods from the secure area when the identifier on the goods corresponds to the identity of the customer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.