System and a Method for Facilitating the Provision of Goods
AssigneeSwyft Inc.
InventorLincoln Peter Smith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for facilitating the provision of goods using automated stores are provided. The automated stores are distributed across a geographical area and are remotely controlled to create an on-line marketplace. Users of the system can access the marketplace using an interactive portal to purchase items. Buyers can create purchase orders for items stocked in the marketplace and collect the items at one or more automated stores. The items are consigned to the buyers in real time at the automated store.
Claims26
A system for implementing a distributed automated marketplace comprising:
- a plurality of remotely controlled automated stores arranged to store physical items and dispense physical items to buyers, each store comprising a communication interface for communicating over a communication network;
- a management server arranged to communicate over the communication network with the plurality of remotely controlled automated stores and with a buyer communication device to provide a buyer with an interactive portal;
- a consignment module arranged to associate an item located at an automated store with a buyer;
- wherein
- the interactive portal is arranged to enable the buyer to create a purchase order for one or more items and forward the purchase order to the consignment module;
- and
- the consignment module is arranged to, in response to receiving the purchase order, process the purchase order, advise the buyer, via the interactive portal, of the availability of the one or more items and associate available items with the buyer, and one or more automated stores for collection of the physical item.
(canceled)
-18. (canceled)
A system for facilitating the provision of goods, comprising an ordering system, a communication device and a network of remotely controlled automated stores;
- the ordering system being arranged to receive an order for an item from a buyer device, and to associate the order with a buyer identifier;
- the ordering system further comprising a security module arranged to validate the buyer identifier, the security module, on validation of the buyer identifier, enabling provision of the associated item at a remotely controlled automated store.
-25. (canceled)
(canceled)
(canceled)
A device for retrofitting a vending machine comprising:
- a communication module arranged to communicate with a management server of an automated marketplace;
- an interactive module arranged to provide a buyer interactive interface for interacting with a buyer;
- and
- a vending machine communication interface arranged to communicate with a vending machine controller;
- wherein when the device is fitted to the vending machine, the buyer interface allows the buyer to:
- browse items stocked in the automated marketplace, create purchase orders for one or more of the items and collect the ordered items at one or more automated stores of the marketplace;
- or
- browse and purchase items stocked in the vending machine.
-45. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.