Automated store technologies
AssigneeSwyft Inc.
InventorsGower SMITH, Lincoln SMITH
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatuses and methods provide an automated store with a number of product locations and a fetch and delivery bucket that conveys product from a shelf location to a delivery location. Cameras and sensors within the automated store acquire data that may be stored in a remote database and analyzed to improve the reliability of the delivery process. Camera images may also be used to re-position the fetch and delivery bucket in real time, to provide images of actual, available product to consumers via a remote interface, to determine inventory, and to monitor the activities of replenishers and service personnel, and to generally operate the automated store remotely.
Claims21
1-20. (canceled)
An automated store, comprising:
- a processor;
- and
- a memory coupled to the processor and storing instructions that, when executed by the processor perform operations, comprising:
- controlling movement of platform between a first platform position adjacent to a product location and a second platform position adjacent to a dispensing area;
- causing movement of a security door from a first position, in which access to the platform is hindered, to a second position in which access to the platform is not hindered;
- and
- causing an image sensor to capture an image that includes at least part of the platform and at least part of a product location.
The automated store of claim 1, further comprising instructions for receiving sensor information that identifies an item in the dispensing area.
A method, comprising:
- causing movement of a platform within an automated store between a first platform position and a second platform position, the first platform position being adjacent to a product location and the second platform position being adjacent to a dispensing area;
- causing movement of a security door from a first door position to a second door position to provide access to the platform via the dispensing area;
- and
- causing an image capture device coupled to the platform to capture an image that includes at least part of the platform and at least part of the product location when the platform is at the first platform position.
An automated store, comprising:
- a product location;
- a platform movable between a first platform position associated with the product location and a second platform position adjacent to a dispensing area.
- a security door having a first door position that hinders access to the platform when the platform is not at the second position and allows access to the platform when the platform is at the second position;
- and
- an image capture device for capturing an image that includes at least part of the platform and at least part of the product location when the platform is at the first platform position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.