Computer controlled rental and sale system and method for a supermarket and the like

A computer-controlled system for receiving items from an authorized customer, the system having a cabinet that is normally locked, the system comprising:

• (a) customer identification means for determining if a customer is an authorized customer, whereby said authorized customer may utilize the system;
• (b) return declaration means for producing return information indicative of the identity of an item which the authorized customer intends for the system to receive;
• (c) access means for providing said authorized customer with access during an access time period to an accessed cabinet that is normally locked so that the authorized customer may replace the item which he desires to return to the system into any slot of the accessed cabinet;
• (d) item monitoring means for producing inventory information indicative of the replacement of items into any slot of the accessed cabinet during the access time period;
• and
• (e) access termination means, responsive to the item monitoring means and the return declaration means, for terminating access to the accessed cabinet so as to lock the cabinet when a comparison of the inventory information and the return information indicates that the authorized customer has returned a number of items equal to the number of items the return information indicates have been returned.

A computer-controlled system for distributing and receiving items to and from an authorized customer, the system having a cabinet that is normally locked, the system comprising:

• (a) customer identification means for determining if a customer is an authorized customer, whereby said authorized customer may utilize the system;
• (b) access initiation means, associated with said customer identification means, for providing said authorized customer with access during an access time period to an accessed cabinet that is normally locked so that the authorized customer may remove and/or replace any of the items contained within said accessed cabinet;
• (c) declaration means for producing selection information indicative of the identity of each item which the authorized customer declares for distribution, and for producing return information indicative of the identity of an item which the authorized customer intends for the system to receive;
• (d) item monitoring means for producing inventory information indicative of the removal and/or replacement of each item within said accessed cabinet during the accessed time period;
• and
• (e) access termination means, responsive to said item monitoring means and said access imitation means, for terminating access of said accessed cabinet so as to lock the cabinet when either,
• (1) a comparison of the inventory information and the selection information indicates that the authorized customer has declared for distribution a number of items equal to the number of items said inventory information indicates have been removed during the access period, or
• (2) a comparison of the inventory information and the return information indicates that the authorized customer has returned a number of items equal to the number of items the return information indicates have been returned.

A computer-controlled method for distributing items to an authorized customer, which method comprises the steps of:

• (a) identifying an authorized customer;
• (b) granting access to said authorized customer during an access time period to the items contained within a locked cabinet, whereby said authorized customer may remove and/or replace said items;
• (c) monitoring the removal of items from said cabinet and the replacement of items to said cabinet during said access time period so as to produce inventory information;
• (d) inputting a selection declaration from said authorized customer for producing selection information indicative of the identity of each item which said authorized customer declares for distribution;
• and
• (e) terminating access to said accessed cabinet when a comparison of said selection information and said inventory information indicates that he authorized customer has declared for distribution a number of items equal to the number of items said inventory information indicates have been removed during the access time period.

A computer-controlled method for receiving items from an authorized customer into a cabinet which is normally locked the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) identifying an authorized customer;
• (b) granting access to the authorized customer during an access time period to an accessed cabinet that normally locked so that the authorized customer may replace the item being returned;
• (c) inputting a return declaration from the authorized customer indicative of the item being returned so as to produce return information;
• and
• (d) monitoring the replacement of items to said accessed cabinet during said access time period so as to produce inventory information;
• and
• (e) terminating access by said authorized customer to said accessed cabinet in accordance with a comparison of said return information and said inventory information.

A computer-controlled method for distributing items to, and receiving items from, an authorized customer utilizing a cabinet that is normally locked, which method comprises the steps of:

• (a) identifying an authorized customer;
• (b) granting access to said authorized customer during an access time period to an accessed cabinet so that said authorized customer may replace and/or remove an item into or out of said accessed cabinet;
• (c) monitoring the removal and/or replacement of items from said accessed cabinet during said access time period so as to produce inventory information;
• (d) inputting a return declaration if said authorized customer desires to return a previously dispensed item so as to produce return information;
• (e) inputting a selection declaration if said authorized customer desires to receive an item from said accessed cabinet so as to produce selection information;
• and
• (f) terminating access of said authorized customer to said accessed cabinet if said inventory information corresponds in a predetermined manner with said selection information or said return information.