COMPUTER-CONTROLLED, UNATTENDED, AUTOMATED CHECKOUT STORE OUTLET AND RELATED METHOD

摘要

A computer-controlled, automated checkout store outlet comprises at least one bay. A normally locked door is associated with each bay, and provides access to items within the bay by customers approved by a computer of the automated store outlet. At least one tray is disposed within at least one bay, and adapted to hold items to be stocked by the bay. A sensor system is configured to detect the removal of an item from the bay and identify the removed item, such as when a customer is removing the item for purchase.

主权项

1. A method for granting access to and tracking purchases from a computer-controlled, automated store outlet, comprising the steps of:
providing a computer-controlled, automated store outlet having a plurality of bays, each bay containing items removable from the bay for purchase and a normally locked door; a customer inputting customer identification into a door access unit associated with a bay of the automated store outlet; unlocking the door of the bay associated with the door access unit after verifying the customer identification so as to provide access to the bay by the customer; detecting the identity of each item removed from the bay by the customer; adding the removed items to an electronic shopping cart for the customer displayed on a computer-controlled display unit of the automated store outlet; automatically locking each bay door once the bay door is closed; closing the purchase transaction of the customer by charging the customer for the items in the customer's electronic shopping cart when the customer closes the transaction or after a predetermined period of inactivity by the customer.