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Description  |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to drive-up retail facilities for
vending and/or distributing a multitude of consumer products, and more
specifically, to a drive-up retail facility having improved automation
capabilities.
Generally speaking, presently known vending/distribution facilities
fundamentally operate on human interaction. Such vending distribution
facilities suffer the drawback that the need for human interaction creates
a significant inconvenience for potential customers. More specifically,
potential customers/vendees must physically browse through a particular
retail facility where goods may then be purchased from an
attendant/cashier. Thus, customers are burdened by the amount of time and
expense involved in shopping in the retail facility and waiting for
service.
Several attempts have been made to overcome these drawbacks. For example,
U.S. Pat. No. 5,158,155 to Domain et al discloses a vendors' complex
formed from a central warehouse facility, several customer order stations
interconnected with the warehouse facility, several customer pick-up
stations interconnected with the warehouse facility, and a network of
vehicle routing lanes extending through the warehouse facility and passing
by the customer order stations and pick-up stations. Customers using the
Complex are directed along the routing lanes to an order station where
they place orders for goods and/or services provided by the vendors housed
in the Vendors' Complex. The customers are then directed to drive to a
particular pick-up station where they receive their ordered goods. The
central warehouse facility provides a means of storing consumer goods,
preparing goods, and performing services for customers of the Vendors'
Complex.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,805,738 to Vayda, discloses a single stop shopping facility
formed from a plurality of customer stations, each including a vehicle
parking space, which are arranged around the exterior of a circular
building containing goods for sale, The customer stations and building
rotate relative to one another. The building includes a loading station
for delivering selected goods ordered at the customer stations. The walls
of the building support merchandise display sections which are viewable by
persons located at the customer stations, the displays being cyclically
exposed to the parked vehicles as a result of the relative rotation,
permitting the selection and payment for merchandise as the relative
rotation continues. After a lapse of a predetermined time interval, the
rotation of the customer station positions the loading station adjacent to
the vehicle from which merchandise was ordered.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,073,368 to Mustapick discloses an automated merchandising
system where customers may drive their automobiles into a parking area and
order desired goods, pay for and receive the goods while remaining in
their automobiles. A goods storage building is located remotely from and
electronically interconnected with the parking area. At the parking area a
plurality of automobile receiving locations are provided each with a
communicator equipped with video means for viewing goods available at the
remote building and with keyboard and voice means for transmitting to said
remote building a goods order. Goods so ordered are assembled, tabulated
and delivered by order clerks or automated picking equipment.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,647,026 to Alexander et al discloses an automatic drive-in
store structure having in its upper portion a warehouse for storing a
multiplicity of diverse retail items within individual dispenser units,
and in its lower portion a plurality of parking stalls for vehicles, each
stall being provided with a console control apparatus which is equipped
with a plurality of item selector panels for use by a motorist. Retail
items may be ordered and then dispensed from the respective dispenser unit
responsive to an electronic control means and delivered through a system
of conveyors to the automobile. The console control apparatus is provided
with a closed circuit television which is in circuit with a video camera
for transmitting a picture of a selected item onto a television screen,
and a moneychanger unit which returns the correct change after registering
the amount submitted and subtracting the total price of the items
selected.
While each of the above-noted patents describe vending facilities which
provide a certain degree of automated shopping for a customer, a need
still exists for a vending facility which provides a more efficient and
automated system, while easily integrating and accommodating additional
customer services, such as disseminating prepurchase product and/or sales
information.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved
automated vending facility which can allow all sales transactions to be
completely performed without a customer leaving their vehicle.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an automated
vending facility having automatic customer identification capabilities
when a customer selects goods which are subject to sales restrictions.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an automated
vending facility having an improved goods order input/retrieval system and
integrated inventory management capabilities.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an automated
vending system having improved product promotional marketing capabilities.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an automated
winding facility which can be integrated with an automated banking system,
and an automated vehicle refueling system.
In accordance with the present invention, an automated vending facility and
system comprises a storage facility for housing a plurality of saleable
goods, wherein the sale of at least some of the plurality of saleable
goods may be subject to particular sales restrictions, at least one
customer input means positioned outside of the storage facility which is
accessible to an occupant of a vehicle when the vehicle is positioned
adjacent to the at least one input means, and an automated goods retrieval
means located within the storage facility which is responsive to the at
least one customer input means for retrieving any goods which are selected
for purchase by a customer. A goods dispensing means delivers the goods
retrieved by the retrieval means to the customer. In addition, a purchase
authorization means is provided having means for detecting customer
selection of one of the goods subject to sales restrictions, means
responsive to the detection means for automatically providing direct
communication between the customer and an authorization/sales attendant,
means for communicating customer identification information to the
authorization attendant, and means remotely operated by the authorization
attendant for enabling completion of the restricted goods sales
transaction upon attendant verification of acceptable customer
identification information.
In accordance with a another aspect of the present invention, an automated
drive-up vending system comprises a storage facility for housing a
plurality of saleable goods may be subject to particular sales
restrictions, at least one customer input means positioned outside of the
storage facility which is accessible to an occupant of a vehicle when the
vehicle is positioned adjacent to the at least one input means, and an
automated goods retrieval means located within the storage facility which
is responsive to the at least one customer input means for retrieving any
goods which are selected for purchase by a customer. A goods dispensing
means delivers the goods retrieved by the retrieval means to the customer.
In addition, a means for storing customer purchase information is provided
to accumulate a purchase history, and a means for analyzing the purchase
history is provided to determine a customer purchase profile for use in
marketing particular goods.
In further accordance with the present invention, a method for automated
vending of consumer products which are inventoried in a vending facility
having a video means for displaying the inventoried products to a
customer, input means for receiving customer information and product
selections, and means for retrieving and dispersing to the customer the
selected products from their inventoried location within the facility,
wherein the method comprises the steps of using the video display means to
prompt a customer to input customer identification information with the
input means, determining a customer profile based on the input
identification information, and determining whether the customer profile
satisfies a first set of predetermined product promotional criteria. If
the customer profile satisfies the first set of promotional criteria, a
first predetermined product promotional arrangement is activated. In any
event, at least one customer requested product selection menu is provided
on the video display means. Then the customer's product selections are
received from the input means, the selected products are retrieved from
the vending facility, and the retrieved products are dispensed to the
customer.
The method can further comprise the steps of determining whether at least
one customer requested product selection menu satisfies a second set of
predetermined product promotional criteria, and activating a second
predetermined promotional arrangement if the second set of predetermined
criteria are satisfied. The first and/or second set of predetermined
products promotional arrangements are designed to promote designated
products prior to the customer ending the vending transaction. Such
arrangements can include dispensing discount savings coupons and/or free
product samples to the customer prior to the selecting of products, and
activating predetermined audio and/or video advertising to the customer
while they are shopping. The customer profile can be based on promotional
criteria such as past product purchasing history, brand loyalty, and/or
other pre-stored demographic data.
The present invention will be more fully understood upon reading the
following detailed description of the preferred embodiment in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automated drive-up vending structure in
accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematic for the vending control system of the
present invention;
FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic illustration taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating operation of the interactive customer
ordering method;
FIG. 5 is an illustration of an "aisle" selection menu image; and
FIG. 6 is an illustration of a transaction summary check-out menu image.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention comprises an automated drive-up
vending facility 10 having a plurality of automatic transaction machines
(ATM) 12 located around the periphery of a storage building 14. The ATM is
arranged to facilitate customers driving their vehicles along side the
building 14, inserting an account/debit card into a card reader 16, and
making product selections via a touch screen display terminal 18. The
consumer goods are stocked within the building 14, and an automated
picking/sorting subsystem 20 controllably retrieves the selected products
for deposit into a dispensing chute 22. As described more fully
hereinbelow, selection/product information is provided at the display
terminals via an interactive menu driven program. The purchase price of
each selected product is automatically totaled and recorded against the
customer's account.
The automated facility 10 of the present invention incorporates a vending
system 100 as shown in block diagram in FIG. 2. More specifically, each
ATM unit 12 includes the card reader device 16 and the touch screen input
video display device 18 described above, a product discount coupon
dispensing device 24, and video conferencing equipment 26.
Each ATM unit 12 is bidirectionally coupled to a control processor means
102, which is bidirectionally coupled to the automated picking/sorting
subsystem 20, discount coupon dispenser 24, and a customer
identification/sale authorization subsystem 104. In addition to
controlling the vending system 100, the control processor 102 can provide
a bidirectional transaction connection between a separate banking network
subsystem 106 and/or an optional automated robotic vehicle refueling
subsystem 108. One exemplary form for the optional automated robotic
vehicle refueling subsystem can include a special gas tank cap/pump nozzle
adaptor having a transponder means incorporated thereon. The special gas
cap is used in place of the vehicle's original gas tank cap. The fueling
robot can include a integrated pump nozzle robotic fuel delivery arm which
interacts with the gas cap transponder means to provide automatic
alignment and insertion of the pump nozzle into the nozzle adaptor portion
of the gas cap.
Further, the control processor 102 performs all transaction accounting,
inventory status monitoring, and record keeping. More specifically, all
transactions are itemized and recorded with the particular customer's
account in a memory means 110. Thus, the present invention obviates the
need for cash payment at the end of a sales transaction, and provides a
record of a particular customer's overall purchase history which can be
tracked for use such as in targeting customers for product marketing
promotions. As described more fully hereinbelow, this ability to record a
customer's purchase history allows the present invention to provide
dramatically enhanced product marketing opportunities over conventional
vending facilities. With respect to the location of the account record
memory, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that
account record memory means 110 can be located at each particular vending
facility, or alternatively could be located at a remote central location,
with access to each vending facility control provided by a conventional
modem/telephone line connection.
The control processor 102 stores appropriate inventory status and record
keeping data in a memory means 112. As a particular item is stocked, all
relevant information about the item is recorded into memory 112, and as
each item is purchased, the inventory record is updated. Thus, at any
particular point in time, the control processor 102 has a complete record
of inventory in stock within the vending facility 10. Specific information
and/or product bibliographic data concerning each product is additionally
stored in a memory means 114.
In further accordance with present invention, the control processor 102 is
able to use the inventory record memory 112 as a means for automatically
tracking and removing dated and/or perishable goods from the inventory by
knowing precisely when the particular expiration dates will occur.
Further, the control processor can control selection/dispensing of the
oldest goods in stock in response to a customer's purchase order for the
particular good.
As shown in FIG. 3, the automated picking/sorting subsystem 20 generally
comprises a plurality of specialized product storage units 202 positioned
within building 14 about a longitudinally extending, bidirectional
conveyor mechanism 204. Each of the product storage units 202 is designed
to store and discharge upon command a particular type of good, such as
bottles, cans, pharmaceutical goods, etc. Each storage unit 202 is
provided with an associated product discharge mechanism 206 which
effectively transports a selected product from the storage unit 202 to the
bidirectional conveyor mechanism 204. A pair of bidirectional dispensing
conveyor mechanisms 208 and 210 are each located at a respective end of
the bidirectional conveyor 204. The dispensing conveyor mechanisms 208 and
210 are arranged and positioned relative to conveyor mechanism 204 such
that the dispensing conveyor mechanisms controllably redirect the travel
of any goods reaching the ends of conveyor mechanism 204 to the
appropriate dispensing chute 22. Overall operation of the picking/sorting
subsystem 20 is controlled by processor 102.
Referring now to FIG. 4, operation of the interactive menu driven customer
input program initially provides a combination "welcome" screen and card
insertion prompt on video display device 18 at step 300. Upon appropriate
insertion of an account/debit card into card reader 16, an "aisle"
selection screen is displayed on the touch screen at step 302. The "aisle"
selection screen provides a classification of consumer goods according to
type. An example of such a screen image is illustrated in FIG. 5.
Selecting an "aisle" allows a customer to simulate conventional shopping
by permitting video browsing down an "aisle" of consumer goods.
Thus, in response to a customer's touch selection of a particular "aisle,"
an input screen is displayed at step 304 which visually simulates actual
products as they might appear in a conventional shelving arrangement. A
customer can scan through video images as though browsing up and down an
aisle, or move to a new aisle. If the customer touches the image of a
particular good displayed on the "aisle" screen at step 306, detailed
bibliographic information regarding the chosen product is displayed at
step 308. If the customer chooses to purchase the product, an appropriate
video icon is touched on the screen 18. If purchasing of a product is
detected at step 310, processor 102 determines whether a restricted good,
such as alcohol or tobacco, has been selected at step 312. If a restricted
good has not been selected, the number of goods purchased is tallied and
the amount is totaled at step 318. If the product is not selected for
purchase, the customer is returned to the previous "aisle" screen at step
320.
If purchase of a restricted good is detected at step 312, the processor 102
automatically activates the identification/authorization subsystem 104,
which subsequently activates the video conferencing equipment 26 at step
314. Activation of video conferencing equipment 26 places the customer in
direct communication with a sales attendant (who can be located on-site or
at a remote location), where the customer is asked to provide purchase
authorization information such as by flashing a valid Identification to
the attendant, or inputing a valid password. If authorization is confirmed
at step 316, the attendant directs the system by way of a remotely
activated switch to go to step 318. If authorization is confirmed, the
attendant returns the system to step 302. It is worth noting that in
addition to the automatic activation at step 314, video conferencing
equipment 26 can be customer activated at the ATM 12 at any time during
the transaction if the customer desires assistance or information from an
attendant.
After the customer has finished shopping and all the desired goods have
been selected, the customer touches a check-out video icon which causes
display of a transaction summary screen at step 322. The transaction
summary screen provides an itemized listing of all goods selected and the
total transaction price. An example of a transaction summary image is
illustrated in FIG. 6 wherein product type is listed at 322(a), number of
units selected at 322(b), unit price at 322(c), and total price at 322(d).
The customer is provided with an option to "put back" items before
check-out is finalized. Upon finalizing of the transaction, the selected
goods are retrieved at step 324 as described hereinabove. The system then
returns to, the "welcome" screen at step 326.
Thus, the present invention provides an automated method and system for
drive-up vending of consumer products which advantageously improves ease
and flexibility of the interactive customer selection program, while
integrating inventory and customer purchase history tracking into the
overall vending control system. Tracking of a customer's past purchasing
history (such as for frequency of product purchase or brand loyalty)
allows the present invention to accurately target selected customers for
improved strategic product promotional plans, such as dispensing discount
savings coupons through coupon dispensing device 24 and/or displaying
video advertising on screen 18, prior to the targeted customer actually
purchasing any goods. The enhanced customer targeting feature of the
present invention provides an ability to influence customers just prior to
their purchase. In addition to the tracking of a customer's purchase
history, the automated vending arrangement of the present invention
provides other enhanced marketing capabilities which can influence a
customer's purchase decisions just prior to selection or check out. For
example, since the processor 102 knows which video aisle a customer may be
browsing, preprogrammed company and/or product jingles can be matched with
particular aisles and subsequently played over an audio system as a
customer browses in the aisle. Further, a customer's personal data can be
stored with the account number to provide a demographic profile which
permits particular segments of the shopping population to be selectively
targeted for coupon and/or promotional sample dispensing. Also, since only
video facsimiles of the products are displayed in an "aisle" format, the
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