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Claims  |
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What is claimed is:
1. An improved storage system, comprising:
a plurality of storage facilities, each of said plurality of storage
facilities including a plurality of storage units and kiosk means for
providing automated rental transactions;
said kiosk means including processing means communicatively linked to user
feedback means for communicating sensory messages to a user and for
allowing a user to communicate information to said processing means, fee
collecting means for collecting fees from a user, printing means for
printing information, unique identification indicia accepting means for
allowing aL user to communicate unique identification indicia to said
processing means to generate a personalized contract, and electronic
communication means for establishing electronic communication with an
external processing unit, said processing means including memory means for
storing program instructions for controlling the operation of said user
feedback means, said fee collecting means, said printing means, said
unique identification indicia accepting means, and said electronic
communication means; and
central processing means communicatively linked to said kiosk means within
each of said plurality of storage facilities, said central processing
means including memory means for storing rental information for each of
said plurality of storage units within each of said plurality of storage
facilities;
whereby a user may use said kiosk means to access said rental information
stored in said memory means of said central processing means to
selectively rent one or a plurality of said storage units within one or
more of said plurality of storage facilities.
2. The improved storage system as set forth in claim 1 and further, said
processing means being capable of generating a rental agreement based on
personal information input by a user, said rental information, and said
unique identification indicia of said user, said processing means being
further equipped to direct said user feedback means to display said rental
agreement, said unique identification indicia accepting means allowing a
user to execute said rental agreement, and said printing means interacting
with said processing means to print said executed rental agreement.
3. The improved storage system as set forth in claim 1 and further, said
user feedback means comprising visual display means for visually
communicating information to a user.
4. The improved storage system as set forth in claim 3 and further, said
visual display means including a touch-sensitive screen display having
plurality of instructional icons wherein a user may control the operation
of said kiosk by manually touching said plurality of instructional icons.
5. The improved storage system as set forth in claim 1 and further, said
unique identification indicia accepting means comprising means for
allowing a user to generate a signature in electronic media to execute
said rental agreement.
6. The improved storage system as set forth in claim 1 and further, said
kiosk means including audio communication means for allowing a customer to
establish audio communication with an external audio source.
7. The improved storage system as set forth in claim 1 and further, said
kiosk means including video capture means for capturing video images of
information during a rental transaction for storage in said memory means.
8. The improved storage system as set forth in claim 1 and further, said
kiosk means including climate control means for controlling the climate
within said kiosk means, said climate control means including temperature
control means for controlling the temperature within said kiosk means,
ventilation control means for controlling the ventilation within said
kiosk means, and humidity control means for controlling the humidity
within said kiosk means.
9. The improved storage system as set forth in claim 1 and further, said
fee collecting means including credit card accepting means and check
accepting means.
10. The improved storage system as set forth in claim 3 and further, said
user feedback means including manual input means for permitting a user to
manually type in information for storage in said memory means and manually
inputting instructional commands.
11. A system for automating rental transactions in any of a plurality of
storage facilities, wherein each of said plurality of storage facilities
includes a plurality of storage units, comprising:
a central processing center having electronic storage means for storing
rental information for each of said plurality of storage units within each
of said plurality of storage facilities, communication means for
communicating with an external access system, and means for enabling the
rental of any of said plurality of storage units within said plurality of
storage facilities from said external access system by a user
independently of the location of the user, said external access system
allowing the user to communicate with said central processing center to
conduct a plurality of automated rental transactions.
12. The system as set forth in claim 11 and further, said external access
system comprising kiosk means associated with each of said plurality of
storage facilities for allowing a user to conduct said automated rental
transactions at each of said plurality of storage facilities without the
need for an attendant, said kiosk meads including user feedback means for
sending and receiving information to and from a user, fee collecting means
for collecting fees from a user, printing means for printing information,
unique identification indicia accepting means for allowing a user to
execute a contract, electronic communication means for establishing
electronic communication with said central processing center, and
processing means for coordinating the operation of said user feedback
means, said fee collecting means, said printing means, said unique
identification indicia accepting means, and electronic communication
means.
13. The system as set forth in claim 12 and further, said user feedback
means comprising visual display means for visually communicating
information to a user.
14. The system as set forth in claim 13 and further, said visual display
means including a touch-sensitive screen display having plurality of
instructional icons wherein a user may control the operation of said kiosk
by manually touching said plurality of instructional icons.
15. The system as set forth in claim 14 and further, said unique
identification indicia accepting means comprising means for allowing a
user to generate a signature in electronic media to execute said rental
agreement.
16. The system as set forth in claim 15 and further, said external access
means including video capture means for capturing video images of
information during a rental transaction.
17. The system as set forth in claim 16 and further, said fee collecting
means including credit card accepting means and check accepting means.
18. The system as set forth in claim 17 and further, said external access
means including audio communication means for allowing a customer to
establish audio communication with an external audio source.
19. The system as set forth in claim 13 and further, said user feedback
means including manual input means for permitting a user to manually type
in information for storage in said memory means and manually inputting
instructional commands.
20. The system as set forth in claim 11 and further, wherein said external
access means comprises computer means for accessing said rental
information stored in said storage means within said central processing
center.
21. A method of automating self-storage rental transactions, comprising the
steps of:
(a) communicatively linking a plurality of self storage facilities to a
central processing center, wherein each of said plurality of self storage
facilities includes a plurality of self storage units and said central
processing center includes electronic storage means containing rental
information for each of said plurality of storage units within each of
said plurality of self storage facilities; and
(b) selectively communicating with said central processing center via
external access means to automatically conduct any of a plurality of
predetermined rental transaction options without the need for an
attendant, said predetermined rental transaction options including the
option of renting a self storage unit remote from the external access
means.
22. The method as set forth in claim 21, step (b) including the further
sub-step of providing kiosk means associated with each of said plurality
of storage facilities for allowing a user to conduct said automated rental
transactions at each of said plurality of storage facilities.
23. The method as set forth in claim 22, said step of providing kiosk means
including the further steps of providing user feedback means for sending
and receiving information to and from a user, fee collecting means for
collecting fees from a user, printing means for printing information,
unique identification indicia accepting means for allowing a user to
execute i contract, electronic communication means for establishing
electronic communication with said central processing center, and
processing means for coordinating the operation of said user feedback
means, said fee collecting means, said printing means, said unique
identification indicia accepting means, and electronic communication
means.
24. The method as set forth in claim 23 and further, said step (b)
including the further steps of providing a rent local transactional option
for renting from said storage units within a local storage facility where
said user is operating said kiosk means, and a rent remote transactional
option for renting from said storage units within any of said storage
facilities which are remote from said local storage facility. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to self-storage facilities,
commonly referred to as "mini-storage" facilities, wherein a customer may
rent from available storage units for the purpose of safeguarding various
articles for a given period of time. More particularly, the present
invention relates to an automated storage system comprising a plurality of
self-storage facilities which are collectively networked to a central
command center wherein a customer may communicate with the central control
module in one of several fashions to allow the customer to choose from and
undertake various transactional options without the need for an attendant.
II. Discussion of the Prior Art
Self-storage facilities are well known in the art and generally comprise a
plurality of individual storage units disposed within a secured perimeter
for the purpose of safeguarding/storing articles. In a typical
arrangement, each storage unit includes a storage compartment disposed
within a garage or shed-like structure for receiving goods/articles
therewithin, a door member for accessing the interior of the storage
compartment, and a locking mechanism for fastening the door member in a
closed position to securely maintain the contents of the storage
compartment when unattended. The secured perimeter typically includes a
fence or barrier surrounding the storage facility having at least one gate
for exiting and entering, wherein gate access is restricted to only those
individuals having proper clearance or authorization to enter the storage
facility so as to deter theft and/or vandalism. The storage units are
usually offered for rent for various periods of time such that a person in
need of short or long term storage may simply lease one or more storage
units until such time that they are able to transfer or otherwise dispose
of the stored goods. While the self-storage facilities of the prior art do
accomplish the goal of providing temporary storage space to people in need
thereof, there are several significant disadvantages which precipitate the
need for the present invention.
First, the renting of the individual storage units is typically
accomplished by manning each storage facility with at least one attendant
on duty who can transact with potential customers and assign available
storage units. This is problematic, however, in that a separate office or
attendant station is required to provide a place for the attendant to
conduct business with the general public and perform the various rental
transactions for the self storage facility, thereby increasing the
overhead costs associated with operating the self storage facility. More
specifically, the office building or attendant station is costly in terms
of the materials used for construction, as well as the costs of heating,
air conditioning, and/or equipping the office space with the tools for
conducting business. The office building is also costly in that it reduces
the overall amount of real estate within the storage facility which may be
used for storage units, thereby effectively reducing the number of storage
units which can be offered to the public. Furthermore, the salary which
must be paid to the attendant adds to the overhead costs of providing the
storage facility which, as will be appreciated, may translate into higher
rental costs for the customer.
Another significant drawback with the self storage facilities of the prior
art is that the process of renting storage units can be burdensome and
time consuming. To further explain, self storage attendants are typically
only required to be on the premises during restricted business hours, such
as from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. This can lead to lost business opportunity
and/or frustration on the part of potential customers who are unable to
visit the storage facility during the preselected business hours in that
the potential customers are unable to transact with an attendant to rent
from the available storage units. Moreover, when moving to a remote
geographical location, such as during a job transfer, an individual may
have to engage in a multitude of phone calls to the various self storage
facilities in the new local in order to inquire as to the availability of
storage units, as well as to comparison shop with regard to rental fees
and terms. This may end up being quite expensive for the person moving,
both with regard to the costs of the usually long-distance phone calls, in
addition to the amount of time consumed inquiring with the rental agents
or attendants at the remote self storage facilities.
A need therefore exists for an improved self storage system which overcomes
the aforementioned deficiencies in the prior art. To be more specific, a
need exists for an improved self storage system which obviates the need
for an attendant to be on duty for the purpose of transacting with
potential customers and assigning available storage units. A need also
exists for an improved self storage system which does not require a
separate office or attendant station so as to maximize the amount of real
estate within each self storage facility which may be used for storage
units and reduce the overhead associated with operating self storage
facilities. A further need exists for an improved self storage system
which allows potential customers to conduct business with self storage
facilities in a variety of different geographical locations at any given
time in the day and without incurring expense.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is accordingly a principal object of the present invention to provide an
improved self storage system which obviates the need for an attendant to
be on duty for the purpose of transacting with potential customers and
assigning available storage units.
It is yet another principal object of the present invention to provide an
improved self storage system which does not require a separate office or
attendant station so as to maximize the amount of real estate within each
self storage facility which may be used for storage units and reduce the
overhead associated with operating self storage facilities.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved self
storage system which allows potential customers to conduct business with
self storage facilities in a variety of different geographical locations
at any given time in the day and without incurring expense.
In accordance with the present invention, the foregoing objects and
advantages are achieved by providing an improved storage system,
comprising a plurality of storage facilities, each of the plurality of
storage facilities including a plurality of storage units disposed within
a secured perimeter and kiosk means for providing automated rental
transactions. The kiosk means including processing means communicatively
linked to user feedback means for communicating sensory messages to a user
and for allowing a user to communicate information to the processing
means, fee collecting means for collecting fees from a user, printing
means for printing information, unique identification indicia accepting
means for allowing a user to communicate unique identification indicia to
the processing means to generate a personalized contract, and electronic
communication means for establishing electronic communication with an
external processing unit. The processing means includes memory means for
storing program instructions for controlling the operation of the user
feedback means, the fee collecting means, the printing means, the unique
identification indicia accepting means, and the electronic communication
means. Central processing means are further provided communicatively
linked to the kiosk means within each of said plurality of storage
facilities. The central processing means includes memory means for storing
rental information for each of the plurality of storage units within each
of the plurality of storage facilities. A user may use the kiosk means to
access the rental information stored in the memory means of the central
processing means to selectively rent one or a plurality of the storage
units within one or more of the plurality of storage facilities.
In accordance with yet another broad aspect of the present invention, a
system is provided for automating rental transactions in any of a
plurality of storage facilities wherein each of the plurality of storage
facilities includes a plurality of storage units and a central processing
center having electronic storage means for storing rental information for
each of the plurality of storage units within each of said plurality of
storage facilities and communication means for communicating with an
external access system. The external access system allows a user to
communicate with the central processing center to conduct a plurality of
automated rental transactions including renting from any of the plurality
of storage units within the plurality of storage facilities.
In accordance with still another broad aspect of the present invention, a
method is provided for automating self-storage rental transactions,
comprising the steps of: (a) communicatively linking a plurality of self
storage facilities to a central processing center, wherein each of the
plurality of self storage facilities includes a plurality of self storage
units and the central processing center includes electronic storage means
containing rental information for each of the plurality of storage units
within each of the plurality of self storage facilities; and (b)
selectively communicating with the central processing center via external
access means to automatically conduct any of a plurality of predetermined
rental transaction options without the need for an attendant.
The foregoing features and advantages of the present invention will be
readily apparent to those skilled in the art from a review of the
following detailed description of the preferred embodiment in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the fundamental components of the
improved storage system of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the components within each storage
facility of the improved storage system shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the various features within the
kiosk associated with each storage facility;
FIG. 4A is a front plan view of the kiosk illustrated in block diagram form
in FIG. 3;
FIG. 4B is a side plan view of the kiosk illustrated in FIG. 4A;
FIG. 5 is a main screen display generated on the display unit of the kiosk
shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, illustrating the various transactional options
offered to a user;
FIG. 6 is a flow chart for the RENT LOCAL transactional option;
FIG. 7 is a flow chart for the RENT REMOTE transactional option;
FIG. 8 is a flow chart for the BROWSE transactional option;
FIG. 9 is a flow chart for the UPDATE ACCOUNT INFORMATION transactional
option; and
FIG. 10 is a flow chart for TERMINATE ACCOUNT(S) transactional option.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring initially to FIG. 1, shown is a block diagram illustrating an
automated storage system 10 constructed in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention. In its most fundamental form, the
automated storage system 10 comprises a command center 12 communicatively
linked to a local processing unit associated with each of a plurality of
individual storage facilities 14. As will be discussed in greater detail
below, the local processing unit associated with each storage facility 14
is fully automated so as to eliminate the need for an on-duty attendant
and, by virtue of the cooperative network established with the command
center, allows a user to conduct a number of different
self-storage-related transactions with both the local storage facility 14
where the user is physically located, as well as other remote storage
facilities 14 networked to the command center 12. The command center 12
itself comprises a computer server having communication means, database
management means, and processing means. The communication means of the
command center 12 is used to establish data communication with the local
processing unit associated with each storage facility 14. The
communication means of the command center 14 may also be equipped to
communicate with auxiliary access means 16 such that a person may
undertake any number of rental transactions without requiring the person
to be physically located at one of the storage facilities 14. For example,
the command center 12 may be ported to an Internet website such that a
customer having access to the Internet may conduct rental transactions via
auxiliary access means 16 comprising a home computer having web browsing
capability. The database management means of the command center 12 is used
to manage a database containing customer information pertaining to each of
the storage facilities 14 within the automated storage system 10. The
processing means within the command center 12 is provided to coordinate
the overall operation of the automated storage system 10 and perform
certain specific functions.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram representation of each self storage facility 14
within the automated storage system 10 illustrated generally in FIG. 1. In
a preferred embodiment, each storage facility 14 comprises a plurality of
individual storage units 18 disposed within a secured perimeter 20, a
local processing unit in the form of an interactive kiosk 22, and a
security gate 24 interconnected between the interactive kiosk 22 and the
secured perimeter 20. Although the following discussion is based upon
providing the local processing unit as an interactive kiosk 22, it is to
be readily understood that the local processing unit may be disposed in
any number of different structural embodiments, including but not limited
to rack-mount cabinetry for installation into a preexisting structure
within each storage facility 14. It is furthermore to be understood that
the storage facilities 14 within the system 10 may be provided without the
secured perimeter 20 and security gate 24 illustrated in FIG. 2 without
departing from the scope of the present invention. With collective
reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, each interactive kiosk 22 provided in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes
processing means in the form of a microprocessor 26, user feedback means
in the form of a screen display 28, unique identification indicia
accepting means in the form of an electronic pen assembly 30, video
capture means in the form of a camera 32, data communication means in the
form of a modem 34, printing means in the form of a printer 36, monetary
transfer means in the form of a credit card reader 38 and a check reader
40, and audio communication means in the form of a telephone 42. In an
alternate embodiment, indicated with dashed lines, the ki-osk may also
include manual input means in the form of a keypad 44, and the monetary
transfer means may further include a cash acceptance device 46 for
accepting legal tender within the kiosk 22.
In the preferred embodiment, the microprocessor 26 is communicatively
linked to the screen display 28, the credit card reader 38, the check
reader 40, the printer 36, the modem 34, the electronic pen 30, the camera
32, and the security gate 24 of the secured perimeter 20. More
specifically, the microprocessor 26 includes memory means for storing
program instructions for controlling the operation of the screen display
28, the credit card reader 38, the check reader 40, the printer 36, the
modem 34, the electronic pen 30, the camera 32, and for dispensing a code
to the user for use in entering and exiting through the security gate 24.
The screen display 28 may comprise any number of commercially available
screen displays for visually communicating instructions and information to
the user. However, in a preferred embodiment, the screen display 28
comprises a touch-screen display which is also capable of communicating
information in the form of responses back to the microprocessor 26. In
such an arrangement, a user may simply press from a variety of
touch-sensitive icons which are generated on the screen display 28 by the
microprocessor 26 so as to control the operation of the automated storage
system 10 of the present invention. If a keypad 44 is employed, it may
also be used to respond to the various instructions set forth on the
screen display 28 to provide yet another means for controlling the
operation of the automated storage system 10. The keypad 44 may comprise
any number of commercially available keypad or keyboard assemblies,
including but limited to a QWERTY keyboard or various other keypads having
predetermined function keys specifically programmed to operate the
automated storage system 10 of the present invention.
Although not shown in detail, the electronic pen assembly 30 used in the
interactive kiosk 22 of the present invention is well known in the art and
generally comprises an electronic input template and an electronic pen,
wherein a user may employ the electronic pen to generate a signature on
the electronic input template which, in turn, stores the signature in the
memory means of the microprocessor 26. As will be described in greater
detail below, the electronically generated signature is incorporated into
the various contracts and agreements saved within the memory means of the
microprocessor 26 for the purpose of generating fully executed and legally
binding contracts and agreements between the user and the management
company or owner of the individual self storage facilities. It is also
contemplated that any number of devices may be used as substitute for or
as complement to the electronic pen assembly 30 for receiving unique
identification indicia specific to each potential customer. For example,
fingerprint recognition means may be provided for identifying and
recording the fingerprint(s) of customers for the purpose of creating
legally binding agreements between the customer and each self storage
facility.
The camera 32 may comprise any number of commercially available cameras,
including but not limited to a video camera for capturing continuous
surveillance video images and/or a traditional single exposure camera for
capturing discrete photographic images of various important documents,
such as a drivers licenses, passports, social security cards, etc . . . ,
for storage within the memory means of the microprocessor 26 of the
interactive kiosk 22. The modem 34 is an important feature of the
interactive kiosk 22 of the present invention in that it serves to
establish data communication between the microprocessor 26 and the command
center 12 shown in FIG. 1. Data communication between the microprocessor
26 and the command center 12 is essential in that it effectively links all
of the storage facilities 14 within the automated storage system 10
together so as to allow a person using the interactive kiosk 22 at any one
of the storage facilities to conduct a number of automated transactions at
both the local storage facility 14 and all of the remotely located storage
facilities 14. As will be explained in greater detail below, this is
extremely advantageous in terms of convenience that it allows a person to
rent storage units 18 at remote storage facilities 14 without having to
incur the burden and expense of conducting a multiplicity of long distance
phone calls to search for and rent a remote storage unit, such as is the
case with the prior art self storage facilities discussed supra. The modem
34 may comprise any number of commercially available modems and, although
the modem 34 is set forth in the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 3, it
is to be readily understood that a static data communication link, such as
via a fiber optic and/or co-axial cable, may be substituted for the modem
34 without departing from the scope of the present invention.
The printer 36 is primarily provided as a means for producing hard copies
of the executed rental agreements, payment receipts, and/or termination
notices for the user's personal records and may comprise any number of
different commercially available printers, including but not limited to
laser printers and ink jet printers. As will be appreciated, the credit
card reader 38 and check reader 40 are employed to provide quick and
efficient monetary transfers for the purposes of making rental payments
for the storage units. Although the credit card reader 38 and check reader
40 are set forth as the preferred embodiment of the aforementioned
monetary transfer means, it is to be readily understood that these are set
forth by way of example and not limitation in that any number of money
accepting devices may be further incorporated or substituted into the
interactive kiosk 22 for the purposes of transacting with the automated
storage system 10, such as automatic fund transfer arangement, wherein
funds are automatically withdrawn from the customer's bank account, as
well as the cash accepting device 46 shown in FIG. 3. In a preferred
embodiment of the present invention, the telephone 42 is configured to
provide an automatic communication link with a 24-hour customer service
line wherein users may speak with a customer service representative for
individual assistance or engage in an automated audio (touch-tone)
reservation/renting system.
With collective reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B, shown is an exemplary
embodiment of the interactive kiosk 22 of the present invention.
Structurally, the interactive kiosk 22 includes a housing member 48 having
a lower console unit 50 and an upper console unit 52. Although not shown,
the lower and upper console units 50, 52 are generally hollow in
construction so as to house the microprocessor 26, the modem 34, the
attendant electrical wiring and cabling connecting the various components
of the interactive kiosk 22, and the paper supply for the printer 365. The
upper console unit 52 has a lower angular portion 54 and an upper angular
portion 56. In the preferred embodiment shown, the upper angular portion
56 of the upper console unit 52 contains the screen display 28, the
printer 36, the camera 32, the credit card reader 38, the check reader 40,
and the telephone 42, while the lower angular portion 54 includes the
electronic pen assembly 30 comprising an electronic input template 30a and
an electronic pen 30b. It is to be readily understood that the structure
of the housing member 48 is provided by way of | | |
