Patent ID: 8695872
Filing Date: 2014-04-15
Classification: G06Q,G07F

Abstract:
1. An Apparatus comprising: at least one module, at least one card, at least one controller, at least one card recognition device, at least one non-volatile memory device for storing and retrieving data, at least one item with a barcode label, at least one barcode sensor, at least one environmental sensor, at least one actuator wherein the module is configured to contain items, and devices, including: user interface; actuators; sensors, including scales; wherein the module is configured to include at least one door, restricting access to items inside; wherein the module is configured to include a controller connected to devices inside the module, and connected to other controllers, including remote; wherein the module is configured to maintain items within specifications, including environment; wherein the module is configured to include a card recognition device, which is connected to local or remote controller; wherein the module is configured to include a barcode reading device, which is connected to local or remote controller; wherein the module is configured to include user interface, which is connected to local or remote controller, and is used by controller to monitor, record and complete item transactions; wherein the module is configured to allow controller to operate the access door; wherein the module is configured to allow authorized simultaneous access to different sections of the module, including: item transactions related to user purchases, item transactions related to provider maintaining inventory and quality of items; wherein the module is configured to have at least one environmental sensor connected to controller; wherein the module is configured to have a barcode label with information, including: code, location, capacity; wherein the card is configured to have at least one of the identification features, which include: mechanical identification, electronic identification, barcode identification; wherein the card mechanical identification features are configured to include at least one of the following: openings, characterized by their size, shape, location; physical properties of the materials the card or section of the card is manufactured from; card dimensions, shape, color of the entire card or color-coded sections of the card; slots or grooves, which are used for alignment; symbols or markings, which are recognized by optical reading devices and used for alignment; openings which are used for mechanically latching or locking the card in-place by inserting a holding pin through the opening; wherein the card electronic identification features are configured to include at least one of the following: active electronic circuits, including RFID; passive electronic circuits, including network of resistors connected in-parallel; embedded controller; user interface, including: control keys, display, diagnostics; wherein the card barcode identification features include industry standard barcode label or labels, which is configured to include: card code; card location; wherein the card identification features is attached to one or both surfaces of the card, or embedded inside the card; wherein the card with selected identification features is made out of environmentally friendly materials, and is recyclable for multiple use, as needed; wherein the card with selected identification features is used as a shopping card, allowing access to items or products inside modules, and then used by controller to record item transactions, including information related to payments required to purchase selected items; wherein the card with selected identification features is used by an user; wherein the card is configured to allow the user via controller to link selected identification features of the card with the user account information, including payment information, and then used as a payment card, allowing user to access items modules, and then used by controller to record item transactions, including executing payments for selected items during transaction; wherein the card configured with embedded controller will enable an user to interface with store controller, and select or create a shopping list, and then display navigation instructions to direct the user within a store to complete the shopping list within set criteria; wherein card recognition device is configured to interface with controller; wherein card recognition device is configured to allow the identification card to be inserted into the reading slot of the card recognition device; wherein card recognition device is configured to have sensors, which are used by controller for verification of alignment of the card inserted into the reading slot of the card recognition device; wherein card recognition device is configured to have channel or channels, which are mechanically mated with respective grooves of the card, and are used for proper direction and orientation of the card during insertion of the card into the reading slot of the card recognition device; wherein card recognition device is configured to have an actuator, which is when activated by controller, will extend its plunger through a designated opening of the card inserted into the slot, and mechanically prevent the card from being removed; and further configured to release the card when the actuator is deactivated by controller; wherein card recognition device is configured to have sensors, which are used by controller for verification of identification features of the card inserted into the reading slot of the card recognition device; wherein card recognition device is configured to be installed into a module or next to the module; wherein at least one controller is configured to be connected and have access to at least one non-volatile memory for storing and retrieving data; wherein controller is interfaced with other devices of the apparatus via wired and/or wireless LAN, including telemetry and internet technologies; wherein controller interfaced with other devices of the apparatus, and based on real-time item transactions and data entries, will monitor in real-time inventory of items, including: inventory within a module, section of a store; wherein controller interfaced with other devices of the apparatus, will coordinate store activities in providing supplies of items within a store, including: availability of items inside modules to meet requirements of active or current shopping lists selected by users inside the store; wherein controller interfaced with other devices of the apparatus, will generate reports in real-time, including: list of required items to be delivered to a module, or section of a store; items requiring removal from a module due to item being out of specifications; wherein controller connected to devices of the apparatus will in-real time activate or de-activate the identification card inserted into a module; wherein controller will in real-time activate or de-activate access to a module based on card information obtained from the recognition device of the module the card is inserted in; wherein controller will in real-time using mechanical locking feature of the card will lock the card inserted into a card reading module and keep the card mechanically locked while executing controls including: card identification, item transactions; wherein controller will monitor, analyze and record activities related to a card, and based on provided criteria, the controller will in real-time activate or de-activate specific identification features of the card, regulating its access to modules, or section within a designated location; wherein controller based on information provided by an user, and based on user transaction records stored in data base, will verify the user eligibility, and upon approval, the controller will configure the card accordingly; wherein controller based on an user information linked to selected identification features of the card will analyze transaction records stored in data base and generate shopping list containing most frequently used items, and store the information in the non-volatile memory data base; wherein controller based on an user information linked to selected identification features of the card will allow the user to record and store shopping lists in the non-volatile memory data base; wherein controller based on an user information linked to selected identification features of the card will allow user to select specific shopping list stored in the non-volatile data base and set the list as current; wherein controller based on an user information linked to selected identification features of the card, and based on availability of items on current shopping list at a location including a store, will in real-time without operator assistance control and display information on the card in possession by the user, and direct the user within the store to complete transactions of the current shopping list within set criteria, including fastest time; wherein the item with a barcode label, with barcode label attached to the item, and label configured to be readable by barcode reading devices of the apparatus; wherein the item with a barcode label, with barcode label configured to include information, including: item code; item price; item environment specifications; item expiration date; wherein the item with a barcode label placed into a module, or removed from a module, and its physical transition or transaction will be monitored by controller when its barcode label is scanned or read by barcode reading device of the apparatus; wherein the item with a barcode label traced by controller within apparatus by monitoring item transactions at various locations, including modules, where transactions took place; wherein controller will monitor status of barcode reading devices, and based on information obtained from barcode reading devices the controller could monitor the item transitions or transactions, including the transactions related to a module; wherein controller will monitor status of barcode reading devices, and based on information obtained from barcode reading devices the controller will calculate the inventory of items within the apparatus, including inventory of items within modules; wherein controller based on inventory of items directly or indirectly execute controls to provide additional item or items with specific barcode label to a module or modules; wherein controller will record information related to transition or transaction of items into the non-volatile data base, and the controller will obtain recorded information from the data base; wherein controller will monitor environmental sensor within a module and, depending on information obtained from the sensor, controller will in real-time directly or indirectly activate controls to maintain environment within the module to within required range and specifications; wherein controller will allow access to a module for as long as the identification card is inserted into the card recognition device of the module, and is accepted or authorized by controller; wherein controller, based on item identification including barcode, will in-real time record transition and transaction of item or items related to a module specific to the identification card used to gain access to the module, and store the information in the data base; wherein controller, based on item identification including barcode, will record transition or transaction of item or items related to a module or modules where the identification card was used to gain access to the module, and store the information in the data base; wherein controller, based on item identification including barcode, will obtain from the data base costs information about the item or items, and calculate costs for each transition or transaction of the item or items, and store the information in the data base; wherein controller, based on card identification features, will obtain from data base all transactions records related to a card inserted into a slot of card recognition device, including modules, and present the user of the card with an opportunity to purchase items listed on the transaction report; wherein controller is configured to adjust in real time price of item, based on apparatus status, including: inventory of items; specification of items; date; user provided coupons; wherein the apparatus, consisting of: modules, controllers, sensors, non-volatile memory, identification card, card recognition devices is configured as a real-time closed loop control system, and the control system directly, without operator assistance, based on information obtained from the card and based on set criteria, will authorize access to items inside the module or access to a location where items are present, and will monitor, analyze and record transactions of items executed under unique identification features of the card being used; wherein the apparatus is configured without operator assistance, to monitor, analyze and record transactions executed under unique identification features of a card being used, and provide the records to modules to complete the transactions, including generating an invoice of items being purchased and receipt of a payment; wherein the apparatus is configured as a real-time closed loop control system to monitor, analyze and record information about devices within apparatus, including: number, layout and location of devices, and provide real-time navigation instructions to users and providers to minimize time required to complete item transactions included in the activated shopping lists.