Patent ID: 6845909
Filing Date: 2005-01-25
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A system for the unattended distribution of items or retrieval of returned items, comprising: an unattended facility located remote from a central warehouse and capable of containing one or more items, comprising: a network; a central server connected to the unattended facility via the network; an electronic database residing on the central server containing inventory information about the items contained within the unattended facility, wherein said database is maintained by entering inventory information into the data entry device and transmitting said inventory information over the network to the central server; and an interface connecting an inventory management service to the central server through the network, said interface configured to enable an exchange of information between the inventory management service and the unattended facility, wherein the inventory management service monitors the unattended facility for replenishment of an inventory of items maintained in the unattended facility and to retrieve returned items from said unattended facility.