Abstract:
The unmanned durable goods sales facility disclosed herein utilizes a commercial property site which is accessible from a public road. On the commercial property is a fence with an entrance/exit gate that is controlled by a proximity card reader. Inside the fence is a building housing durable goods, in this case heating and air conditioning supplies. Access to the building is also controlled by proximity card readers. Approved customers leave records of receipts for the items purchased with the facility operators. Mechanisms are in place at the sales facility to help customers who encounter problems and also to cope with various emergencies that may occur.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention fits into the general category of being a sales facility. More particularly, this invention fits into the category of being a sales facility for durable goods. Still more particularly, this invention is an unmanned durable goods sales facility. Finally, this invention is an unmanned durable goods sales facility where the durable goods are heating and air conditioning equipment and supplies.  
         [0002]     In operating a sales facility such as a store or warehouse, the largest expense usually is spent to employ people to work at the facility along with any health or injury insurance and any pension plans relating to such employees that must be paid put of the pockets of the owner/employer of the sales facility.  
         [0003]     The solution to this problem is to construct an unmanned sales facility which can operate without employees. With perishable goods such as refrigerated foods, there would be special problems in operating an unmanned sales facility that relate to food spoilage. With respect to fungible goods such as cereal grain or petroleum other problems might occur in the operations of an unmanned sales facility. However, with durable goods, that is, goods that are stable, long lasting, discrete and therefore easily tracked, an unmanned sales facility is conceivable. Thus, it is a general object of this invention to be a functioning unmanned durable goods sales facility. It is a further object of this invention to be a functioning unmanned durable goods sales facility wherein the said durable goods are heating and air conditioning equipment and supplies.  
         [0004]     One of the advantages of an unmanned sales facility is that it can be used by properly regulated customers at any time of the day or year. However, there is a security problem in that the buildings holding the sales goods need to allow access to licensed customers but not to unlicensed persons. Several of the problems involved in operating an unmanned sales facility include: theft, unauthorized entry, credit risk of customers and liability for possible injuries to customers. Solving such problems are also further objects of the present invention. For example, to help prevent injuries to customers, no heating or air conditioning supplies in the facility to be described here are stacked over shoulder height.  
         [0005]     Another object of the present invention is to secure the building in which the heating and air conditioning supplies are housed. There is a need to know when a person went in or out of the facility and how long a person stayed. There is also a need to determine what goods went in or out with such a person. Such problems are solved in the operation of the current invention which will now be described.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     This unmanned durable goods sales facility is comprised of a commercial property site that is publicly accessible from a public road and the following: On the commercial property site is a barrier with an automatic electronically controlled gate. The automatic electronically controlled barrier in this case is a fence and the entrance/exit gate of the fence is opened by a proximity card reader for properly qualified customers to whom such proximity cards have been issued upon fulfilling certain requirements of the facility operator/owners.  
         [0007]     Within the area enclosed by the barrier fence is a building or warehouse which possesses automatic electronically controlled doorways. Entrance to the warehouse at the rear of the building is gained by entering a five digit code into a keypad which unlocks the door. The customer may then open the door and enter the warehouse.  
         [0008]     The warehouse building houses the durable goods for approved customers to purchase or buy. In the particular embodiment of the invention described here, the durable goods are heating and air conditioning supplies. When a customer wants to buy an item that is stocked in the warehouse, the customer faxes a copy of the item&#39;s receipt to the operators and then drops the receipt in a slot of a locked drop box so that a customer&#39;s purchase is kept confidential from other customers. The said customer then loads his or her truck with the item or items purchased and leaves the facility in the reverse manner that the customer entered. Various purchases of the customer are debited with the credit account that had been set up for that particular customer when that customer was approved by the facility operators and issued a proximity card.  
         [0009]     The sales facility and its operators are prepared for various problems or emergencies that might occur in the operation of this unmanned warehouse facility. Smoke alarms, fire extinguisher, and bolt cutters are placed throughout the warehouse. Surveillance cameras are placed throughout the warehouse and surrounding areas. Telephone, fax, and computer allow the customers to communicate instantly with the facility operators if a problem or emergency occurs. If a customer is disabled and unable to reach one of these communication devices, the facility operators are automatically alerted after a twenty minute period. In the absence of any disabling of a customer, the approved customer is required to take action to disarm such an automatic system by pressing one of several deactivation keypads every twenty minutes when a warning system reminds the customer to do so. Thus, the sales facility possesses an electronic means for alerting the facility operators that a customer is in distress. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     The unmanned durable goods sales facility that constitutes this invention is shown in the accompanying drawings.  FIG. 1  shows an aerial view of the sales facility as a whole.  FIG. 2  shows a floor plan of the sales facility warehouse.  FIG. 3  shows a floor plan of the sales facility office and computer room.  FIG. 4  shows a floor plan of the sales facility security and power room.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     Looking at  FIG. 1 , it is seen that this unmanned durable goods sales facility  11  is located on a commercial property site which is adjacent to a public highway  15 . The publicly accessible commercial site is bounded by the highway  15  and the property lines  20 ,  25 , and  32 . Property line  20  measures 300 feet. Property line  32  measures 300 feet. Property line  25  measures 102 feet. An entrance drive  39  leads from the highway  15  into the facility  11 . The entrance drive  39  also leads to a front parking lot  16 .  
         [0012]     Inside the facility  11  is an automatic electronically controlled barrier, in this case, an automatic electronically controlled rectangular chain link fence with sides  24 ,  26 ,  31 , and  18 . The front side  18  of the chain link fence possesses a sliding chain link security gate  36  for vehicles and also a personnel chain link gate  17 . In front of the security gate  36  is a proximity reader  37  and in back of the security gate  36  is another proximity reader  35 . The entrance drive  39  leads along a paved path  10  to a rear parking lot  27 . A gate camera  34  scans all vehicles traversing this path  10  in either direction.  
         [0013]     Within the area enclosed by the chain link fence sits a building, in this case a corrugated steel warehouse  12  within which the heating and air-conditioning supplies, the durable goods of this invention, are stored. Facing the rear parking lot  27 , adjacent to the warehouse  12 , are a porch  71 , a truck dock  28 , and a loading platform  72 . A door entry security keypad  21  is located at the porch  21 . A rear camera  30  is located at the loading platform  72  and scans all traffic traversing the platform  72  and the truck dock  28 .  
         [0014]     Various vehicles of licensed customers for picking up assorted heating and air-conditioning supplies are shown in  FIG. 1 . Vehicle  38  is shown in the entrance drive  39  heading for the rear parking lot  27 . Vehicle  33  is shown in the paved path  10  leaving the rear parking lot  27 . Vehicle  23  is shown parked next to the porch  71 . Vehicle  29  is shown parked next to the loading platform  72 .  
         [0015]     Looking at  FIG. 2 , it is seen that the aforementioned porch  71  leads to a rear entrance doorway  66  to the inside of the warehouse  12 . The aforementioned truck dock  28  leads to an electric operated overhead door  68  inside the warehouse  12 . The aforementioned loading platform  72  leads to another electric operated overhead door  70  inside the warehouse  12 . In addition to the entrance exit doorway  66 , the warehouse also has another entrance exit doorway  98 .  
         [0016]     The warehouse  12 , itself, is rectangular in shape measuring 100 feet by 60 feet. Near the entrance exit doorway  98 , inside the warehouse, are located an exit sign  97 , a fire extinguisher  96 , a security key pad  95 , a bolt cutter  93 , and two security cameras  92  and  90 . Near the entrance exit doorway  66 , inside the warehouse, are located an exit sign  65 , a security keypad  63 , and a bolt cutter  62 .  
         [0017]     Between the electrically operated overhead door  68  and the electrically operated overhead door  70  is located a fire extinguisher  69 . Next to the electrically operated overhead door  70  are located two security cameras  74  and  75 .  
         [0018]     The location of various heating and air conditioning supplies and other items within the warehouse  12  will now be indicated. Flexible duct is stored at location  94 . Blanket insulation products are stored at location  42 . A security camera  41  is located next to the blanket insulation products. Next to the blanket insulation products are a women&#39;s restroom  46  and a men&#39;s restroom  43 . Next to the men&#39;s restroom  43  are stored condenser pads and Freon at location  44 . A bolt cutter is also stored at location  44 .  
         [0019]     Next to the restrooms are located a fire extinguisher  48  and a security camera  49 . Gas package units  12  SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) are stored at location  53  where there are also located security cameras  51  and  55 . Heat pump package units  12  SEER are stored at location  56  where there is also located a security camera  57 . Gas package units  10  SEER are stored at location  59  where there is another security camera  61 . Heat pump package units  10  SEER are stored at location  60 . Air conditioning condensers  10  SEER are stored at location  58 . Air handlers  10  SEER are stored at location  79 . Furnaces 80% AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) are stored at location  77 . Heat pump condensers  12  SEER are stored at location  80 . Air handlers  12  SEER are stored at location  76 . High efficient furnaces  90  plus AFUE are stored at location  78 . Heat pump condensers  10  SEER are stored at location  82 . AC coils are stored at location  67 , next to which is located a security camera  85 .  
         [0020]     Black iron fittings are stored at location  81 . Galvanized pipe is stored at location  83 . At locations  54 ,  52 ,  50 , and  47  are shelves 36 inches wide, 54 inches tall, and 28 feet long, double sided with 4 shelves, where smaller heating and air conditioning parts are stored.  
         [0021]     Hart &amp; Cooley register products are stored at location  46  on 3 feet by 10 feet two shelf racking 30 inches long. Acme prefab products are stored at location  40  on 3 feet by 10 feet two shelf racking 30 inches long.  
         [0022]     The warehouse  12  also contains an office and computer room  13 , next to which are a security camera  86  and a TV  84 . Also, next to the office and computer room, the warehouse  12  contains a security and power room  14 , next to which are a security keypad  89  and a security camera  88 .  
         [0023]     Looking at  FIG. 3 , it is seen that the office and computer room  13  has a door  102  and doorway  103 . Also, inside this room is desk  100  on which sit a telephone  108  and a computer  99  with its keyboard  107 . A chair  101  sits by the desk. This room also contains an order drop box  104  and a table  105  on which sits a fax machine  106 . A security camera  87  scans activities that take place within the room  13 .  
         [0024]     Looking at  FIG. 4 , it is seen that the security and power room  14  has a door  109  and a doorway  110 . The doorway  110  is usually closed with the door  109  being locked. Thus, the security and power room  14  is off limits to regular licensed customers of this sales facility and is normally accessible only to the operators of this facility. This room has a 200 amp electrical panel  115 . This room has a fax line terminal  118 , a phone line terminal  117 , and a Cayman DSL modem and line terminal  116 . This room has a CoStar CR1600-80 camera server and 19″ Toshiba color camera server monitor  111 . This room contains a terminal  114  for security system I (Vista-128BP) and a terminal  113  for security system II (Vista 20P). This room contains a PassPort remote network access. This room also has a computer and network rack  112  containing the following components: a Cayman DSL modem, a Cisco 3002 VPN client, a Cisco 2924 network switch, a TrippLite UPS backup power I terminal, a TrippLite UPS backup power II terminal, and a Panduit patch panel.  
         [0025]     More information about how this invention operates will now be disclosed. The embodiment of the invention disclosed here is designed to provide qualified customers unlimited self service to heating and air conditioning supplies 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, and 365 days per year. Customer safety while entering and exiting this sales facility  11 , while finding, moving, and loading the heating and air conditioning products, and during unusual events is a most important priority. Personal safety is maximized through customer training in all aspects of the sales facility operation and through the security, surveillance, and operational systems incorporated in the facility  11 .  
         [0026]     The warehouse  12  that is central to this facility has a medium size of 6000 square feet. The heating and air conditioning products carried in this warehouse  12  are types that are most needed by the majority of customers in the particular area in which the sales facility  11  is located. If customers need products that are not carried, they may contact the operators of this facility electronically, and request that those products be stocked.  
         [0027]     Once inside this facility  11 , access to the warehouse  12  is granted by presenting an issued proximity card to the proximity card reader  37  at the only electric operated entrance gate  36 . The customer will then drive through the path  10  to the rear of the warehouse  12  to the loading area adjacent to the rear parking lot  27 , where he or she will be required to first enter the warehouse  12  through an entrance doorway  66  protected by a security key pad  21 .  
         [0028]     The warehouse  12  is protected by two security systems I and II. The main security system I protects the warehouse  12  from unauthorized access and provides fire and smoke detection. That part of the main security system I guarding access to the warehouse is deactivated when any customer has been granted access by the entrance gate authorization system and remains off until the last customer exits through the entrance gate  36 . The fire and smoke detection part of security system I remain active even when the access guarding part of security system I is disarmed. The gate authorization system keeps track of how many customers are in the warehouse  12 , when they entered, and when they exited.  
         [0029]     With the disarming of the main security system I, the second security system II starts a twenty minute arming timer. At the end of the twenty minute timing cycle, a ninety second warning horn alerts all customers in the warehouse  12  that the second security system II is about to arm itself. It is the responsibility of any customer in the warehouse  12  to deactivate the arming sequence by typing in a four number code and “off” on the security keypads provided in the warehouse  12 . The two security keypads  21  and  89  are located respectively by the rear entrance door  66  and near the office and computer room  13 . It is assumed that if the second security system II is not deactivated, that the customer in the warehouse  12  is unable to do so because of an accident, health problem, or unforeseen event. In that case, the second security system will immediately arm, activate, and dial an electronically connected security central office of the facility&#39;s operators to alert them to the situation. The security central office will immediately dispatch paramedics, fire, police, and appropriate operator personnel to assist the disabled customer. If, as is normally the case, a customer deactivates the second security system II, it again restarts the twenty minute rearming cycle. These cycles continue until the last customer exits the premises through the entrance gate  36 . It is the purpose of these two security systems I and II to provide a response action within twenty minutes to a disabled customer any time that the warehouse  12  is occupied.  
         [0030]     In addition, a multi-camera surveillance system comprising security cameras  30 ,  34 ,  41 ,  49 ,  51 ,  55 ,  57 ,  61 ,  74 ,  75 ,  85 ,  86 ,  87 ,  88 ,  90 , and  92  monitors and records all activities on the premises of this sales facility  11 . Operator personnel can view the surveillance system activities live from any authorized remote network connection at any time. This allows operator personnel to evaluate the main security alarm I activation, a second security system II disability alarm activation, or a fire notification in a timelier manner. The surveillance system is also in place in the unlikely event that something might happen between customers, other customer&#39;s quests, or any unauthorized persons. In addition, this security system allows operator personnel to help customers find or resolve questions in a real time manner by directing customers to a product or solution. It is the responsibility of everyone to legally behave appropriately towards others and to treat any property that is not theirs legally and with respect. The multi-camera security system helps to deter or resolve any conflicts in this area. Backup copies of the camera surveillance are made periodically and saved for a minimum of four years. Historical surveillance records can also be accessed by any operator personnel immediately to resolve any unclear situation.  
         [0031]     In a normal course of operation a customer enters the facility  11  and warehouse  12 , finds and loads all products he or she needs. There are many methods available to record and invoice the customer for products taken. Some of them are very technology oriented and can be more complicated. Others can be quite simple. The facility operators try to keep it as simple as possible. Thus, it is the customer&#39;s responsibility to write the quantity, product code, product description, product serial number (if applicable) and customer name on a two part form order pad provided. The customer then separates the two part form, keeping one for his or her records. The original form is then placed in the fax machine  106  and a button pressed to transmit the order to the operators&#39; central branch office. A locked drop box  104  is provided for the customer to place the original order into, so that other customers will not have access to what has been purchased by a competitor. Operator personnel pick up the original orders in the drop box  104  on a timely basis. Each morning the main operator office branch assembles all the faxed orders sent to them during the previous 24 hours. Accounts receivable in operator headquarters generates and sends a report to the main operator office branch of all customers entering the warehouse  12  during the preceding 24 hours. The list and the faxes are compared. If a customer has entered and exited without any orders being faxed, the security camera system is reviewed and the customer called on the telephone to see if there was a problem or if the required products were not available or found. Thus, customers of this facility normally leave a record of the durable goods purchased with the facility operators.  
         [0032]     When customers have picked up everything that they need and the last customer has exited the entrance gate  36 , the second security system II is disabled and the main security system I completely rearmed. The security system I checks that both electrically operated overhead doors  68  and  70  are closed and that the personal doorways  66  and  98  are closed. If any of these four doors has been left open, the security system I automatically shuts that door.  
         [0033]     With respect to the process of certifying various persons to become qualified customers for this sales facility  11 , it is the right of the operators of this facility  11  to refuse to issue an entrance proximity card or do business with any business or individual for security or business reasons if warranted.  
         [0034]     A business requesting to participate in the facility  11  must have completed a credit application and purchase agreement and have been issued a credit account with the operators of the facility. Customers on a cash or COD basis are not allowed to participate in the facility.  
         [0035]     In addition to the business being approved, each individual from that business, who wishes access to particular embodiment of the invention described here, also has to fill out an individual credit authorization form and a background investigation form for approval. Pictures of the individual are taken for the proximity card and future identification. The proximity card issued is for the use of the authorized individual only and may not be given to any other person.  
         [0036]     Individuals must be authorized by their respective employers to participate in the facility. The employers are required to accept full responsibility for their employees purchases and actions while in and around the warehouse  12 . A business authorization form needs to be submitted by the company for each individual wishing access to the facility  11 . For any reason, if the company no longer wishes an individual to have access to the facility  11 , a business de-authorization form is submitted to the operators of the facility via fax or mail.  
         [0037]     Each business participating in the facility  11  must have at least one individual that has a valid EPA refrigeration certification card on file with the operators and be authorized to purchase refrigerant through the business.  
         [0038]     Forms that are required for authorization include: an access agreement, a credit application and purchase agreement, a business credit and authorization check form, an individual credit authorization form (for each person wishing access), a background authorization form (for each person wishing access), an individual release form (for each person wishing access), an EPA refrigerant certification card, individual pictures for proximity card and file, a business owner authorization form, a tour and training check list form of completion, an indemnification agreement, and a forklift certified training card.  
         [0039]     A tour of the exterior and interior of the facility  11  will be given to each individual qualified for access to the facility. The tour will include all entrance, exits, and loading doors, front locked and chained walk gate, all fire extinguishers, first aid kits, all flash lights, bolt cutters, all security keypads, all telephones for normal or emergency needs, the order/fax process, computer/internet training, all devices for emergency egress from the locked fence area, rest room facilities, and office facilities.  
         [0040]     With regard to entrance and exit procedures for this invention, entrance to the facility  11  is gained by presenting an authorized proximity card to the proximity reader  37  on the left hand side of the driveway just before the entrance gate  36 . The card does not need to be inserted, just placed close to the reader  37 . It is the intention of the facility operators that only one vehicle pass through the gate  36  in one open and closing cycle. A customer should not allow another vehicle to pass through the gate while he or she is opening the gate. The gate  36  automatically closes approximately 10 seconds after it opens. This allows ample time for a customer to drive through the gate  36 . There is a buried cable in the drive that senses a vehicle in motion through the gate  36  and will not allow the gate  36  to shut if the vehicle is still in the area of the gate  36 . A customer should not attempt to drive through the gate  36  if it is in the process of closing. The authorizing gate system keeps track of the individuals that have gained entrance to the facility  11  and when they leave. If a customer lets another person in with themselves, the system will not know that and such customer will have compromised the integrity of the safety systems of this facility.  
         [0041]     A customer then drives around to the back of the warehouse  12  and parks near the rear entrance door  71 . This doorway  66  has a keypad entrance system  21 . When the customer types the appropriate five space code the doorway  66  unlocks and the customer may enter the warehouse  12 . After the customer loads the material that he or she needs and has faxed a copy of the order to the central office of the operators, when it is time for the customer to exit, the customer then closes all the doors that he or she has opened to load his or her truck. The overhead doors  68  and  70  are opened and closed using electric door operator buttons.  
         [0042]     The customer exits the warehouse  12  through the doorway  66  and proceeds to the entrance gate and provides his or her proximity card to the exit proximity reader  35 , just as the customer did for entering. The exit proximity reader  35  is on the left side of the driveway as the customer approaches the gate  36 .  
         [0043]     If someone else is in the process of entering the premises at the same time as a customer is leaving, the customer should leave enough room for them to pass. The customer should wait until the gate  36  has closed before presenting his or her proximity card to the reader  35 . Under no circumstances should a customer attempt to drive out of the facility after someone has just entered and the gate  36  has not closed yet. If a customer does this, the gate security system will not know that the customer has left and the police will be called within 20 minutes.  
         [0044]     Two security systems I and II are installed in this facility for the safety of the customer. If the warehouse  12  is occupied, the second system II tries to arm itself every 20 minutes. This second system II actually sounds an intermittent horn for 90 seconds before it actually arms itself. The 90 second time period allows anyone in the warehouse  12  to go to one of two keypads  63  or  89 , and type a five space code to stop the activation sequence. If someone is in the building and the second security system II is not deactivated, the assumption is that that person is incapacitated and requires immediate help. The security system then will call the police, rescue, and appropriate operator personnel to come to the warehouse to help. If a customer has just closed the warehouse doors and is ready to leave and the 90 second pre alarm sounds, the customer may drive to the exit proximity card reader  35  and present his or her card. This also will deactivate the arming sequence.  
         [0045]     The warehouse  12  is protected by a smoke and fire alarm system. If a customer observes any smoke or fire in or near the warehouse  12 , the customer may go to one of the two security keypads  63  and  89  and press the red emergency button labeled “Fire”. This will call the fire department immediately.  
         [0046]     Under no circumstances should a customer endanger himself or herself or anyone else to activate the above alarm. There are fire extinguishers located throughout the warehouse for customer use if needed. The safety of the customer is the operators&#39; primary concern, and the customer should exit the warehouse building quickly in an emergency and move as far away as possible for his or her own safety.  
         [0047]     The exit gate, security systems, smoke and fire systems, and computer systems of this facility are on an uninterruptible power backup system and will work for a short period of time. This allows the customer to exit the premises without inconvenience. The telephone  108  is powered by the telephone company and will work unless the telephone lines have been broken.  
         [0048]     There are two first aid kits in this warehouse. One first aid kit is located next to the rest rooms  43  and  44 , and the other first aid kit is located in the office and computer room  13 . If a customer is hurt on the facility premises, he or she should call the operators immediately so that the operators may help the customer in any way.  
         [0049]     In case of power outages at night at this facility, there are flashlights located throughout the warehouse  12 . If all power is lost and the personnel gate  17  will not open, bolt cutters  62  and  93  are provided for the customer to cut the chain on the gate  17  for his or her exit. Also, in such case, any vehicle that the customer has on the premises should be moved to the back of the property out of any possible danger until help arrives to open the main gate  36 .  
         [0050]     If another authorized or unauthorized person threatens a customer in any way, the customer should avoid any confrontation at all costs. In this case, the customer should proceed to the nearest keypad  63  or  89  and activate the emergency fire code by pushing the red “Fire” button. This notifies the fire and police departments that there is an emergency in progress and they will dispatch help immediately. The customer should leave the facility and avoid the confrontational individual for his or her own safety.  
         [0051]     Within the warehouse  12 , there is a forklift available to move heavy equipment and to load vehicles. OSHA requires that anyone operating a forklift be certified and trained through an approved course. Training encompasses care, operation, safety, and limitations of the use of a forklift. If the forklift is used to load a truck, it is not allowed out of the warehouse nor is it allowed to be driven into the back of a truck when the truck dock  28  or the platform  72  is used. The forklift may not be used with a rider along. The forklift may not be used to lift a person off the floor for any reason.  
         [0052]     Safety training is provided by the operators to teach customers the proper techniques in lifting objects to reduce possible injuries to the back, leg, arms, and other areas of the body. Instruction is also provided to customers in the proper use of dollies and carts for moving and loading inventory. For the safety of the customers, no climbing on boxes or shelving is allowed at this facility.  
         [0053]     Loading of vehicles is an everyday event for most contractors. Customers are encouraged to observe courtesy and common sense when loading around other people&#39;s vehicles and property. The truck dock  28  may be used to load vehicles. The truck dock  28  is below ground level and places the bed of the truck below the floor level of the warehouse  12 . Extra caution in using the truck dock  28  and the loading platform  72  is urged on all the customers.  
         [0054]     A telephone  108  is located on the desk  100  in the office and computer room  13 . When a customer is finished with a telephone conversation, the phone should be returned to its cradle. Telephone numbers of operator personnel are posted on a bulletin board above the desk in the office.  
         [0055]     While in the warehouse, customer access to the Internet is provided if needed. Use of the provided Internet access is intended to be primarily for business related purposes. The facility operators possess the ability to monitor customer use of the Internet, and actual web-site connections, and length of time spent on these connections are recorded. Excessive use of the provided Internet access for non-business related purposes results in the loss of access privileges. The facility network restricts access to sites that are inappropriate for the work place such as adult or sexually explicit sites.  
         [0056]     Entrance to this facility with the use of the proximity card is authorized for the approved individual only. The operators ask that the customer does not let unauthorized individuals enter the facility while he or she is inside the warehouse  12  or while entering or exiting the premises. The authorized individual and his or her company are responsible for any unauthorized individual entering the facility with them.  
         [0057]     No smoking and no alcoholic beverages are allowed inside the warehouse  12  or on the property site  11  of this facility.  
         [0058]     Each customer who is permitted access to this facility must execute an indemnification agreement form and a release form which must be delivered to the facility operators prior to the initial access to this facility.  
         [0059]     Each applicant for authorized use of this facility is given an instruction manual on how to use this facility and the rules that must be followed by authorized customers. A complete set of forms required for authorization is attached to the instruction manual.