Abstract:
An automatic closet system for inventorying, storing, retrieving, tracking and chronologically monitoring items of clothing to and from a closet storage area with the system including a track that extends around the inner perimeter of the storage area with the track having front and rear guides. A chain is positioned on the rear track guide and is driven by a motor. Hanger carriers are disposed in the track and receive hangars therein. The carrier includes sensors used to detect and track each hanger and the garment thereon.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to an automated closed system, and in particular, but not by way of limitation, to a system and method that facilitates a user&#39;s ability to automatically and manually store, retrieve and access clothing items from a closet system at user specified times and sequences. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Typical conveyor rack closet systems utilize a typical chain style conveyor system that a user manually controls. This type of system typically only allows a user to control the system in a forward and reverse direction, whereby the user can merely browse the available clothing as the conveyor system passes the clothing by the user. Similarly, when a user desires to put an item of clothing back into the system, the user must move the conveyor system and search for an empty space on the conveyor system to place the item. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for systems and methods for an automated closet system that can facilitate a user&#39;s ability to retrieve and store their clothing, as well as provide the user with various types of information related to the stored clothing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a high level electrical system drawing of an embodiment of an automated closet system in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2A  is a high level mechanical system drawing of an embodiment of an automated close system in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2B  is a partial perspective cross-sectional view of the track of an embodiment of an automated closed system in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIGS. 3A-3F  illustrate various views of certain components of the track system of an embodiment of an automated closet system in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIGS. 4A-4E  illustrate various views of hanger and carrier components of an embodiment of an automated closet system in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a more detail view of a loading and unloading display station of an embodiment of an automated closet system in accordance with the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 6 a  and 6 b    illustrate examples screens that can be displayed on the display unit of an embodiment of an automated closed system in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the figures, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein, through various views and figures, like elements may be referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated embodiments of an automated closet system according to the principles of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate system level block diagrams of certain electrical and mechanical components of embodiment of an automated closet system (“ACS”)  1000  in accordance with the principles of the present invention. ACS  1000  automatically inventories, stores, tracks, dates, retrieves items of clothing from storage area. ACS  1000  can illustrate to a user via graphical display illustrations or images of selected items of clothing and further can display illustration or images of the selected items of clothing on the user with various background environments. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B , ACS  1000  includes a conveyor or track system  1010 , motors  1020  and  1030 , a slave microprocessor controller  1040 , a computer processing unit and user interface  1050 , a television (TV) mirror  1060 , a loading/unloading display station  1070 , a scanner  1080 , actuators  1090 , and sensors  1100 . 
     Track system  1010  includes a track  1018  containing a chain  1012  that extends around the perimeter of track system  1010 . The chain  1012  of track system  1010  can move in either direction (such as a clockwise and counter clockwise) and is connected to and driven by motors  1020  and  1030 . Although illustrated as utilizing two motors  1020  and  1030 , the number, size, power and location of motors is dependent upon the size of track system  1010  utilized in specific implementations of the present invention. The track system  1010  has access points  1013   a  and  1013   b , with access points  1013   a  being located near the loading/unloading display station  1070  which allow for hangers  1014  to be automatically placed into and removed from track system  1010 , while access points  1013   b  are located inside the closet area  1015  and allows for a user to manually remove/place garments to/from the ACS  1000 . 
     A plurality of carriers  1011  positioned within track  1018  interface with chain  1012  for movement around track system  1010 . Carriers  1011  securely hold hangers  1014  and allow for the placement and removal of the hangers  1014  from the track system  1010  either manually or by actuators  1090 . Sensors  1100 , such as infra-red sensors, are used to detect the presence or absence of a hanger  1014  in each of the carriers  1011 . 
     Computer processing unit and user interface  1050  includes a computing system and user interface or input and display screen, such as a graphic touch screen. Computer processing unit and user interface  1050  is coupled (wired or wirelessly) to controller  1040  to communicate there between information corresponding to commands received from a user through the user interface  1050 . 
     Controller  1040  interfaces with computer processing unit  1050 , and based upon data/commands received from computer processing unit  1050 , controller  1040  will control the distance that motors  1020  and  1030  need to move chain  1012  to properly move associated hangers  1014  to/from the track system  1010  and to and from the loading/unloading display station  1070 . Controller  1040  further receives data from sensors  1100 , scanner  1080 , camera  1082 , loading/unloading display station  1070 , motors  1020 / 1030 , front/rear access door  1072   a / 1072   b  and actuator  1090 . This data is relayed to the computer processing unit  1050  for computations and/or memory storage. Computer processing unit translates user inputs into commands that are relayed to the controller  1040  to control sensors  1100 , scanner  1080 , camera  1082 , loading/unloading display station  1070 , motors  1020 / 1030 , front/read access door  1072   a / 1072   b , and actuator  1090 . These functions allow for the delivery of specific clothing items/garments from the ACS  100  at specified dates and times. Controller  1040  may also control the different levels of warming or heating of the clothing/garments to be delivered, as well as controlling the infusion of fragrances to specific clothing/garments to be retrieved. It is contemplated that controller  1040  and computer processing unit  1050  are operable to save programming, both user input as well as pre-programmed programs, for controlling ACS  1000 . Although illustrated as utilizing one controller  1040 , the number, and location of controllers is dependent upon the size of track system  1010  and number of functions required in specific implementations of the present invention. 
     Sensors  1100  are also coupled to controller  1040  and are placed in the track system  1010  for detection of manual removal/insertion of a hanger  1014  from a carrier  1011  and hanger holder  1017  for the ACS  1000 . 
     Actuators  1090  may be composed of either two single actuators, such as actuators  1092  and  1094  that are individually controlled actuators with one moving in an direction and the other moving in the ‘Y’ direction. It is also contemplated that instead of two individually controlled actuators, Actuators  1090  could be a single controlled actuator that is operable to be moved in both the ‘X’ and ‘Y’ directions. Actuators  1090  move hangers  1014  between the track system  1010  and hanger holders  1017 , through the access points  1013   a , proximate the loading/unloading display station  1070 . The ‘X’ and ‘Y’ directional movement of actuators  1090  facilitates the precise loading/unloading of garments from ACS  1000  as well as facilitating the use of multiple access points  1013   a , as well as multiple hanger holders  1017  in the loading/unloading station  1070 . 
     Hangers  1014  are configured with a top portion that can be detected while in a carrier  1011  or in a hanger holder  1017 . The neck portion  1420  of hanger  1014  constructed and shaped to facilitate quick and reliable connection with actuators  1090 . 
     Loading/unloading display station  1070  (described in more detail in reference to  FIG. 5 ) includes a user interface, front access door  1072   a  and rear access door  1072   b , and is operable to receive specified garments from ACS  1000  and placed in hanger holders  1017 . Station  1070  further facilitates the placement of garments, by the user, back into the ACS  1000 . Station  1070  further includes scanner  1080 , camera  1082  and various sensors used, in part, to track the removal and placement of garments from and into ACS  1000 . The front/rear access doors are controlled by controller  1040  and synchronized with entry and exiting clothing/garments. 
     Television mirror  1060  is a device that utilizes a television screen and camera than enables a user to use the television screen as a mirror with a selection of backgrounds. The camera is used to capture images of the user and place the image of the user onto the television screen with a user selected background, selected from a plurality of stored backgrounds, on the television. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2B , there is a representative illustrated cross-sectional view of a portion of the track  1018  of the present invention. As illustrated, track  1018  includes an outer perimeter or front portion  1610  and an inner perimeter or rear portion  1614 . Front portion  1610  includes a front track  1612  and rear portion  1614  includes a rear track  1616 , with front track  1612  and rear track  1616  being separated by a slot  1618 . Front track  1612  includes a front track guide or lip  1613  and rear track  1616  includes a rear track guide a lip  1615 . In a preferred embodiment the chain  1012  is disposed on rear track  1616  and extends around the entire track system  1010 . The size of track  1018  is configured to receive therein carriers  1011 , with the front legs  1540  of each of carrier  1011  received on front track  1612  and the rear legs  1540  received on rear track  1616 , with the rear legs  1540  of each carrier  1011  interfacing with the chain  1012  to facilitate the movement of each carrier  1011  around the track system  1010 . By way of illustration, an access point  1013   a  is illustrated on the front portion  1610  of track  1018 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3A-3F , there is illustrated various view of certain components of track system  1010 .  FIG. 3A  illustrates the front view of access points  1013   a  and  1013   b , with  FIG. 3B  illustrating the bottom view of access points  1013   b  and  FIG. 3C  illustrating the bottom view of access pints  1013   a . Each of access points  1013   a  and  1013   b  include multiple slots  1310  that are separated by multiple dividers  1320 . Access points  1013   a  ( FIGS. 3A, 3C and 3D ) are positioned proximate the loading/unloading display station  1070  and allow for hangers  1014  to be removed from track system  1010 , through slots  1310  and placed upon hanger holders  1017  via actuators  1090 , and further allow for hangers  1014  to be removed from hanger holders  1017 , through slots  1310 , and placed back onto track system  1010  via actuators  1090 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3B , access points  1013   b , which are located within closet area  1015 , include sensors  1100  disposed therein to detect the manual removal and placement of clothing within ACS  1000  by a user. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3D, 3E and 3F , there is illustrated a top view, front view and bottom view of a portion of the track system  1010  further illustrating the operation of the sprocket  1016  in the track system  1010 , wherein the sprocket  1016  is connected to and driven by motor  1020  and interfaces with receptacles  1016   a.    
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4A-4E , there is illustrated a more detailed view of a hanger  1014  ( FIG. 4A ) as wells more detailed views of a carrier  1011 , with  FIGS. 4B, 4C and 4D  being front view, top view and bottom view, respectively, and  FIG. 4E  being a front perspective view. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4A , hanger  1014  includes a top portion  1410 , a neck portion  1420  and a garment engaging portion  1430 . Hanger  1014  and carrier  1011  are shaped to efficiently and reliably facilitate the engagement and disengagement of hanger  1014  within the cavity portion  1521  via channel  1520  of the carriers  1011  of track system  1010 . The top portion  1410  of hanger is generally T-shaped and extends from the upper end of neck portion  1420 . The horizontal portion or cross portion of the T-shaped top portion  1410  is of a length such that when inserted into the cavity portion  1521  a carrier  1011 , it at least extends across the width the top  1510  of carrier  1011  and can engage thereon when inserted into carrier  1011 . 
     The neck portion  1420  of hanger  1014  is of a width less than the width of channel  1520  of carrier  1011 . The length of neck portion  1420  is such that when the top portion  1410  is engaged with the top  1510  of carrier  1011 , the neck portion can  1420  extend into and through channel  1520 , with garment engaging portion  1430  extending below carrier  1011 . 
     The shape and length of neck portion  1420  is further facilitates the ability of clamps or grabbers of the actuators  1090  to precisely move the hanger  1014  between the carries  1011  of track system  1010  and the loading/unloading display station  1070 . The carrier  1011  includes plurality of legs  1540  (4 being illustrated in  FIG. 4D ) that extend from the bottom  1530  of carrier  1011  whereby at least some of the legs  1540  are used to interface with the chain  1012  of track system  1010  to facilitate the movement of carrier  1011  (and therefore any hanger  1014  placed therein and any corresponding garment placed on hanger  1014 ). Carrier  1011  further includes an opening  1550  for sensors  1100  of track system  1010  to be able to facilitate the detecting of the presence or non-presence of a hanger  1014  within a carrier  1011 . The opening  1550  extends from the bottom platform  1560  to the bottom  1530  of carrier  1011 . In operation, each carrier  1011  is placed into track  1018  with the front two legs  1540  of carrier  1011  (legs proximate the opening of channel  1520 ) on the front track  1612  of track  1018 , and the rear two legs  1540  of carrier  1011  (legs distal the opening of channel  1520 ) on the rear track  1616 , whereby the rear two legs  1540  of carrier  1011  engage with and are moved by chain  1012 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , there is illustrated a more detailed view of an embodiment of the loading/unloading display station  1070 . As illustrated loading/unloading display station  1070  includes hanger holders  1017 , scanners  1080 , cameras  1082 , vents  1073 , thermocouple  1074  and a touch screen interface  1076 . The touch screen interface  1076  facilitates for the user the, by way of example, opening/closing of doors  1072 , the storing of clothing items, the taking of photos of the garments, the scanning of items, and the display of the temperature of loading/unloading display station  1070 . The touch screen interface  1076  is in operable communication with microprocessor controller  1040  and the computer processing unit  1050 , such that when an interface icon  1078  is touched by the user, a corresponding data signal is generated by the touch screen interface  1076  to activate the function of the particular icon. Scanners  1080  are utilized to scan and input identifying data from RFID/barcode numbers associated with each piece of clothing/garment that is being placed/removed from ACS  1000 . Cameras  1080  are utilized to take a digital image of the piece of clothing/garment, whereby the digital image is then associated with the identifying data scanned via the scanners  1080 . Sensors  1100  are utilized to detect the presence or absence of a hanger  1014  within a hanger holder. Vents  1073  work in conjunction with thermocouple  1074 , and are automatically adjusted in an open/close manner to corresponding measured temperatures measured by thermocouple  1074  within loading/unloading display station  1070 . Temperature inside the loading/unloading display station can be manually adjusted or pre-programmed by the user. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 a  and 6 b   , there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of interface screens utilizing thumbnails/icons that may be displayed at various times on touch screen interface  1076  during the operation the ACS  1000 . Home screen  6100  includes icons that are utilized to facilitate various functions for a user. In this embodiment, the icons represent functions that: allow a user to view the inventory of stored items in ACS  1000 ; allow a user to schedule deliveries of inventoried items in ACS  1000  to the loading/unloading display station  1070 ; and also facilitates access to the internet. Display  6200  includes icons that are utilized to facilitate the loading/unloading of item in the loading/unloading display station  1070 , as well as a calendar and the internet. Item screen  6300  illustrates an exemplary screen that allows a user to input information pertaining to an item to be stored in ACS  1000  facilitates, and further allows a user to edit/review/update information pertaining to an item already input into ACS  1000 . Category screen  6400 , illustrates a screen as a result of activating a selected category from home screen  6100 . By way of example, if the shirts icon of home screen  6100 , category screen  6400  would display icons of various types of shirts that have been entered into ACS  1000 , and would further permit a user to select either a specific shirt or yet another sub-category of shirts. 
     The month screen  6500  and the day screen  6600  of  FIG. 6 b    illustrated exemplary embodiment of calendars that can be access from any other screen displaying a calendar or schedule icon. The month screen  6500  allows a user to select a particular month and day, bringing up the day screen  6600  allowing a user to select a specific time on a selected day to schedule the delivery of a selected item to the loading/unloading display station. The display screens and icons illustrated in  FIGS. 6 a  and 6 b    exemplary only, and it is contemplated to be within the scope of this invention that icons and setup of any particular screen could be arranged numerous variation based upon a number of factors, including a particular user&#39;s preference, the size of the screen, the types of garments to be stored in the ACS  1000  and the like. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-6  collectively, an exemplary operation of ACS  1000  will now be set forth. For an initial placement of a garment into ACS  1000 , an RFID tag/sticker (or other form of unique identifier) is attached to the garment and the garment is then placed onto a hanger  1014 . The doors  1072  of loading/unloading display station  1070  are open, whereby the garment and hanger  1014  are placed into the loading/unloading station  1070  onto a hanger holder  1017 . The hanger holder  1017  detects the presence of a hanger  1014  therein. Upon the closing of the doors  1072 , scanner  1080  will scan the RFID tag, comparing the scanned information with stored RFID tag data to determine if the item is a new item or an item that has already been stored into the system. Upon the determination that the item has not yet been identified, display screen  6200  will display the status any item on a hanger  1014  on a hanger holder, such as, unknown, empty or information pertaining to a previously stored item. If the information corresponding to an item&#39;s RFID tag has not been stored into the memory of the computer processing unit  1050 , an “unknown” icon will be displayed. If scanner  1080  does not detect an RFID tag, a “no tag detected” icon can be displayed. If the scanner  1080  does not detect a tag, and there is no hanger detected by hanger holder  1017 , an “empty” icon will be displayed accordingly. For items that are scanned and the information corresponding to the RFID tag indicate that the item has been previously entered, and icon and short description of the corresponding known item will be presented. 
     For unknown items, the user selects the “unknown” icon on the display screen  6200 , bringing up an unpopulated item screen  6300 , allowing a user to input any information corresponding to the new item, such as description, category, origination, date stored, stored items that match or are properly paired with the new item, user notes and when last cleaned. Additionally, the user can select the calendar icon to schedule time and date for the ACS  1000  to retrieve the item and deliver it to the loading/unloading display station  1070 . It is contemplated that loading/unloading display station  1070  could be configured to deliver the garment at a user specified temperature, as well infusing the delivered garment with a user selected fragrance. In addition to the calendar option, the user is given an option to either take a picture of the new item with camera  1082 , to select a previously stored image, or to access the internet to download a corresponding image. Additionally an image of the user wearing the item could be generated utilizing TV mirror  1060 . The image(s) are then associated with the new item and stored into the memory of computer processing unit  1050 . 
     Upon the completion of the corresponding data and photos for the new item, the “store all” icon is selected, whereby the computer processing unit  1050  locates an empty carrier  1011  within the track system  1010  (the empty/occupied status of each carrier  1011  being tracked by computer processing unit  1050 ) is located an moved via chain  1012  to a corresponding location proximate loading/unloading display station  1070 . When the selected carrier  1011  is in the proper position proximate to the loading/unloading display station  1070 , actuators  1090  facilitate the transfer of the item on hanger  1014 , from hanger holder  1017  to the selected carrier  1011 . Information corresponding to the selected carrier  1011  and the RFID information of the item are stored by computer processing unit  1050 , with the location of each carrier  1011  being tracked by computer processing unit  1050 . 
     For items that have been previously stored in ACS  1000 , a user accesses home screen  6100  whereby a user can select one of the different displayed clothing/garment categories displayed thereon. When a category is selected, the touch screen interface  1076  displays lower level categories for the selected category as illustrated in category screen  6400 , which allows the viewing and selection of stored clothing items in that category. By way of example, upon the selection of the “shirts” icon of home screen  6100 , category screen  6400  may display various types of shirts, such as T-shirts, dress shirts etc. Upon the selection of a clothing item, item screen  6300  is displayed, whereby the user is presented with the options to: edit or view the stored information corresponding to the selected item; have the item delivered to the loading/unloading display station  1070 ; find suggested matching or paired outfits; and a calendar to schedule delivery of the item on a selected day and at a selected time. 
     When the deliver icon is chosen for the selected item, computer processing unit  1050  identifies the location of the selected item, and causes the movement of the corresponding carrier  1011  and hanger  1014  containing the item to a location proximate an empty hanger holder  1017  in the loading/unloading display station  1070 . The actuators  1090  transfer the hanger  1014  from the carrier  1011  to the identified empty hanger holder  1017 . The computer processing unit  1050  tracks the changed status of ACS  1000 . Subsequent to the opening and closing of doors  1072 , scanner  1080  performs a scan to detect whether the item has been removed from the loading/unloading display station  1070 . If scanner  1080  does not detect the tag of the item, the location is stored into the memory of computer processing unit  1050  as “no tag detected”. A “no tag detected” hanger holder  1017  in combination with a “no hanger present” for the hanger holder  1017  is then displayed on the touch screen interface  1076 . 
     If a user selects one of the calendar icons from one of the display screens, the month screen  6500  is displayed on the touch screen interface  1076 , giving the user the option of selecting the month and day to schedule the delivery of a chosen item to the loading/unloading display station  1070 . Upon the selection of a specific day, the day screen  6600  is displayed on the touch screen  1076 , giving the user the option to select the specific time of the deliver of the selected item. In addition to the selected time of day for delivery, a select deliver temperature and/or fragrance can also be selected, such that when the item is delivered to the loading/unloading display station  1070  the item will be heated/cooled to the selected temperature, and, if chosen, the item will be infused with the selected fragrance. 
     If a user selects the paired outfit icon, from one of the displays, a suggested paired clothing items screen is displayed, which would function the same as the category screen  6400 , but with multiple options for clothing items to be paired such as to create an outfit. 
     The specification has described, at least in part, one or more embodiments. The one or more embodiments described are used herein to illustrate the present invention, an aspect thereof, a feature thereof, a concept thereof, and/or an example thereof. A physical embodiment of an apparatus, an article of manufacture, a machine, and/or of a process that embodies the present invention may include one or more of the aspects, features, concepts, examples, etc. described with reference to one or more of the embodiments discussed herein. Further, from figure to figure, the embodiments may incorporate the same or similarly named functions, steps, modules, etc. that may use the same or different reference numbers and, as such, the functions, steps, modules, etc. may be the same or similar functions, steps, modules, etc. or different ones. 
     While particular combinations of various functions and features of the present invention have been expressly described herein, other combinations of these features and functions are likewise possible. The present invention is not limited by the particular examples disclosed herein and expressly incorporates these other combinations.