Patent Publication Number: US-2019172006-A1

Title: Systems and methods for managing an inventory of products purchased by customers from a retailer

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/463,175, filed on Mar. 20, 2017, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/310,535, filed Mar. 18, 2016, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates generally to managing product inventory and, in particular, to systems and methods for managing storage of products for customers after the products are purchased by the customers. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Customers often purchase products from retailers over the internet. Generally, the products purchased by a customer are delivered to an address provided by the customer. Some customers of retailers are small businesses, and depend on a steady stream of replenishment products, but do not have adequate storage space capacity for the replenishment products. Such customers often rely on separate storage spaces to store the replenishment products. Such storage spaces add to operation cost and are inconvenient because they are remote to the customers&#39; business location. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Disclosed herein are embodiments of systems, apparatuses, methods, and systems pertaining to managing an inventory of products purchased by a customer from a retailer. This description includes drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram of a system of managing inventory of products purchased by a customer from a retailer and stored by the retailer for the customer in accordance with some embodiments; 
         FIG. 2  is a functional diagram of an exemplary electronic inventory management device usable with the system of  FIG. 1  in accordance with some embodiments; and 
         FIG. 3  is a flow chart diagram of a process of managing inventory of products purchased by a customer from a retailer and stored by the retailer for the customer in accordance with some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     Elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present invention. Certain actions and/or steps may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required. The terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary technical meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions by persons skilled in the technical field as set forth above except where different specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing the general principles of exemplary embodiments. Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment. 
     Generally speaking, pursuant to various embodiments, systems and methods are provided for enabling a customer to purchase one or more products from a retailer and not take possession of the purchased product(s), but to permit the retailer to store the product(s) for the customer until a time when the customer chooses to take possession of the product(s). The customer is permitted to manage storage, delivery, and/or pick up options relative to the product(s) purchased from the retailer via a graphical customer access interface. 
     In one embodiment, a system of managing an inventory of products purchased by a customer from a retailer includes an order processing server of the retailer configured to process a purchase order by a customer for a plurality of products. The customer does not take possession of the plurality of products or cause delivery of the plurality of products at the time of the purchase order. The order processing server is configured to generate a graphical interface configured to permit the customer to select at least one storage location of the retailer for storing the plurality of products being purchased by the customer, duration of storage of the plurality or products being purchased by the customer at the selected at least one storage location of the retailer, and storage conditions for storing the plurality of products being purchased by the customer at the selected at least one storage location of the retailer. The order processing server is also configured to generate a price for the plurality of products based on the at least one storage location, duration of storage, and storage conditions selected by the customer. The system further includes an inventory management database configured to store electronic data associated with the plurality of products purchased by the customer, the plurality of products purchased by the customer at the price generated by the order processing server being marked in the inventory management database of the retailer as being purchased by the customer. The plurality of products marked as being purchased by the customer are stored at the at least one storage location of the retailer selected by the customer, for the storage duration selected by the customer, and at the storage conditions selected by the customer until subsequent delivery to the customer or pickup by the customer. The system further includes a customer access interface including a plurality of input fields configured to allow the customer to define one or both of: a delivery time period and a delivery destination for delivery of at least a portion of the plurality of products; and a pickup location; and a pickup time period for at least a portion of the plurality of products. 
     In another embodiment, a method of managing an inventory of products purchased by a customer from a retailer includes: processing, at an order processing server of the retailer, a purchase order by a customer for a plurality of products, wherein the customer does not take possession of the plurality of products or cause delivery of the plurality of products at the time of the purchase order; generating, via the order processing server, a graphical interface configured to permit the customer to select at least one storage location of the retailer for storing the plurality of products being purchased by the customer, duration of storage of the plurality or products being purchased by the customer at the selected at least one storage location of the retailer, and storage conditions for storing the plurality of products being purchased by the customer at the selected at least one storage location of the retailer; generating, via the order processing server, a price for the plurality of products based on the at least one storage location, duration of storage, and storage conditions selected by the customer; marking, in an inventory management database of the retailer, the plurality of products as being purchased by the customer at the price generated via the order processing server, the plurality of products marked as being purchased by the customer being stored at the at least one storage location of the retailer selected by the customer, for the storage duration selected by the customer, and at the storage conditions selected by the customer until subsequent delivery to the customer or pickup by the customer; and providing a customer interface including a plurality of input fields configured to allow the customer to define one or both of: a delivery time period and a delivery destination for delivery of at least a portion of the plurality of products; and a pickup location and a pickup time period for at least a portion of the products. 
     In yet another embodiment, a system of managing an inventory of products purchased by a customer from a retailer includes means processing a purchase order by a customer for a plurality of products. The customer does not take possession of the plurality of products or cause delivery of the plurality of products at the time of the purchase order. The means for processing is configured to: generate a graphical interface configured to permit the customer to select at least one storage location of the retailer for storing the plurality of products being purchased by the customer, duration of storage of the plurality or products being purchased by the customer at the selected at least one storage location of the retailer, and storage conditions for storing the plurality of products being purchased by the customer at the selected at least one storage location of the retailer. The means for processing is further configured to generate a price for the plurality of products based on the at least one storage location, duration of storage, and storage conditions selected by the customer. The system further includes means for marking the plurality of products as being purchased by the customer, the plurality of products marked as being purchased by the customer at the price generated by the means for processing being stored at the at least one storage location of the retailer selected by the customer, for the storage duration selected by the customer, and at the storage conditions selected by the customer until subsequent delivery to the customer or pickup by the customer. The system further includes means for allowing the customer to define one or both of: a delivery time period and a delivery destination for delivery of at least a portion of the plurality of products; and a pickup location and a pickup time period for at least a portion of the plurality of products. 
       FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of a system  100  for managing an inventory of products  190  purchased by a customer  110  from a retailer. The retailer may be any entity operating as a brick-and-mortar physical location and/or a website accessible via the internet by way of which products may be ordered by a customer  110 . A customer  110  may be an individual or business entity. Exemplary products that may be ordered by the customer  110  via the system  100  may include, but are not limited to, general-purpose customer goods, as well as consumable products, such as medications, food items, and dietary supplements. 
     The exemplary system  100  of  FIG. 1  includes an order processing server  130  of the retailer configured to process a purchase order by the customer  110  for one or more products  190 . The order processing server  130  may be implemented as one server at one location, or as multiple interconnected servers stored at multiple locations operated by or for the retailer. As described in more detail below, the order processing server  130  may communicate with one or more devices of system  100  via a network  125 . The network  125  may be a wide-area network (WAN), a local area network (LAN), a personal area network (PAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), or any other internet or intranet network, or combinations of such networks. Generally, communication between variously electronic devices of system  100  may take place over hard-wired, cellular, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth networked components or the like. In some embodiments, one or more electronic devices of system  100  may include cloud-based features, such as cloud-based memory storage. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the order processing server  130  is coupled to a customer information database  140 . In some embodiments, the customer information database  140  may be configured to store information associated with a customer  110  who orders products  190  from the retailer. In some embodiments, the customer information database  140  may store electronic information associated with the customer  110 , such as the customer&#39;s personal information, product order history, pending order status, product order options, and product storage, delivery, and/or pick-up options. The customer information database  140  may be stored, for example, on non-volatile storage media (e.g., a hard drive, flash drive, or removable optical disk) internal or external to the order processing server  130 , or internal or external to computing devices separate and distinct from the order processing server  130 . It will be appreciated that the customer information database  140  may likewise be cloud-based. 
     In some embodiments, the order processing server  130  may be also coupled to an electronic database storing information associated with the inventory of products  190  available to the customer  110  for purchase from the retailer. In other words, while the order processing server  130  is illustrated in  FIG. 1  as being coupled to one database (i.e., the customer information database  140 ), it will be appreciated that the order processing server  130  may be coupled to or physically incorporate two or more databases configured to store customer information (e.g., customer information database  140 ) and/or product inventory information (e.g., inventory management database  160 ). While the customer information database  140  and the inventory management database  160  are illustrated as two separate databases, it will be appreciated that the customer information database  140  and the inventory management database  160  can be incorporated into one device in one location. The customer  110  may access the order processing server  130  of the retailer via a customer computing device  120 , which may be a stationary, portable, and/or hand-held electronic device, for example, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet, a mobile phone, or any other electronic, processor-based device that may be configured for data entry and communication with the order processing server  130 . 
     In some embodiments, after placing an on order for one or more products  190  via the order processing server  130  using the customer computing device  120 , the customer  110  does not take possession of the purchased products  190  and does not request immediate delivery of the products  190 . Instead, the products  190  ordered by the customer  110  are stored for the customer  110  at a product storage facility  180  of the retailer as discussed in more detail below. In some embodiments, the order processing server  130  is configured to receive and process an order by a customer  110  for a product  190  from the customer computing device  120 , to receive and process payment for the product  190  from the customer  110 , and to transmit a product storage request based on the processed order (e.g., via the network  125 ) to an electronic inventory management device  150  at a product storage facility  180  of the retailer associated with the geographic location of the customer  110  who placed the order. It will be appreciated that while the order processing server  130  and the electronic inventory management device  150  may be located at separate physical locations (e.g., regional/central data center, product storage facility  180 , or the like), the system  100 , in some aspects, may be confined to a single product storage facility  180  of the retailer. 
     The electronic inventory management device  150  located at the product storage facility  180  of the retailer may be a stationary or portable electronic device, for example, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet, a mobile phone, or any other electronic device including a processor-based control circuit (i.e., control unit). In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the electronic inventory management device  150  is configured for data entry and processing as well as for communication with other devices of system  100  via the network  125  which, as described above, may be a wide-area network (WAN), a local area network (LAN), a personal area network (PAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), or any other internet or intranet network, or combinations of such networks. With reference to  FIG. 2 , an exemplary electronic inventory management device  150  configured for use with exemplary systems and methods described herein may include a control circuit or control unit  210  including a processor (for example, a microprocessor or a microcontroller) electrically coupled via a connection  215  to a memory  220  and via a connection  225  to a power supply  230 . The control unit  210  can comprise a fixed-purpose hard-wired platform or a partially or wholly programmable platform, such as a microcontroller, an application specification integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array, and so on. These architectural options are well known and understood in the art and require no further description here. 
     This control unit  210  can be configured (for example, by using corresponding programming stored in the memory  220  as will be well understood by those skilled in the art) to carry out one or more of the steps, actions, and/or functions described herein. In some embodiments, the memory  220  may be integral to the processor-based control unit  210  or can be physically discrete (in whole or in part) from the control unit  210  and is configured non-transitorily store the computer instructions that, when executed by the control unit  210 , cause the control unit  210  to behave as described herein. (As used herein, this reference to “non-transitorily” will be understood to refer to a non-ephemeral state for the stored contents (and hence excludes when the stored contents merely constitute signals or waves) rather than volatility of the storage media itself and hence includes both non-volatile memory (such as read-only memory (ROM)) as well as volatile memory (such as an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM))). Accordingly, the memory and/or the control unit may be referred to as a non-transitory medium or non-transitory computer readable medium. 
     The control unit  210  of the electronic inventory management device  150  is also electrically coupled via a connection  235  to an input/output  240  that can receive signals from the order processing server  130  (e.g., data from the customer information database  140  relating to a product order placed by the customer  110 ) or from any other source that can communicate with the electronic inventory management device  150  via a wired or wireless connection. The output  240  of the customer computing device  120  can also send signals to the order processing server  130  (e.g., data including product out-of-stock information regarding the product for which an order is placed by the customer  110  via the order processing server  130 ), or to any other device in wired or wireless communication with the electronic inventory management device  150 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the processor-based control unit  210  of the electronic inventory management device  150  is electrically coupled via a connection  245  to a user interface  250 , which may include a visual display or display screen  260  (e.g., LED screen) and/or button input  270  that provide the user interface  250  with the ability to permit an operator of the electronic inventory management device  150  to manually control the electronic inventory management device  150  by inputting commands via touch-screen and/or button operation and/or voice commands to, for example, set one or more business rules with respect to a product  190  stored at a product storage facility  180 . It will be appreciated that the performance of such functions by the processor-based control unit  210  of the electronic inventory management device  150  is not dependent on a human operator, and that the control unit  210  may be programmed to perform such functions without a human operator. 
     In some embodiments, the display screen  260  of the customer computing device  120  is configured to display various graphical interface-based menus, options, and/or alerts that may be transmitted from the electronic inventory management device  150  to, and displayed on, the customer computing device  120  in connection with various aspects of the order placed by the customer  110 . The inputs  270  of the electronic inventory management device  150  may be configured to permit an operator to navigate through the on-screen menus on the electronic inventory management device  150  and make changes and/or updates to the product orders and/or to the storage options for the products  190  ordered by the customer and stored at the product storage facility  180 . It will be appreciated that the display screen  260  may be configured as both a display screen and an input  270  (e.g., a touch-screen that permits an operator to press on the display screen  260  to enter text and/or execute commands.) 
     In some embodiments, the control circuit  210  of the electronic inventory management device  150  may be programmed to generate customer alerts in connection with the products ordered by the customer  110  via the order processing server  130 . The customer alerts may be generated by the electronic inventory management device  150  based on information received from the order processing server  130  and/or from the customer information database  140  and/or from the inventory management database  160 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the customer alerts may be transmitted from the electronic inventory management device  150  via the network  125  to the customer computing device  120 , and the customer computing device  120  may transmit data responsive to the customer alerts and/or other data to the electronic inventory management device  150  via the network  125 . For example, the electronic inventory management device  150  may transmit a signal over the network  125  to the customer computing device  120  indicating that the product  190  being stored at the product storage facility  180  has expired, and that a replenishment product  190  has been ordered but will arrive to the product storage facility  180  in three days. In some embodiments, customer alerts sent to the customer computing device  120  may include but is not limited to short message service (SMS) messages, electronic mail (e-mail) messages, voice mail messages, and/or push notifications (to a mobile application installed on the customer computing device  120 ). 
     In some embodiments, the control unit  210  of the electronic inventory management device  150  may be programmed to send an electronic query (e.g., via SMS, email, push notification, or the like) to the customer computing device  120 . For example, such an electronic query may accompany an electronic customer alert indicating that the temperature storage requirement for the product  190  has not been met at the product storage facility  180 , and asking the customer  110  to respond via a graphical retailer access interface  152  on a display screen of the customer computing device  120  by indicating whether the customer  110  is still willing to accept delivery of this product  190 . The customer  110  may then use the computing device  120  to respond to this query by indicating that the customer  110  is still willing to accept delivery of such a product, or to request that the retailer replenish such a product  190  with another, identical product  190 . 
     In some embodiments, the electronic inventory management device  150  at the product storage facility  180  may itself receive alert signals with respect to one or more products  190  being stored for the customer  110  at the product storage facility  180 . For example, in some embodiments, an alert signal received by the electronic inventory management device  150  may indicate that a product  190  stored at the product storage facility  180  is being stored at storage conditions not acceptable for that product  190  (e.g., temperature too high or too low). Such an alert may be an audible alert (e.g., a beep) or a visual alert (e.g., text-based message) that may be received at the electronic inventory management device  150 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the electronic inventory management device  150  is coupled to an inventory management database  160 . The electronic inventory management device  150  and the inventory management database  160  may be implemented as a single device at the product storage facility  180  retailer as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . It will be appreciated, however, that the electronic inventory management device  150  and the inventory management database  160  may be separate devices, and may be located at different physical locations. In some embodiments, the inventory management database  160  may be stored, for example, on non-volatile storage media (e.g., a hard drive, flash drive, or removable optical disk) internal or external to the electronic inventory management device  150 , or internal or external to computing devices separate and distinct from the electronic inventory management device  150 . In some embodiments, the inventory management database  160  may be cloud-based. 
     The exemplary inventory management database  160  of  FIG. 1  is configured to store electronic data associated with the products  190  ordered by the customer  110  and being stored for the customer  110  at the product storage facility  180 . Some exemplary electronic data that may be stored in the inventory management database  160  is discussed below. In some embodiments, the inventory management database  160  store electronic data indicating an inventory of available storage space (including location) and descriptions of the available storage space at the product storage facility  180 . For example, such descriptions of the available storage space at the product storage facility  180  may indicate the type of space (e.g., freezer, cooler, ambient, shelf, bin, pallet), and may be in the form of a grid-like map that indicates available storage space for products  190 . 
     In some embodiments, the customer  110  may access, review, and/or update the electronic data in the inventory management database  160  via a graphical customer access interface  122  displayed to the customer  110  on the customer computing device  120 . The graphical customer access interface  122  may include one or more graphical input fields  124  in the form of menu options and/or sub-interfaces that permit the customer  110  to manage storage and/or delivery options for one or more products  190  ordered by the customer  110  via the order processing server  130  and stored for the customer  110  at the product storage facility  180 . 
     For example, the graphical customer access interface  122  may permit the customer  110  to update the customer&#39;s account information, alert notifications, as well as storage location and/or temperature and/or delivery and/or pick-up options for one or more products  190  stored at the product storage facility  180 . In some embodiments, the graphical customer access interface  122  may permit the customer  110  to view electronic information pertaining to the products  190  purchased by the customer  110  and stored at a product storage facility  180  of the retailer, including, but not limited to: inventory of stored products  190  (e.g., types of products  190  stored, number of products  190  stored); initial date the product  190  was stored at the product storage facility  180 ; expiration and/or “use by” date of the product  190  stored at the product storage facility  180 ; special instructions (temperature storage requirement, etc.) pertaining to the products; and physical location of the products  190  at the product storage facility  180 . 
     In some aspects, the graphical customer access interface  122  includes input fields  124  that permit the customer  110  to set and/or modify delivery and/or pick-up and/or alert options for one or more products  190  stored for the customer  110  at the product storage facility  180 . For example, the customer  110  may utilize the graphical customer access interface  122  to: define a specific delivery date on which products  190  are to be delivered to the customer  110 ; define an interval for periodic delivery of the product  190  to the customer  110 ; define an entity (e.g., a business or person) other than the customer  110  to which the products  190  are to be delivered; define one or more products  190  that are to be picked up from the product storage facility  180 ; define replenishment options (e.g., at periodic intervals or based on number of units in inventory) for the products  190  at the product storage facility  180 ; and set a minimum number of units of a product  190  in inventory when to generate a replenishment alert or replenishment request. 
     In some embodiments, in response to the customer  110  entering and/or changing the customer&#39;s product storage and/or product delivery options via the graphical customer access interface  122 , the customer computing device  120  is configured to send a request to the inventory management database  160  (e.g., directly or via the electronic inventory management device  150 ) to update the electronic data stored in association with the customer  110  to reflect the changes by the customer  110  via the graphical customer access interface  122 . In other embodiments, in response to the customer  110  entering and/or changing the customer&#39;s personal information via the graphical customer access interface  122 , the computing device  120  is configured to send a request to the customer information database  140  (e.g., directly or via the order processing server  130 ) to update the electronic data stored in association with the customer  110  to reflect the changes by the customer  110  via the graphical customer access interface  122 . 
     In some embodiments, the graphical customer access interface  122  on the customer computing device  120  may be a mobile application (app) associated with the retailer and configured to display various above-described menu options, notifications, and/or alerts for the customer  110 . For example, electronic alerts may be transmitted to the customer computing device  120  from the electronic inventory management device  150  and/or from the order processing server  130 . For example, one alert that may be displayed by the graphical customer access interface  122  on the computing device  120  of the customer  110  is a notification (sent via SMS or e-mail) of temporary unavailability of a product  190  ordered by the customer  110  and stored at the product storage facility  180  (e.g., when the product  190  ordered by the customer  110  and stored at the product storage facility  180  was purchased by and delivered to another customer  110  indicating a more immediate need for a delivery when ordering the product  190 ). 
     In some embodiments, as a customer  110  is attempting to place an order for a product  190  via the order processing server  130 , the graphical customer access interface  122  on the customer computing device  120  is configured to permit the customer  110  to access the inventory management database  160  via a graphical interface generated by the order processing server  130  in order to get access to a listing of available space and type of space at the product storage facility  180  where the product  190  ordered by the customer  110  can be stored, and to select, within the graphical customer access interface  122  and via the graphical interface generated by the order processing server  130 , an available storage space at the product storage facility  180  where the product  190  will be stored. The inventory management database  160  is configured for real-time tracking of the inventory of available storage space at the product storage facility  180  and for real-time tracking of the inventory of products  190  stored at the product storage facility  180 . In some aspects, the graphical customer access interface  122  on the customer computing device  120  is configured to permit the customer  110 , via a graphical interface generated by the order processing server  130 , to select a required storage duration (1 day, 3 days, 5 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, etc.) for the product  190  at the selected storage location  180 ; storage conditions required for the product  190  (e.g., freezer, refrigeration, specific temperature range, vacuum isolation, soft padding, etc.); a type of product  190  specified by the customer (e.g., frozen, fresh, perishable, toxic, flammable, breakable, etc.); a total number of units of the products  190  being purchased by the customer (e.g., for bulk discount considerations); and delivery options selected by the customer  110  for the products  190  (e.g., worker, delivery services, unmanned aerial vehicle, etc.). 
     In some embodiments, after the customer  110  selects the desired parameters (e.g., available storage space, storage conditions, and storage duration, etc.), the order processing server  130  is configured to transmit such parameters over the network  125  to the inventory management database  160  (either directly or via the electronic inventory management device  150 ) for storage. As such, the inventory management database  160  is configured for real-time tracking of the product storage parameters selected by the customer  110  when attempting to purchase one or more products  190  via the order processing server  130 . In one aspect, the order processing server  130  is configured to transmit such parameters over the network  125  to the electronic inventory management device  150 , the control circuit  210  of which is programmed to analyze these parameters and to generate a price for the products  190  by factoring in at least one of the following factors: available space at the selected storage location  180  and/or proximity of the selected storage location  180  to the customer  110 ; storage duration required for the product  190 ; storage conditions required for the product  190 ; a type of product  190  specified by the customer; a total number of units of the products  190  being purchased by the customer; and delivery options selected by the customer  110  for the products  190 . 
     In some aspects, the control circuit  210  of the electronic inventory management device  150  is configured to generate a higher price for the products  190  in response to a determination by the order processing server  130  that the product type associated with the products  190  corresponds to a product type requiring specialized storage facilities and/or storage conditions resulting in a higher cost to the retailer. In some aspects, the electronic inventory management device  150  is configured to increase the generated price incrementally in response to incremental increases by the customer  110  of storage duration requirements for the purchased products  190  (e.g., $10/week, $20/weeks, $50/5 weeks, etc.). In some aspects, the electronic inventory management device  150  is configured to increase the generated price incrementally in response to incrementally more expensive delivery options for the retailer (e.g., $10/ground delivery within 3 days, $20/air delivery within 1 day, etc.). In some aspects, the electronic inventory management device  150  is configured to decrease the generated price incrementally in response to incrementally larger number of units of the products  190  being ordered by the customer  110  (e.g., $100/100 units, $900/1000 units, etc.). 
     After the electronic inventory management device  150  generates a price for the products  190  by analyzing the customer-selected product storage/delivery/pickup parameters discussed above, the electronic inventory management device  150  is configured to transmit the generated price to the inventory management database  160  for storage in association with the customer  110  and in association with the product storage/delivery/pickup parameters selected by the customer  110 . In some embodiments, after the electronic inventory management device  150  generates the price for the products  190  as discussed above, the electronic inventory management device  150  transmits this price to the order processing server  130 , which in turn displays, via the graphical interface generated by the order processing server  130  and via the graphical customer access interface  122 , the parameter-based product price generated by the electronic inventory management device  150  to the customer  110 , at which point the customer  110  can accept this price and place the order for the products  190  via the order processing server  130 . 
     In some embodiments, the storage of the generated prices in association with various combination of customer-selected product storage/delivery/pickup parameters enables a machine-learning function of the electronic inventory management device  150 . In other words, the storage of the generated prices in association with various combination of customer-selected product storage/delivery/pickup parameters in the inventory management database  160  permits the electronic inventory management device  150 , when presented by a subsequent customer  110  with a combination of product storage/delivery/pickup parameters that are already stored in the inventory management database  160  in association with a previously-generated product price, to skip the price-generating analysis and calculation, but instead to simply retrieve, from the inventory management database  160 , the product price previously generated by the electronic inventory management device  150  based on such parameters, thereby increasing the operating efficiency and processing speed of the electronic inventory management device  150 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the system  100  includes a worker electronic device  170  configured to scan identifying indicia located on the products  190  or on the packaging containing the products  190  and to receive instructions and/or alerts from the electronic inventory management device  150 . In some embodiments, the worker electronic device  170  is an electronic hand-held scanner that may be carried by a worker at the product storage facility  180 . Examples of suitable worker electronic device  170  may include, but are not limited to barcode readers, RFID readers, SKU readers, electronic tablets, cellular phones, or the like mobile electronic devices. 
     The identifying indicia on the products  190  that may be scanned by the worker electronic device  170  may include, but is not limited to: two dimensional barcode, RFID, near field communication (NFC) identifiers, ultra-wideband (UWB) identifiers, Bluetooth identifiers, images, or other such optically readable, radio frequency detectable or other such code, or combination of such codes. In some embodiments, the worker electronic device  170  may obtain electronic data associated with the products  190  at the product storage facility  180  by communicating via a communication channel (e.g., radio waves) with a unique identifying indicia (e.g., barcode, RFID (radio frequency identification), or SKU (stock keeping unit number)) on an exterior of the products  190  or on the bins or shelves where the products  190  are stored at the product storage facility  180 . Alternatively, electronic data identifying a product  190  at the product storage facility  180  may be manually entered into the worker electronic device  170  by the worker. 
     In some embodiments, after a product  190  ordered by a customer  110  arrives at the product storage facility  180 , a worker at the product storage facility  180  may scan the identifying indicia of the product  190  using the worker electronic device  170  when performing a task related to the product  190  (e.g., binning the product  190 ). Responsive to this scan, the worker electronic device  170  may transmit electronic data via the network  125  to the electronic inventory management device  150  as to inventory status of the scanned product  190  (e.g., “stored in bin”), as well as the physical location of the storage bin at the product storage facility  180 . In response to receiving such electronic data from the worker electronic device  170 , the electronic inventory management device  150  will update the inventory management database  160  to indicate the status of the product  190  and the location of the product  190  at the product storing facility  180  to facilitate easy retrieval of the product  190  at a later time by a worker at the product storage facility  180 . As such, the inventory management database  160  is updated in real-time to track both the inventory space and the inventory of products  190  at the product storing facility  180 . 
     Since the inventory management database  160  is updated in real-time with respect to the status and location of products  190  at the product storage facility  180 , the graphical customer access interface  122  available to a customer  110  on the customer computing device  120  further provides the customer  110  with the ability to track a product  190  the customer  110  purchased from the retailer and now stored at the product order facility  180 , for example, track the status, location, and storage conditions of the product  190  at the product storage facility  180 . In some embodiments, the graphical customer access interface  122  includes one or more graphical input fields  124  configured to permit the customer  110 , by entering information into the graphical input fields  124 , to select one or more specific locations at the product storage facility  180  where one or more products purchased by the customer  110  are to be stored, and/or to select a type of storage space (e.g., refrigerator, freezer, ambient, dark, etc.) at the product storage facility  180  for each of the products  190 . In addition, in some embodiments, the graphical customer access interface  122  includes one or more input fields  124  configured to permit the customer  110  to access electronic data stored in the inventory management database  160  indicating a location of the product storage facility  180  of the retailer where the products  190  purchased by the customer  110  are stored, and to access electronic data stored in the inventory management database  160  indicating a total number of units of the products  190  purchased by the customer  110  that are stored at a given product storage facility  180  of the retailer. 
     The graphical customer access interface  122  is not limited to just providing status updates to the customer  110  in relation to the products  190  purchased by the customer  110 . In some embodiments, the graphical customer access interface  122  includes one or more input fields  124  configured to permit the customer  110  to permit the customer  110 , via entering information into the input fields of the graphical customer access interface, to set various options in relation to the product  190 . Such options include but are not limited to: viewing and modifying a delivery list for one or more of the products  190  purchased by the customer  110  from the retailer and stored at the product storage facility  180 ; selecting delivery (and delivery date) of one or more of the products  190  purchased by the customer  110  from the retailer from the product storage facility  180  to a destination defined by the customer  110 ; selecting a pick-up date of one or more products  190  purchased by the customer  110  at one or more product storage facilities  180  of the retailer where the products  190  are stored; setting up time intervals for automatic delivery of one or more products  190  ordered by the customer  110  from the product storage facility  180  to the destination defined by the customer  110 ; and setting up periodic notification alerts to be sent to the customer computing device  120  to remind the customer  110  to arrange for delivery, pick-up, and/or reorder of one or more of the products  190  purchased by the customer  110  and now storage at the product storage facility  180  of the retailer. 
     The system  100  not only provide a customer  110  with a graphical customer access interface  122 , but providers the retailer with a graphical retailer access interface  152  configured to provide the retailer with the ability to set and/or modify multiple options relating to the storage of the products  190  ordered by the customer  110  and stored at the product storage facility  180  of the retailer. The graphical retailer access interface  152  may be accessible via the electronic inventory management device  150  and/or via the worker electronic device  170 . In some embodiments, the graphical retailer access interface  152  includes input fields  154  configured to permit the retailer to access the inventory management database  160  to view electronic data associated with the products  190  purchased by the customer  110  and stored at one or more product storage facilities  180  of the retailer. In addition, the graphical retailer access interface  152  includes input fields  154  configured to permit the retailer to set one or more business rules in association with the products  190  purchased by the customer  110  and stored at the product storage facilities  180  of the retailer. 
     For example, the retailer access interface  152  may include input fields  154  configured to permit the retailer, via entering information into the input fields  154 , to set at least one business rule governing pricing, storage requirements, and/or delivery options associated with the products  190  purchased by the customer  110  and stored at one or more product storage facilities  180  of the retailer. For example, a business rule specified by the retailer via the graphical retailer access interface  152  may set the pricing of a product  190  to be based on a total number of units of the products  190  purchased by the customer  110 , such that the more units of a product  190  the customer  110  orders from the retailer, the lower the price per unit would be. In some embodiment, the retailer may utilize the graphical retailer access interface  152  to set one or more business rules setting different prices based on a type of product  190  (e.g., flammable, frozen, fresh, perishable, toxic, breakable, etc.) to be stored at the product storage facility  180 . 
     In some embodiments, a business rule specified by the retailer via the graphical retailer access interface  152  may set pricing to be based on availability of storage space within a desired storage area of a product storage facility  180 . For example, when a customer  110  agrees that some units of the product  190  ordered by the customer  110  may be stored at different product storage facilities  180  (which may be cost-effective for the retailer in certain situations), the business rule specified by the retailer via the graphical retailer access interface  152  may provide for lower pricing for such a product  190 . In some embodiments, to provide for a discount to a customer  110  for driving to pick up products  190  from a product storage facility  180  that is not geographically convenient for the customer  110 , a business rule specified by the retailer via the graphical retailer access interface may provide for a price discount to the customer  110  if the customer has to drive a distance that exceeds a certain preset distance value (e.g., 10 miles, 20 miles, 30 miles etc.). When time-sensitive and/or perishable products  190  having expiration dates are stored at the product storage facility  180 , the retailer may utilize the graphical retailer access interface  152  to set one or more business rules governing periodic rotation/replacement of the stored products  190  with newer/fresher products  190 . Such business rules ensure that the products stored at the product storage facility  180  are fresh and are not past their expiration date. 
     In some embodiments, the system  100  may include a rules engine configured to control business rules that may be implemented by the retailer and/or the customer  110 . The rules engine may, for example, restrict abuse of storage space at a product storage facility  180  and prevent a retailer and/or a customer  110  from setting a business rule that is outside of a permitted rule threshold. The rules engine may also govern situations pertaining to product abandonment by a customer  110 , product recall manufacturer, product trades between customers  110 , and/or product upgrades by a customer. The rules engine, while providing flexibility to both the retailer and the customer  110  to set a multitude of business rules that may govern the purchase and/or storage of a product purchased by the customer  110  at the product storage facility  180 , also ensure that the business rules are within a certain acceptable range. 
     In some embodiments, each product  190  purchased by customers  110  and stored at the product storage facility  180  of the retailer includes a smart label  195 . The smart labels  195  may be configured with various functions that facilitate proper storage of the product  190  at a given product storage facility  180 . For example, a smart label  195  may be configured to monitor an expiration date and storage conditions for a product  190  purchased by the customer  110 . In some embodiments, a smart label  195  on a product  190  may include one or more sensors that monitors storage conditions of the product  190 , including but not limited to temperature, humidity, dust count, pollen count, and/or allergen count. For instance, the smart label  195  may be configured to generate and transmit at least one alert indicating an approaching expiration date, a past expiration date, at least one unacceptable storage condition (e.g., a temperature that is too high or too low), and/or an incorrect storage location or placement at the product storage facility  180  for the product  190  purchased by the customer  110 . Such an alert, when generated by the smart label  195 , may be transmitted to the worker electronic device  170  at the product storage facility  180  to instruct the worker to remedy the condition giving rise to the alert and/or to the customer computing device  120  of the customer  110  who purchased the product  190 . 
     In response to receiving such an alert from the smart label  195  at his or her worker electronic device  170 , the worker at a given product storage facility  180  may then perform a worker task remedying the condition giving rise to the alert. For example, in response to receiving an alert from the smart label that a product  190  has reached its expiration date, the worker may pick the expired product  190  from its storage location and dispose of the expired product  190 , then either replacing the expired product  190  at the storage location dedicated to the customer  110  with an unexpired product  190 , or to enter a replenishment request via the worker electronic device  170  to request delivery of an unexpired product  190  to the product storage facility  180 . The worker tasks of the worker entered via the worker electronic device  170  are communicated via the network  125  to the inventory management database  160  such that the inventory management database  160  may be updated in real time to indicate that an expired one of the products  190  purchased by the customer  110  has been replaced by an identical product  190  having a later expiration date and/or that at a product  190  purchased by the customer  110  and stored in unacceptable storage conditions has been moved to a storage location at the product storage facility  180  having acceptable storage conditions for such a product  190 . 
     In certain situations, after a customer orders multiple units of a product  190  and does not require delivery of the products for a preset period of time (e.g., 1, 2, 3, or 4 weeks), it may be advantageous for the retailer to utilize the units of product  190  stored at the product storage facility  180  for the original customer  110  to sell these units to another customer  110  who purchases the product  190  and indicates an urgent need for delivery of the product  190 . In such instances, the retailer is able to sell and deliver the units of product  190  stored at the product storage facility  180  to the other customer  110 , and to replenish the sold units of the product  190  by getting additional units of the product  190  delivered to the product storage facility  180 . To provide for such situations, the graphical retailer access interface  152  may be configured to permit the retailer to set at least one business rule permitting one or more of the products  190  purchased by the customer  110  and stored at the product storage facility  180  to be delivered to a different customer of the retailer to fulfill an active order for a product  190 , and providing for replacement, at the product storage facility  180 , of the products  190  purchased by the customer  110  after removal of the original units of the products  190  from the product storage facility  180  and sold and delivered to the different customer  110 . 
     The business rules that may be set by the retailer using the graphical retailer access interface  152  in relation to the products  190  stored at the product storage facility  180  may relate to various aspects of storage of products  190  at the product storage facility  180 , delivery of products  190  from the product storage facility  180  to the customer  110 , and/or pick-up of the products  190  from the product storage facility  180  by the customer  110 . For example, the retailer may utilize the graphical retailer access interface  152  to set business rules relating to temperature requirements of various products  190  to be stored at the product storage facility  180 . For example, the retailer may set business rules permitting products  190  that must be frozen and/or refrigerated during storage to be stored at a given product storage facility  180 . By the same token, a business rule prohibiting storage of such products  190  at one or more product storage facilities  180  may be set by the retailer using the graphical retailer access interface  152 . 
     In some embodiments, the retailer may utilize the graphical retailer access interface  152  to set business rules enabling or prohibiting pick up of products  190  by the customer  110  from a given product storage facility  180 . In other words, some product storage facilities  180  may be designated by a business rule to be delivery-only, with no in-person pick up allowed. For product storage facilities  180  where in-person pick up by customers  110  is permitted, the retailer may utilize the graphical retailer access interface  152  to set business rules designating certain areas of the product storage facility  180  as secure areas inaccessible by the customers  110  and/or to designate certain areas of the product storage facility  180  as permitting customer-only access. 
     In some embodiments, the system  100  includes one or more devices configured to pick one or more products  190  from one or more storage shelves at the product storage facility  180  and to load the products  190  picked from one or more shelves at the product storage facility  180  into a delivery vehicle tasked with delivering the products  190  to the customer  110 . In other embodiments, the system  100  includes one or more devices configured to pick one or more products  190  from one or more storage shelves at the product storage facility  180  and to place the products  190  picked from one or more shelves at the product storage facility  180  in a product pick up area designated by the customer  110  for picking up the products  190 . Such devices may include but are not limited to robotic picking arms, conveyors, and the like. 
     In some embodiments, the system  100  may be available to and accessible by the customers  110  and retailers via desktop-based computing devices using desktop-based (e.g., Windows or Mac) operating systems, or via mobile-based computing devices using mobile-based operating systems such as IOS and Android. For example, a customer  110  having a previously established account with a retailer may initially connect to the order processing server  130  of the system  100  using the customer computing device  120  via a dot.com access (e.g., via the retailer&#39;s dedicated website) by using a unique identification (e.g., login/password combination) to gain access to the graphical customer access interface  122 . Similarly, the retailer may connect to the system  100  using a login/password combination entered into the electronic inventory management device  150  to gain access to the graphical retailer access interface  152 . 
     In some embodiments, when a customer  110  initially sets up an online account with the retailer, the system  100  (i.e., order processing server  130  or another server on the system  100  dedicated to new customer sign-up) is configured to permit the customer  110  to generate a customer profile including personal information of the customer  110  (e.g., name, address, phone number, and the like), payment methods (e.g., credit card information), as well as product storage and/or delivery settings of the customer  110  (e.g., storage temperatures, time intervals for delivery of products, etc.). It will be appreciated that the customer  110  may select new options and/or update previously selected options at any time after setting up the account with the retailer. In some embodiments, the personal information of the customer  110  and any product storage and/or delivery options selected by the customer  110  are stored in the customer information database  140  and/or inventory management database  160  for subsequent retrieval by the order processing server  130  (e.g., in response to a login request or product order placement by the customer  110 ). 
     In some embodiments, as the customer  110  is connecting to the retailer&#39;s website (e.g., via a login interface), the order processing server  130  may request a verification of the identity (e.g., username/password) of the customer  110 . The order processing server  130  may first verify the identity of the customer  110  (e.g., by comparing the username/password data entered by the customer  110  into the login interface against username/password data in the profile of the customer  110  stored in the customer information database  140 ). The order processing server  130  may then associate the customer profile with the identity of the customer  110 , retrieve the customer profile from the customer information database  140  based on information stored in the profile, and send the retrieved customer account information to the above-described software-implemented graphical retailer access interface  152  that is displayed to the customer  110  on the customer computing device  120  and which permits the customer  110  to customize various options relating to the ordering of products  190  from the retailer and storage of the purchased products at the product storage facility  180 . 
       FIG. 3  shows an exemplary method  300  of managing inventory of products  190  purchased by a customer  110  from a retailer. After a customer  110  purchases one or more products  190  from the retailer via an order processing server  130  of the retailer, the method  300  includes processing, at the order processing server  130  of the retailer, the purchase order of the customer  110  for the one or more products  190  (step  310 ). In the exemplary method  300  shown  FIG. 3 , the customer  110  does not take possession of the products  190  or cause delivery of the products  190  at the time of the purchase order (step  310 ). Instead, as described above, the one or more products  190  purchased by the customer are stored at one or more product storage facilities  180  of the retailer in accordance with one or more business rules set by the customer  110  and/or the retailer. 
     In some embodiments, as the customer  110  is attempting to place an order for one or more products  190  via the order processing server  130 , the system  100  generates a graphical interface that enables the customer  110  to select various parameters associated with storage of the products  190  being purchased by the customer  110 . To that end, the exemplary method  300  shown in  FIG. 3  includes generating, via the order processing server  130 , a graphical interface configured to permit the customer  110  to select at least one storage location (i.e., product storage facility  180 ) of the retailer for storing the plurality of products  180  being purchased by the customer  110 , duration of storage of the plurality or products being purchased by the customer at the selected at least one storage location of the retailer, and storage conditions for storing the plurality of products being purchased by the customer at the selected at least one storage location of the retailer (step  320 ). In one aspect, such a graphical interface is generated by the order processing server  130  via electronic data transmitted to the order processing server  130  over the network  125  by the electronic inventory management device  150 . 
     In some aspects, after the customer  110  is permitted to select one or more storage locations  180 , the required duration of storage of the products  190  at the storage locations  180 , and the required storage conditions for the products  190 , the control circuit  210  of the electronic inventory management device  150  analyzes the product storage parameters selected by the customer and generates a price for the products  190  based on these parameters. To that end, the exemplary method  300  of  FIG. 3  includes generating, via the order processing server  130 , a price for the plurality of products  190  based on the at least one storage location  180 , duration of storage, and storage conditions selected by the customer  110  (step  330 ). After the purchase order of the customer  110  for one or more products  190  is processed at the order processing server  130 , the exemplary method  300  further includes marking, in an inventory management database  160  of the retailer, the plurality of products  190  as being purchased by the customer  110  at the price generated via the order processing server  130 , the plurality of products  190  marked as being purchased by the customer  110  being stored at the at least one storage location  180  of the retailer selected by the customer  110 , for the storage duration selected by the customer  110 , and at the storage conditions selected by the customer  110  until subsequent delivery to the customer  110  or pickup by the customer  110  (step  340 ). As discussed above, the customer  110  may define a specific date on which the products  190  purchased by the customer  110  and stored at the product storage facility  180  are to be delivered from the product storage facility  180  to the customer  110  or picked up from the product storage facility  180  by the customer  110 , or may set predefined intervals at which a certain number of units of a given product  190  are to be delivered from the product storage facility  180  to the customer  110  or picked up from the product storage facility  180  by the customer  110 . 
     As discussed above, the customer  110  may set and modify storage and delivery options for the products  190  purchased by the customer  110  from the retailer and stored at the product storage facility  180  of the retailer using a graphical interface provided on the customer computing device  120 . To that end, the exemplary method  300  further includes providing a graphical customer access interface  122  including a plurality of input fields  124  configured to allow the customer  110  to define one or both of: a delivery time period and a delivery destination for delivery of at least a portion of the products  190  purchased by the customer  110 ; and a pickup location and a pickup time period for at least a portion of the products  190  purchased by the customer (step  350 ). As discussed above, the graphical customer access interface  122  includes a plurality of input fields  124  configured to permit the customer  110  to select one or more storage locations  180  where the products  190  being purchased are to be stored, the required duration of storage of the products  190  at the storage locations  180 , the required storage conditions for the products  190 , a type of product  190  being purchased, a number of units of each product  190  being purchased, and a delivery (e.g., truck, unmanned aerial vehicle, etc.) and/or pick up method (e.g., store, locker, etc.) for the products  190 . As discussed above, the retailer is also provided with a graphical retailer access interface (accessible, for example, via the electronic inventory management device  150 ) that permits the retailer to implement various business rules associated with the storage of products  190  purchased by the customer  110  at product storage facility  180 . 
     The systems and methods described herein advantageously allow customers to purchase products from a retailer and have a virtual on-hand inventory of products without having to physically store the purchased products at their facilities. Instead, the purchased products are advantageously stored at one or more product storage facilities of the retailer. The customers are provided with a graphical customer access interface that permits the customers to manage the storage and delivery options for the products, enabling the customers to set suitable storage conditions and spaces for their products, get on-demand or periodic delivery of the products from the product storage facility to the customer, and to set replenishment conditions for the products stored at the product storage facilities. This provides a significant operation cost reduction for the customers, and increases customer return and profits for the retailers. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety of other modifications, alterations, and combinations can also be made with respect to the above described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention, and that such modifications, alterations, and combinations are to be viewed as being within the ambit of the inventive concept.