Patent Description:
The present application is directed to an access and storage system and method, and more particularly, to an access and storage system and method for relatively large items.

Retailers often provide or utilize websites, mobile applications, and other channels to facilitate ordering and/or purchasing goods from locations remote from a brick-and-mortar retail location. In order to take possession of the remotely ordered or purchased item, the customer generally must either wait for the purchased item to be delivered to the customer, or alternatively travel to the store during the store's business hours to retrieve the item. Some existing systems may allow relatively small packages to be picked up after business hours, but such systems can be difficult to utilize and may not accommodate larger items or larger quantities of items bundled together in a single order. <CIT>discloses a pair of carts that are clamped together, with the drawers facing each other so that the drawers cannot be accessed during transport. The carts are then positioned inside the cabinet enclosure, and items can be dispensed through an access portal. <CIT> discloses an internet delivery device for temporal storage of delivery goods, the device having a compartment with an access door associated with a locking device and a handcart for transporting the good.

The invention provides an access and storage system and a method as set out in the accompanying claims.

<FIG> illustrate certain embodiments of an access and storage system <NUM> which can be utilized in a variety of transactions for facilitating transfer of items, products or the like. For example in one case the access and storage system <NUM> can enable the transfer of any of a variety of items or products between two users or parties, in one case termed a "stocking" party and a "retrieving" party, in a secure manner that requires little or no direct or interpersonal interaction between the parties at the time of purchase and/or transfer. The stocking party may in one case be a seller, retailer, or picker or other employee at a retail or wholesale store preparing an order for pick up. The retrieving party may in one case be the customer who placed the order, purchased the items and/or takes possession of the items. The systems and methods disclosed herein may alternately be used to facilitate transfer of items in contexts other than sales, such as transfer of leased, rented, gifted, or borrowed property, for example to facilitate rental of equipment from a hardware store.

Referring now to <FIG>, in one embodiment, the access and storage system <NUM> includes one or more storage compartments or stalls <NUM>. Each storage compartment <NUM> can comprise or be defined by a generally enclosed framework <NUM> that can store therein one or a more items, products, supplies, tools, components, parts, ingredients, kits, consumables, or the like <NUM> (collectively termed "items" herein). The item <NUM> can take any of a wide variety of forms, depending upon the business of the stocking party and the setting in which the system <NUM>/storage compartment <NUM> is utilized.

The storage compartment <NUM> may be relatively large, for example between at least about <NUM> feet and at least about <NUM> feet wide (but less than about <NUM> feet wide in one case), between at least about <NUM> feet and at least about <NUM> feet high (but less than about <NUM> feet high in one case), and between at least about <NUM> feet and at least about <NUM> feet deep (but less than about <NUM> feet deep in one case). In one embodiment the compartment <NUM> is about <NUM> feet wide, about <NUM>-<NUM> feet high, and about <NUM> feet deep, or larger. Accordingly, the storage compartment <NUM> can be large enough to receive therein a wheeled conveyance device <NUM>, such as a flatbed cart, a grocery cart, a dolly, a lumber cart, a wheeled rack, a wheeled material handling device or the like, along with appropriately-sized items <NUM> stored in or on the wheeled conveyance device <NUM>. The storage compartment <NUM> may also be sized such that a person having a height of at least about six feet in one case, or an otherwise average sized human adult, can entirely enter the compartment <NUM> to position the wheeled conveyance <NUM> and any items <NUM> thereon or therein into the storage compartment <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a single storage compartment, and as shown in <FIG> in some embodiments the access and storage system <NUM> can include or take the form of a plurality of storage compartments <NUM>. In this case different ones of the storage compartments <NUM> may have different dimensions, for example to accommodate differently-sized items <NUM>, or alternatively each storage compartment <NUM> in the system <NUM> can have the same size and shape. In the depicted embodiments, the storage compartment <NUM> is shaped as a rectangular prism, but the storage compartment <NUM> may alternatively have any of a variety of other shapes.

The compartment <NUM> can have a base/bottom surface <NUM> that can be part of or defined by the framework <NUM>, or may instead comprise the underlying floor or underlying support/ground surface such that the wheeled conveyance device <NUM> is rollable directly through an opening <NUM> and into the storage compartment <NUM>. The base <NUM> may thus be at a same elevation as (e.g. within about one inch in one case, to avoid having to wheel a potentially heavy conveyance device <NUM> over relatively high obstructions/ramps) and/or substantially coplanar with the ground or underlying or immediately adjacent support/ground surface, upon which the storage component <NUM> is situated. In this case the door <NUM> may lack a frame component along its bottom surface, or if the door <NUM> does have a frame component along its bottom surface a ramp or the like may be provided on either side thereof, or the frame component may be recessed, to enable the wheeled conveyance <NUM> or items with wheels (such as appliances) to roll into the compartment <NUM>. Thus the wheeled conveyance <NUM> can be positioned at a same elevation immediately before and after being wheeled into the compartment <NUM>. On the other hand, if the compartment <NUM>/framework <NUM> does not rest directly on the ground, the base <NUM> of the compartment <NUM> may be elevated from the ground or underlying support surface and a ramp, elevator, conveyor, or other device may be used to facilitate rolling the wheeled conveyance device <NUM> into the compartment <NUM>.

The compartment <NUM> may be anchored to the ground or underlying support surface, or an adjacent wall or other structure. Thus the framework <NUM> can take the form of a five sided prism with an open bottom or a six sided prism with a bottom. However, the framework <NUM> can include less than five (or six) sides when positioned adjacent to fixed walls, structures or the like. Moreover, while the framework <NUM> is illustrated in the form of an open mesh framework, which can allow air circulation and visibility, the framework <NUM> can take the form of more solid or substantial walls for improved security.

Each compartment <NUM> may include or be divided into a main portion <NUM> and a sub-compartment <NUM>. In some embodiments, the compartment <NUM> may include more than one sub-compartment <NUM>. The main portion <NUM> can be substantially larger than the sub-compartment <NUM>, and the sub-compartment <NUM> may be positioned above or to one side of the main portion <NUM>. For example, in one embodiment the compartment <NUM> is about six feet high in total, where the main portion <NUM> is about five feet high and the sub-compartment <NUM> is about one foot high, positioned above the main portion <NUM> and extending the entire width and depth thereof. Accordingly, when the sub-compartment <NUM> is positioned at the top of the compartment <NUM>, and positioned entirely above the door <NUM>, the sub-compartment <NUM> reduces interference with access to the main portion <NUM> by the wheeled conveyance device <NUM>. The sub-compartment <NUM> may be a permanent shelf, or, as discussed in more detail below, the sub-compartment <NUM> may include or be defined by a storage shelf <NUM> that may be collapsed to increase the size of the main portion <NUM> to accommodate larger items that would otherwise not fit into the storage compartment <NUM> due to interference with the sub-compartment <NUM>.

Each compartment <NUM> may include a first or main door <NUM> corresponding to the main portion <NUM> and a second or sub-compartment door <NUM> corresponding to the sub-compartment <NUM> to control access to the compartment <NUM>. The doors <NUM>, <NUM> may each be pivotally/hingedly mounted to the framework <NUM> and movable independently of each other and cover/close associated access openings <NUM>, <NUM>. The access opening <NUM> may be sized and configured to allow an average-sized adult to pass or walk therethrough in a fully or substantially upright manner to access/enter the main portion <NUM>/storage compartment <NUM>/framework <NUM>. In addition the access opening <NUM>, or at least a bottom portion thereof, may have a width of at least about two feet in one case, or at least about three feet in another case, to allow a sufficiently-sized wheeled conveyance <NUM> to pass therethrough.

The doors <NUM>, <NUM>, may be physically coupleable to optionally move together as a unit to access the main portion <NUM> and the sub-compartment <NUM> simultaneously (or to access an enlarged main portion <NUM> in an embodiment with a collapsible storage shelf <NUM> in the collapsed position). In one embodiment, the compartment <NUM> may include further openings and/or doors at a rear location thereof (not shown), opposite the doors <NUM>, <NUM>, to provide a secondary access route to the interior of the compartment <NUM>, for example to provide additional stocking options to the stocking party. Moreover, in some embodiments (outside the scope of the claims) only a single larger door <NUM> may be utilized, which covers both openings <NUM>, <NUM> and thereby controls access to both the main portion <NUM> and the sub-compartment <NUM>, as shown for example in <FIG>.

The access and storage system <NUM> can be configured to selectively control access to the compartment <NUM>, though access to the compartment <NUM> need not necessarily be so controlled. In one embodiment, access may selectively granted to the main portion <NUM> and/or sub-compartment <NUM> of a particular compartment <NUM>, but access may be denied to the other portion of the compartment <NUM>, by selectively locking/unlocking only one of the first door <NUM> or the second door <NUM> for that compartment <NUM>. Access to the compartment <NUM> through one or both of the doors <NUM>, <NUM> may be controlled with a manual lock, or alternately through a controller <NUM> as discussed in more detail below.

Referring now to <FIG> and <FIG>, the sub-compartment <NUM> includes or is defined by a collapsible shelf <NUM> movable between an expanded position where the shelf <NUM> is deployed for use and a compact or collapsed position where the shelf <NUM> is stowed. When the shelf <NUM> is in its collapsed position, substantially the entire height of the storage component <NUM> is defined by the main compartment <NUM> and available to accommodate a single relatively large order. <FIG> depict an embodiment where the shelf <NUM>, when in its expanded position has a width (in the left-to-right direction) that extends substantially the entirety of the width of the compartment <NUM>, and a depth (in the front-to-back direction) that extends the majority of the depth of the compartment <NUM>, for example at least about <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, or <NUM>% of the width and/or depth of the compartment <NUM>. <FIG> depict an embodiment where the shelf <NUM> is more shallow than that of <FIG>, having a depth that is less than about <NUM>%, <NUM>%, or <NUM>% of the full depth of the compartment <NUM> in which it is installed.

In the embodiments of <FIG> and <FIG>, the collapsible shelf <NUM> is coupled to the ceiling/upper surface <NUM> of the storage compartment <NUM>/framework <NUM> by a plurality of suspended supports <NUM> coupled to the shelf <NUM> by a plurality of first or upper hinges <NUM> and second or lower hinges <NUM>, respectively. The upper hinges <NUM> pivotally couple the supports <NUM> to the ceiling <NUM> of the storage component <NUM> and the lower hinges <NUM> pivotally couple the supports <NUM> to the platform <NUM> of the generally flat/planar collapsible shelf <NUM>.

The access and storage system <NUM> may include a locking mechanism (not shown) to releasably secure the collapsible shelf <NUM> in the each of the expanded and collapsed positions. In the expanded position, the shelf <NUM> is suspended from the ceiling <NUM> with the platform <NUM> of the shelf <NUM> substantially parallel with the ceiling <NUM> and the supports <NUM> substantially perpendicular thereto, thereby defining the sub-compartment <NUM>. In the collapsed position, the collapsible shelf <NUM> is positioned with the platform <NUM> thereof immediately adjacent to the ceiling <NUM> and parallel thereto. The collapsible shelf <NUM> is movable between the expanded position and the collapsed position by pivoting the collapsible shelf <NUM> via the network of hinges <NUM>, <NUM> in accordance with the movements indicated by arrows <NUM> in <FIG> and <FIG> to substantially flatten the collapsible shelf <NUM> against the ceiling <NUM> of the storage component <NUM>.

In alternative embodiments, the collapsible shelf <NUM> may include alternative or additional structures for transitioning between the expanded and collapsed positions. In an example not forming part of the claimed invention, the shelf <NUM> may be hingedly coupled to a side wall of the storage compartment <NUM>, and the shelf <NUM> may be positioned adjacent to and substantially flat against the side wall when in the collapsed position. The shelf <NUM> could then be pivoted to such that its platform <NUM> is positioned substantially perpendicular to the side wall to which it is attached and secured to the opposite side wall and/or the ceiling <NUM> when in the expanded position. In a further example, the collapsible shelf <NUM> may be entirely removable from the storage component <NUM>. The collapsible shelf <NUM> may include additional panels along the sides and/or back thereof to fully contain items thereon, and such additional panels may be attached via hinges or other flexible structures to facilitate folding of the shelf <NUM> to and from the collapsed position.

As shown in <FIG>, the access and storage system <NUM> can include multiple storage compartments <NUM>/framework <NUM> arranged side-by-side in a row or even in an array with ramps provided to the upper compartment <NUM>. Each storage compartment <NUM> can have the same characteristics and qualities of the storage compartment <NUM> described above. The access and storage system <NUM> can be configured to selectively control access to all or certain compartments <NUM>, or certain main portions <NUM> and/or sub-compartments <NUM> thereof. In particular, the access and storage system <NUM> may include or be associated with a controller <NUM> (<FIG>) which a user can interact with to gain access to all or certain portions of the storage compartments <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may take the form of a processor, CPU, computer or the like, and may include or be operatively coupled to sensors <NUM> to detect and/or track the presence and/or absence and/or movement of the wheeled conveyance device <NUM> and/or any items <NUM> within the main portion <NUM> and/or sub-compartment <NUM> of each storage compartment <NUM>.

Each storage compartment <NUM>/framework <NUM> may include one or more sensors <NUM> therein or associated therewith, and each sensor <NUM> can take any of a wide variety of forms. In one case, as shown in <FIG>, the sensor <NUM> is a break beam sensor and/or weight sensor positioned at the base or floor <NUM> of the main portion <NUM> of the compartment <NUM> such that when a wheeled conveyance device <NUM> or item <NUM> is positioned in or removed from the storage compartment <NUM>, the break beam <NUM> is broken or completed, triggering the sensor <NUM>. In another case, the sensor <NUM> is a light/dark switch which detects the sufficient presence and/or absence of light. However, each of the sensors <NUM> can take any of a wide variety of forms, including but not limited to pressure or force sensors, weight sensors, optical or line-of-sight sensors, detectors based on mechanical forces, membrane switches/sensors, magnetic switches/sensors, light or electromagnetic radiation (visible, infrared or otherwise) sensors, contact sensors, photoelectric sensors, ultrasonic sensors, piezoelectric sensors, piezoresistive sensors, accelerometers, motion sensors, tilt sensors, proximity sensors, electric field sensors and other sensing devices.

In addition to sensors for confirming presence or absence of items within the compartment <NUM>, the system <NUM> may further include a sensor <NUM> or sensors <NUM> to monitor whether the doors <NUM>, <NUM> are open or closed, and the controller <NUM> may track such activity. The sensor(s) <NUM>, <NUM> may be positioned at any appropriate location within, on, or outside the compartment <NUM>, the doors <NUM>, <NUM>, and the like, as necessary for the particular type of sensor to properly function for its intended purpose. In one embodiment, sensors or tags such as RFID tags are also included on or in the wheeled conveyance device <NUM> and/or any items <NUM> positioned in the storage compartment <NUM> and the sensor <NUM> can take the form of a RFID sensor, providing further tracking capability for items <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> may be operably coupled to the system <NUM>, including the various sensors <NUM>, <NUM> to track ingress or egress of items <NUM> to or from the compartment <NUM>, and/or to selectively lock or unlock the doors <NUM>, <NUM> to control access to the interior of the compartment <NUM> for stocking or retrieval of items <NUM> by authorized individuals. The controller <NUM> may include or be operatively coupled to a user interface or identifying device <NUM> in the form of a keypad, touch screen, keyboard, mouse, track ball, audio input device, barcode scanner, qr code reader, card reader, biometric identifying device, or the like, to identify and/or authenticate users. The controller <NUM> may be operatively connected to a remote system or server <NUM> to provide internet connectivity access, for example to enable communication between web-based order management software systems and locally-based software systems for managing operation access and tracking functionality of the storage system <NUM>. In one case each compartment <NUM> may include its own associated user interface <NUM>. Alternatively, a single user interface <NUM> may be associated with multiple compartments <NUM>, and in one case such compartments <NUM> that are nearby and within a line of sight of a user using the user interface.

Accordingly, the controller <NUM> may be used as an access control system to control and monitor stocking and retrieval of items <NUM> to and from the main portion <NUM> and/or sub-compartment <NUM> of specific storage compartments <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may also be configured to interact with remote systems to communicate stocking and retrieval requirements and permissions as defined by incoming customer orders and preprogrammed software control parameters. In some cases, a separate user interface <NUM> may not be needed and a user can interact with the controller <NUM> remotely such as by using a mobile device, phone, tablet, computer, etc. which can operate as the user interface <NUM>.

The various components of the access and storage system <NUM> may be pre-fabricated and shipped as a completed unit to a site for use/installation, or, alternatively the system <NUM> may be wholly or partially manufactured on site from locally-sourced components. The system <NUM> may be installed and used indoors or outdoors. If installed outdoors, the system <NUM> may include weather-resistant components, and/or may be installed within a weather-resistant enclosure. The system <NUM> may include or be used in conjunction with security devices such as cameras, security systems, monitoring systems, etc. to provide added security or proof of drop off/delivery/pickup, or to track access to the compartment <NUM>. Alternatively, the system <NUM> may be positioned in an area monitored by a pre-existing security system.

Referring now to <FIG>, one embodiment of a workflow of a method for use of the access and storage system <NUM> will be described in the exemplary context of the sale of a lawnmower from a hardware store that is packaged in a large box. Of course, the system <NUM> can be used for delivery/pickup of any of a wide variety of items in a variety of settings. In the illustrative example, the access and storage system <NUM> is positioned at the site of the hardware store, or at an alternate pick-up location such as a warehouse or third party site.

As an initial step of this method, the customer places an order for the lawnmower from the hardware store/vendor, for example through an internet e-commerce website, a mobile phone or tablet application, a phone call, a fax order, or any of a variety of other remote or on-site purchasing channels, indicating the customer's intention and desire to pick up the lawnmower at the site where the access and storage system <NUM> is installed. Payment for the lawnmower/item <NUM> may be made at this time and the customer can request or be informed the order can be picked up via the access and storage system. In some cases the user may be provided with a unique retrieval code at this time. The order can be automatically or manually inputted into an order management system installed in a computer system, or a web-based system, which is operatively connected with compartment management software installed in the controller <NUM> of the access and storage system <NUM>. The order management system software and the compartment management software can, in one embodiment, be installed or accessed through one or more computers or controllers or one or more networks of computers and/or controllers.

After the order is input in the order management system, the order management system can notify store personnel that the order will be delivered/retrieved via the access and storage system <NUM>. The order management system also communicates the order information to the compartment management system. Alternately, store personnel may communicate the order information to the compartment management system as a separate step. The compartment management system creates a stocking code (for use by the store or stocking entity/individual) and a retrieval code (or a supplemental code, for use by the customer/purchaser) for the order, where the stocking code and the retrieval code can be different from each other. The stocking and retrieval codes may each be unique and single use, meaning that subsequent orders will have different codes. For maximum security, the entity/individual who receives the stocking code should not have access to the retrieval code and should not know the identity of the customer. Otherwise, the stocking entity/individual would have means to provide access to the stocked item to an unaffiliated third party, or to include extra items in the compartment <NUM> that the customer is not entitled to receive. One or both of the stocking code or the retrieval code may be a bar code, qr code, or other identifier capable of being entered or scanned into the user interface <NUM>.

The compartment management system then provides the stocking code to a store picker assigned to stock the compartment <NUM> of the access and storage system <NUM> with the lawnmower/item <NUM>. The compartment management system may at this time also inform the store picker of the identity/location of the specific compartment <NUM> to be used. In one embodiment, the compartment management system automatically assigns the compartment <NUM> (and/or main portion <NUM> and/or sub-compartment <NUM> thereof) into which the item <NUM> will be stocked, based on the size and/or shape of the item <NUM> and the available compartments <NUM>, such that items <NUM> can be assigned to size-appropriate compartments <NUM> and/or sub-compartments <NUM>. Alternately, store personnel may manually select the appropriate compartment <NUM> or portion thereof.

A store picker then picks the item <NUM> from its storage location within the store or warehouse location, and can position the item <NUM> on the wheeled conveyance device <NUM>. The store picker then transports the wheeled conveyance device <NUM> with the item <NUM> to the access and storage system <NUM>. The store picker accesses the user interface <NUM> and enters the stocking code provided by the compartment management system. The controller <NUM> then allows or denies access to the applicable compartment <NUM> based on whether the store picker has entered the correct stocking code. If the user interface <NUM> is associated with multiple compartments <NUM>, the identity/location of the specific compartment <NUM> may be provided as an output of the user interface <NUM>.

Upon confirmation of the stocking code by the controller <NUM>, the controller <NUM> unlocks, automatically opens, and/or otherwise provides access to the appropriate door <NUM>, <NUM> (which may be sensed by the door sensor <NUM>) to facilitate stocking of the lawnmower/item <NUM> in the compartment <NUM>. The store picker then wheels the lawnmower/item <NUM> into the storage compartment <NUM>, which can trigger at least one sensor <NUM> to indicate that the item <NUM> is properly positioned within the storage compartment <NUM>. In one embodiment, the store picker leaves the wheeled conveyance device <NUM> in the storage component <NUM> along with the item <NUM> (e.g., lawnmower) positioned thereon. The store picker then closes the door <NUM>, <NUM>, which the controller <NUM> may sense via a sensor <NUM>. In one case the sensor <NUM> can be utilized to ensure one or more qualities of the item <NUM> (i.e., weight, outer dimensions, etc.) match the qualities expected for the item <NUM>, and send a notification if the measured qualities are outside and/or inside range. Once the door <NUM>, <NUM> is closed and optionally after the item <NUM> is confirmed to be within the storage component <NUM> (e.g., via the sensor <NUM>), the stocking code expires and can no longer be used to access the contents of the storage compartment <NUM>. The item <NUM>, positioned on the wheeled convenience device <NUM>, can thus be left in storage compartment <NUM>.

Once the item <NUM> is stocked, the compartment management system can notify the customer that the order is ready for retrieval and send the retrieval code to the customer (if not already sent), for example via email, text message, audio or visual signal, through interaction with a vibrating signal device, or any of a variety of other signaling methods. The compartment management system may additionally notify the customer which compartment <NUM> contains the customer's purchased item.

Upon arrival at the access and storage system <NUM>, the customer inputs the retrieval code (or scans the barcode, etc.) into the user interface <NUM>. In some cases, if the customer has not already paid for the item <NUM>, the customer can pay via the user interface <NUM> such as by credit card, pay pal payment system, or via a user's mobile device, and the retrieval code is then provided. After the customer enters the retrieval code the controller <NUM> then allows or denies access to the applicable compartment <NUM> based on whether the customer has entered the correct retrieval code. If the retrieval code as verified by the controller <NUM>, the controller unlocks and/or automatically opens the appropriate door <NUM>, <NUM> to facilitate removal of the item <NUM> and may identify or provide the location of the appropriate compartment <NUM>. The customer may conveniently use the wheeled conveyance device <NUM> upon which the lawnmower or item <NUM> is already positioned to transport the item <NUM> out of the compartment <NUM>. Opening/closing of the doors <NUM>/<NUM> may be sensed by the sensor <NUM> and removal of the item <NUM> may be sensed by the sensor <NUM>.

After removal of the item <NUM>, the customer shuts the door <NUM>, <NUM> which the controller <NUM> may sense via sensors <NUM> and/or the door <NUM>, <NUM> can be automatically closed. Once the door <NUM>, <NUM> is closed and the item <NUM> is confirmed to have been removed from the storage component <NUM> (e.g., via the sensor <NUM>), the retrieval code expires and can no longer be used to access the contents of the storage component <NUM>. Accordingly, the component <NUM> is again available for use for another order with new stocking and retrieval codes. In some cases the retrieval code can allow the customer access to a limited area (i.e., behind a typically locked door) in which the system <NUM> is located. If the order is not retrieved by the customer within a predetermined period of time (for example within an hour, or within a day or within three days) the compartment management system/controller <NUM> may send a reminder to the customer,.

Referring now to <FIG>, another embodiment of a workflow method for use of the access and storage system <NUM> will be described, again in the exemplary context of the sale of a lawnmower from a hardware store that is packaged in a relatively large box. In this case, a customer can place a purchase order for the lawnmower/item <NUM>, for example through an order management system, as before. The order is communicated to a known store personnel such as a store picker, along with the customer's order number.

The store picker picks the item <NUM> from its storage location within the store, and can position the item <NUM> on the wheeled conveyance device <NUM>. The store picker can then transport the item <NUM> with the wheeled conveyance device <NUM> to the access and storage system <NUM>. The store picker accesses the user interface <NUM> and enters the order number via keypad, bar code, qr code, or other suitable entry method. The store picker can also select a suitable compartment size (e.g., full storage compartment <NUM>, main part <NUM>, or sub-compartment <NUM>). The compartment management system can then assign the order to a specific compartment <NUM> (or portion thereof). The controller <NUM> unlocks, automatically opens, and/or otherwise provides access via the appropriate door <NUM>, <NUM> to the assigned compartment <NUM> to facilitate stocking of the item <NUM>. The store picker then transports the item <NUM> into the storage compartment <NUM>, which can trigger at least one sensor <NUM> to indicate that the item <NUM> is positioned within the storage compartment <NUM>. The store picker then closes the door <NUM>, <NUM>, which the controller <NUM> may sense via sensors <NUM>.

Once the lawnmower or other item <NUM> is stocked, or at the same time that access is granted to the picker, the compartment management system generates a retrieval code and provides it to the order management system that the customer used to place the order, matched with the order number. The order management system then communicates the retrieval code to the customer to indicate that the item <NUM> is ready for pick up, in essentially the same manner earlier discussed with respect to the embodiment of <FIG>.

The access and storage system <NUM> thus facilitates efficient self-service customer retrieval of items, such as remotely-sold items, including relatively large items and groups of products that require wheeled transports to effectively or efficiently transport the items. A seller can remotely accept a plurality of orders and/or payment for such orders from a plurality of customers, and then prepare each order for customer pickup in a secure manner without the need for interpersonal interaction with the customer to locate and retrieve each customer's particular order upon the customer's arrival at a store location. The system <NUM> thus both organizes and segregates each order into a storage compartment <NUM>, and also provides security to ensure that customers only retrieve the order(s) for which they have paid, because each storage compartment <NUM> requires a different and unique retrieval code for access. This system and method saves time and improves efficiency for the remote customer, who can, in some embodiments, self-retrieve purchased products upon arrival at the sale site, as well as for store personnel who can pick products into a wheeled device <NUM> and directly position the wheeled device into the compartment <NUM> without the need to unload the product.

The disclosed system <NUM> allows customer orders to be picked by the seller, positioned on a cart or other wheeled device <NUM> containing the entire order, and then rolled directly into a secure compartment <NUM> for retrieval by the customer. The seller does not need to remove the items from the cart <NUM> prior to retrieval by the customer and the customer can directly roll the cart to their vehicle for loading, which improves efficiency. A seller can also pick up an order outside of the store's normal business hours.

The disclosed system <NUM> also provides a method of tracking the status of items in a compartment <NUM> with sensors <NUM> that monitor contents of the compartment <NUM>. The system <NUM> may not rely entirely on monitoring whether a compartment door <NUM>, <NUM> has been opened or closed to infer contents of the compartment <NUM> and can track storage and removal accordingly. Thus, the disclosed system <NUM> provides enhanced confirmation capabilities to confirm actual placement and/or retrieval of items from the compartment <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An access and storage system comprising:
a generally enclosed storage compartment (<NUM>) configured to be positioned on a ground surface such that a wheeled conveyance device (<NUM>) carrying an item (<NUM>) to be transferred is rollable directly into said storage compartment (<NUM>);
a sensor system configured to track at least one of a placement, removal, presence or absence of said item (<NUM>) or said wheeled conveyance device (<NUM>) relative to said storage compartment (<NUM>); and
an access control system configured to control access to said storage compartment (<NUM>), wherein said storage compartment (<NUM>) is sized and configured such that a person can entirely enter said compartment (<NUM>) to place said wheeled conveyance device (<NUM>) and said item (<NUM>) into said storage compartment (<NUM>);
characterized in that:
said storage compartment (<NUM>) comprises a collapsible storage shelf (<NUM>) coupled to a an upper portion of said storage compartment (<NUM>), wherein said collapsible shelf (<NUM>), when collapsed, is positioned immediately adjacent to said ceiling (<NUM>) of said storage compartment (<NUM>), and when expanded defines a sub-compartment (<NUM>) within said storage compartment (<NUM>), said sub-compartment (<NUM>) being positioned at the top of the storage compartment (<NUM>);
and in that said storage compartment (<NUM>) further includes a sub-compartment front door (<NUM>) configured to provide access to said sub-compartment (<NUM>) when said collapsible shelf (<NUM>) is expanded and a main front door (<NUM>) configured to control access to the remainder of said storage compartment (<NUM>) when said collapsible shelf (<NUM>) is expanded.