Patent ID: 8260454

Claim:
An automated storage system comprising: a) a plurality of storage locations; b) at least one access location; c) at least one storage container provided on at least one storage location; d) a control system and at least one user interface, the control system further comprising a retrieval mode and a storage mode; e) a delivery system for delivering the at least one storage container from a first storage location to the at least one access location during the retrieval mode, and for returning the at least one storage container from the at least one access location to a second storage location during the storage mode, wherein the first and second storage locations are different, and wherein the second storage location is not predetermined and is selected when returning the at least one storage container from the at least one access location; f) wherein user instructions at the control interface initiates the retrieval mode and the storage mode; and g) wherein user access is provided to the at least one storage container while the at least one storage container is at the at least one access location.