Patent ID: 6874684

Claim:
An automated will call system comprising: a) an input source for providing identification information; b) a controller for management of storage and removal of items within the automated will call system, the controller receiving identification information from the input source and in response thereto generating a signal representative of a location of an associated item for tracking said item within the will call system; c) a plurality of cabinets for the storage of items, each cabinet comprising an interface with the controller, a plurality of storage locations, and at least one interface button; d) at least one article sensor for each cabinet comprising a light source and a photo-detector, the light source emitting diffused light throughout an interior of at least one storage location and the photo-detector detecting the presence of the diffused light, each article sensor being in communication with the controller for monitoring the diffused light and providing absolute confirmation of insertion of an item into or removal of an item from a storage location in response to diffused light detected by the photo-detector; and e) a user work station comprising an interface with the controller.