Direct Access Dispensing System

Abstract

An access and storage system including a storage component configured to store an item therein or thereon in an associated storage position, wherein the storage component is configured to provide a user direct manual access to the item in the storage position. The system further includes a sensor system configured to track at least one of a user's removal of the item from the associated storage position or replacement of the item to the associated storage position. The sensor system operates independently of any sensor component secured to the item.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An access and storage system comprising:
 a storage component configured to store an item therein or thereon in an associated storage position, wherein said storage component is configured to provide a user direct manual access to said item in said storage position; and   a sensor system configured to track at least one of a user's removal of said item from the associated storage position or replacement of said item to the associated storage position, wherein said sensor system operates independently of any sensor component secured to said item.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said sensor system does not directly measure any movement of said item, and instead deductively determines the removal or replacement of said item from or to its associated storage position. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said sensor system includes a plurality of sensors configured to track said user's accessing of or replacement of said item. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said storage component takes the form of a dispenser configured to dispense a plurality of items of only a single type, and wherein said sensor system is configured to track removal of any items from said dispenser. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the system further comprises an identification system for identifying a user, and wherein the dispenser is positioned in a secured area, and wherein the system is configured to provide a user direct manual access to said dispenser only after said user is identified by said identification system. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said storage component is positioned in a manually carryable tray, along with a plurality of other storage components. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said storage component takes the form of manually carryable tray, said tray storing or receiving a plurality of dispensers therein, each dispenser storing a plurality of items therein in their storage positions for removal therefrom by a user. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said storage component takes the form of a storage cabinet, said storage cabinet defining a plurality of secure storage areas which can be manually accessed, each secure storage area having a dispenser positioned therein, each dispenser storing a plurality of items therein for removal therefrom by a user. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein said sensor system is configured to track, for each dispenser, at least one of said user's removal of items or said user's return of items. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said storage component is positioned within a secure walk-in area, and wherein the system is configured to prevent unauthorized users from entering the secure walk-in area. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein said storage component includes a plurality a shelves, each shelf having a dispenser positioned thereon, each dispenser storing a plurality of items therein for removal therefrom by a user, wherein said sensor system is configured to track, for each dispenser, at least one of said user's removal of items or said user's return of items. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said storage component includes at least one wall and a door through which a user can pass, said wall defining a secure walk-in area into which a user can enter, wherein a plurality of dispensers are positioned in said secure walk-in area, each dispenser storing a plurality of items therein for removal therefrom by a user, wherein said sensor system is configured to track, for each dispenser, at least one of said user's removal of items or said user's return of items. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising an identification system for identifying a user, and wherein said storage component is positioned within a walk-in area, and wherein the identification system is configured to identify a user who enters the walk-in area. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said sensor system include motion tracking sensors configured to track said user's motions when accessing said item. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said storage component includes an outer casing with an aperture, said storage component receiving a plurality of items therein, and wherein said aperture is configured such that items can be removed from said storage component therethrough, and wherein said aperture is sized such that only one item can be removed from said storage component via said aperture at a time, and wherein said sensor system is configured to track the dispensing of each item through said aperture. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said storage component includes a first part and a second part movable relative to said first part, and wherein said sensor system includes a distance-based sensor which can determine the distance of said second part relative to said first part, and wherein said sensor system is configured to detect a change in distance between said second part and said first part so that said user's removal of said item from the associated storage position or replacement of said item to the associated storage position can be determined. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16  wherein said sensor system is configured to determine the number of units of said item that have been removed from or returned to said storage component based upon said difference in distance. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said sensor system includes a presence sensor which can detect the presence or absence of said item at said storage position, and wherein said item is directly manually removable from or placeable into said storage position. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said sensor system includes a weight sensor configured to detect the weight of said item at said storage position, and wherein said sensor system is configured to determine a difference in weight so that a user's removal of said item from the associated storage position or replacement of said item to the associated storage position can be determined, and wherein said sensor system is configured to determine the number of units of said item that have been removed or returned based upon said difference in weight. 
     
     
         20 . An access and storage system for use with a plurality of items comprising:
 a plurality of sensors configured to track a user's accessing of each of a plurality of items; and   a storage component storing each of said plurality of items therein or thereon in an associated storage position, wherein said storage component is configured to provide said user direct manual access to said items in said storage positions, which direct manual access is trackable by said sensor system.