Direct Access Dispensing Method

Abstract

A method for operating an access and storage system including providing a storage component storing items therein or thereon, each item being stored in an associated storage position. The storage component provides a user direct manual access to at least some of the items in their storage positions. The storage component includes a sensor system configured to operate independently of any sensor component secured to the items. The method further includes tracking, via the sensor system, at least one of a user's removal of items from the associated storage position or replacement of items to the associated storage position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for operating an access and storage system comprising:
 providing a storage component storing items therein or thereon, each item being stored in an associated storage position, wherein said storage component provides a user direct manual access to at least some of said items in their storage positions, wherein the storage component includes a sensor system configured to operate independently of any sensor component secured to the items; and   tracking, via the sensor system, at least one of a user's removal of items from the associated storage position or the user's replacement of items to the associated storage position.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of said user directly manually accessing at least one of said items in said storage position, and tracking, via the sensor system, such direct manual access. 
     
     
         3 . The method  claim 1  further comprising identifying said user and identifying which of said items a particular identified user is authorized to access. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising providing the identified user direct manual access only to those items the user is authorized to access. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said storage component includes at least one secure storage area which is not directly manually accessible to a user who does not have authority to access said at least one secure storage area, and wherein the secure storage area defines an inner volume, and wherein the secure storage area is movable between a closed state in which a user is generally prevented from accessing any items in said inner volume and an open state in which a user is able to directly manually access to items in said inner volume, and wherein the secure storage area is locked in said closed state until a user that is authorized to access an item in said secure storage area is identified, at which time said secure storage area is unlocked to enable said secure storage area to move to said open state. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said user is identified by an identification token carried by said user, or by biometric information, or by information provided by said user. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising tracking, via a controller operatively coupled to said sensor system, levels of inventory of said items in said system. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein each item resides in its associated storage position relative to a frame of said storage component until such time that said user directly manually accesses said accessed item in its storage position. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising identifying a user, wherein the system is configured such each item accessed by a user does not change position from a time said user is identified until a time said user directly manually accesses said particular item. 
     
     
         10 . The method 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 storage position. 
     
     
         11 . The method 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. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the storage component is positioned in a secured area, and wherein a user is provided direct manual access to said storage component only after said user is identified. 
     
     
         13 . The method  claim 1  wherein said storage component is positioned in a manually carryable tray, along with a plurality of other storage components. 
     
     
         14 . The method 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. 
     
     
         15 . The method 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. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said sensor system tracks, for each dispenser, at least one of said user's removal of items or said user's return of items. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said storage component is positioned within a secure walk-in area, and wherein the system prevents unauthorized users from entering the secure walk-in area. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  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 tracks, for each dispenser, at least one of said user's removal of items or said user's return of items. 
     
     
         19 . The method 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 via said aperture at a time. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said sensor system includes a distance-based sensor, or a presence sensor which can detect the presence or absence of said item at said storage position, or a weight sensor configured to detect the weight of said item at said storage position.