Automated store technologies

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods provide an automated store with a number of product locations and a fetch and delivery bucket that conveys product from a shelf location to a delivery location. Cameras and sensors within the automated store acquire data that may be stored in a remote database and analyzed to improve the reliability of the delivery process. Camera images may also be used to re-position the fetch and delivery bucket in real time, to provide images of actual, available product to consumers via a remote interface, to determine inventory, and to monitor the activities of replenishers and service personnel, and to generally operate the automated store remotely.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An automated store, comprising:
 a processor; and   a memory coupled to the processor and storing instructions that, when executed by the processor perform operations, comprising:
 controlling movement of platform between a first platform position adjacent to a product location and a second platform position adjacent to a dispensing area; 
 causing movement of a security door from a first position, in which access to the platform is hindered, to a second position in which access to the platform is not hindered; and 
 causing an image sensor to capture an image that includes at least part of the platform and at least part of a product location. 
   
     
     
         22 . The automated store of  claim 21 , further comprising instructions for moving a flap associated with the platform from a first flap position to a second flap position. 
     
     
         23 . The automated store of  claim 22 , wherein the second flap position causes the flap to be inclined such that the flap slants downward in a direction toward the dispensing area. 
     
     
         24 . The automated store of  claim 21 , further comprising instructions for causing a display of a user interface on a display of the automated store. 
     
     
         25 . The automated store of claim  1 , further comprising instructions for receiving sensor information that identifies an item in the dispensing area. 
     
     
         26 . The automated store of  claim 21 , further comprising instructions for receiving sensor information that identifies an item associated with the product location. 
     
     
         27 . The automated store of  claim 21 , further comprising instructions for receiving sensor information that identifies a current position of the platform as the platform moves between the first platform position and the second platform position. 
     
     
         28 . A method, comprising:
 causing movement of a platform within an automated store between a first platform position and a second platform position, the first platform position being adjacent to a product location and the second platform position being adjacent to a dispensing area;   causing movement of a security door from a first door position to a second door position to provide access to the platform via the dispensing area; and   causing an image capture device coupled to the platform to capture an image that includes at least part of the platform and at least part of the product location when the platform is at the first platform position.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising analyzing the image to determine a position of the platform with respect to the product location. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising adjusting a position of the platform based, at least in part, on the determined position of the platform with respect to the product location. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising storing the adjusted position of the platform. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising using the adjusted position of the platform as the first platform position. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the image includes information about an item located at the product location. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , further comprising analyzing the image to identify the item. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising causing the image capture device to capture another image that includes at least part of the platform and at least part of the dispensing area when the platform is at the second platform position. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , further comprising analyzing the another image to determine a position of the platform with respect to the dispensing area. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising adjusting a position of the platform based, at least in part, on the determined position of the platform with respect to the dispensing area. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , further comprising storing the adjusted position of the platform. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , further comprising using the adjusted position of the platform as the second platform position. 
     
     
         40 . An automated store, comprising:
 a product location;   a platform movable between a first platform position associated with the product location and a second platform position adjacent to a dispensing area.   a security door having a first door position that hinders access to the platform when the platform is not at the second position and allows access to the platform when the platform is at the second position; and   an image capture device for capturing an image that includes at least part of the platform and at least part of the product location when the platform is at the first platform position.