Check-in systems and methods for an automated tower that stores and dispenses customer orders

Abstract

A check-in system for an automated tower includes a computing device having an application installed thereon. The computing device is configured to check in a customer to notify the automated tower of a time range during which an order of the customer is picked up. The automated tower is configured to: receive a check-in message from the computing device; receive the location of the computing device; receive a message indicative of the arrival of the customer at the automated tower; retrieve information of the order from an order database stored on a remote server; assemble the order based on the check-in message and the information of the order; and move the assembled order close to a pick-up location of the automated tower to facilitate pick-up of the assembled order.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A check-in system for an automated tower for dispensing a customer's order, comprising:
 a computing device having an application installed thereon and configured to:
 check in, via the application, a customer with the automated tower to notify the automated tower of a time range during which an order of the customer is to be picked up; 
 communicate, via the application, a location of the computing device to the automated tower; and 
 inform, via the application, the automated tower when the customer arrives at the automated tower, 
   the automated tower including a central computer in communication with the computing device, the automated tower is configured to:
 receive, via the central computer, a check-in message of the customer from the computing device; 
 receive, via the central computer, the location of the computing device; 
 receive, via the central computer, a message indicative of the arrival of the customer at the automated tower, from the computing device; 
 retrieve, via the central computer, information of the order from an order database stored on a server; 
 assemble the order based on the check-in message and the information of the order; and 
 move the assembled order to a pick-up location of the automated tower to facilitate pick-up of the assembled order, 
   the server in communication with the central computer and configured to:
 store the information of the order in the order database; and 
 send the information of the order to the central computer. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the automated tower is deployed inside or outside a retail store. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the automated tower comprises an ambient temperature section, a cool temperature section, and a frozen temperature section. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the order of the customer comprises one or more items from the ambient temperature section, the cool temperature section, and/or the frozen temperature section. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the computing device is further configured to:
 determining a change in temperature formula for hot or cold items in the order;   determining a pick-up temperature range for the hot or cold items;   determining a time when the hot or cold items remain in the pick-up temperature range; and   assembling the hot or cold items at the time.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the information of the order comprises information regarding locations of the order in the automated tower. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the automated tower is further configured to assemble the order based on the information regarding the locations of the order. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the automated tower is further configured to assemble the order when the location of the computer device is within a predetermined distance from the automated tower. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the automated tower is further configured to assemble the order when the message indicative of the arrival of the customer at the automated tower is received. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the automated tower is further configured to pre-generate, via the central computer, a generic check-in time for picking up the order, based on a plurality of factors, when the order is received by the automated tower. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of factors includes a starting location of the customer, traffic conditions of routes that the customer takes for picking up the order, or a history of order placement-to-pickup time of the customer. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the automated tower is further configured to assemble the order in accordance with the general check-in time when the general check-in time does not interfere with confirmed check ins from other customers. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein a check-in time in the time range notified by the computing device overrides the general check-in time. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the automated tower is further configured to move the assembled order closer to the pick-up location when there is adequate space in the pick-up location and the assembled order does not occupy a necessary space from an order that has been confirmed as checked in. 
     
     
         15 . A method of checking-in with an automated tower for dispensing a customer's order, comprising:
 receiving a check-in message indicative of a time range during which an order of a customer is to be picked up;   retrieving information of the order from an order database stored on a server;   assembling the order based on the check-in message and the information of the order; and   moving the assembled order to a pick-up location of the automated tower to facilitate pick-up of the assembled order.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 receiving a location of the customer; and   assembling the order when the location of customer is within a predetermined distance from the automated tower.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 receiving a message indicative of arrival of the customer at the automated tower;   assembling the order when the message indicative of the arrival of the customer at the automated tower is received.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising pre-generating a generic check-in time for picking up the order, based on a plurality of factors, when the order is received by the automated tower. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of factors includes a starting location of the customer, traffic conditions of routes that the customer takes for picking up the order, or a history of order placement-to-pickup time of the customer. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising assembling the order in accordance with the general check-in time when the general check-in time does not interfere with confirmed check ins from other customers.