Methods and utilities for consumer interaction with a self service system

Abstract

A method of interacting with an automatic retail device, including receiving user identification information at the automatic retail device and receiving confirmation of the identity of the user from a source external to the automatic retail device. The method further includes determining the contents of the automatic retail device at a first time, determining the contents of the automatic retail device at a second time, transmitting data regarding the determined contents of the automatic retail device to a server at both the first and second times, and prompting the user to respond to an inquiry

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method of interacting with an automatic retail device, the method comprising:
 receiving user identification information at a controller of the automatic retail device;   transmitting by the controller the received user identification to a server;   receiving confirmation of an identity of the user at the controller from the server;   storing in a memory associated with the automatic retail device a planogram detailing a location of the items stored in each of a plurality of bins within the automatic retail device and a per item weight of each item stored in the automatic retail device;   unlocking a door of the automatic retail device upon receipt of the confirmation of the identity of the user from the server;   determining, by the controller, a weight of each of the plurality of bins within the automatic retail device, and with the assistance the planogram the contents of each of the plurality of bins of the automatic retail device after receiving the user identification and prior to unlocking the door of the automatic retail device;   automatically locking the door of the automatic retail device upon closure of the door;   determining, by the controller, the weight of each of the plurality of bins within the automatic retail device, and with the assistance of the planogram the contents of each of the plurality of bins of the automatic retail device after locking the door of the automatic retail device;   determining, by the controller with the assistance of the planogram and the determined weight of each of the plurality of bins before unlocking the door and after automatically locking the door, which items and how many were removed from the bins by the user wherein a difference in weight and the location of the differences in weight indicate which items were removed from the automatic retail device; and   transmitting to the server, by the controller, the determined items and how many were removed from the plurality of bins by the user, wherein the server utilizes the determined items and how many were removed from the automatic retail device to resolve payment for the items and to post the items to a user account.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising prompting the user to respond to an inquiry. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the prompt is from an artificial intelligence (AI) associated with the automatic retail device. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , comprising converting a user's response to a text file and transmitting the response to the server for resolution. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising receiving a response from the server and converting the response to an audible signal for delivery to the user. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the response includes an incentive for the user to engage in a specified activity. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the response includes instructions for the automatic retail device to illuminate one or more bins to alert the user to a location of an item therein. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the response identifies a location of a product at a second automatic retail device. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the response identifies a location of a product at an order fulfillment service and asks if the user would like to place an order for the product. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the response is associated with a media presentation that is presented to the user on a display. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the media presentation assists in responding to the inquiry from the user. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the identity of the products in the automatic retail device is stored on the server and used to resolve payment from the user. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein, upon receiving confirmation of the identity of the user, an artificial intelligence (AI) greets the user by name. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the greeting includes the prompt which requests the user identify desired products audibly. 
     
     
         30 . A method of interacting with an automatic retail device, the method comprising:
 receiving user identification information at a controller of the automatic retail device;   transmitting by the controller the received user identification to a server;   receiving confirmation of an identity of the user at the controller from the server;
 prompting from an artificial intelligence (AI) associated with the automatic retail device the user to respond to an inquiry, wherein the user's audible response to the prompt is converted to a text file and transmitted to the server for resolution; 
 receiving a response from the server and converting the response to an audible signal for delivery to the user, wherein the response includes one or more of an incentive, a recommendation for a product, a request to download an application for a third party service or product, or a survey; 
 storing in a memory associated with the automatic retail device a planogram detailing a location of the items stored in each of a plurality of bins within the automatic retail device and a per item weight of each item stored in the automatic retail device; 
 unlocking a door of the automatic retail device upon receipt of the confirmation of the identity of the user from the server; 
 determining, by the controller, a weight of each of the plurality of bins within the automatic retail device, and with the assistance the planogram the contents of each of the plurality of bins of the automatic retail device after receiving the user identification and prior to unlocking the door of the automatic retail device; 
 automatically locking the door of the automatic retail device upon closure of the door; 
 determining, by the controller, the weight of each of the plurality of bins within the automatic retail device, and with the assistance of the planogram the contents of each of the plurality of bins of the automatic retail device after locking the door of the automatic retail device; 
 determining, by the controller with the assistance of the planogram and the determined weight of each of the plurality of bins before unlocking the door and after automatically locking the door, which items and how many were removed from the bins by the user wherein a difference in weight and the location of the differences in weight indicate which items were removed from the automatic retail device; and 
 transmitting to the server, by the controller, the determined items and how many were removed from the plurality of bins by the user, wherein the server utilizes the determined items and how many were removed from the automatic retail device to resolve payment for the items and to post the items to a user account. 
   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the response further includes instructions for the automatic retail device to illuminate one or more bins to alert the user to a location of an item therein. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the response further identifies a location of a product at a second automatic retail device. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the response further identifies a location of a product at an order fulfillment service and asks if the user would like to place an order for the product. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the response is associated with a media presentation that is presented to the user on a display.