GENERIC MOBILE OBJECTS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to inventory management systems and methods for controlled dispensing and collecting of generic mobile objects.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Managing unidentifiable mobile objects, such as shopping carts, having no individual identity means attached thereto or integrated therein, is a known problem.

The term "generic" as used herein with conjunction with an object, refers to an object having no individual identity, tracking device or identification means. If the does have an individual identity, then that individual identity is not being used. In some prior art attempts to resolve the costly problem, individual identification means are coupled with each mobile object which is later being coupled with an individual user. However, these attempts have proven to be impractical, being either complex or expensive or both.

There is therefore a need and it would be advantageous to have a system and methods for managing the inventory of generic mobile objects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The principle intentions of the present invention include providing a system and methods for dispensing and collecting generic movable objects. According to the teachings of the present invention, there is provided a system for dispensing and collecting mobile objects for temporary use by a user. The system includes at least one control unit having at least one identification-related-data- collecting unit, a verification unit, and at least one lock-mechanism unit. Preferably, the lock-mechanism unit is controllably operated by the control unit, to thereby facilitate the releasing or collecting of at least one mobile object. The at least one identification-related-data-collecting unit facilitates the collection of input identification related data associated with the user, the identification related data including an identifier of the user. The identification related data may be extracted from identification means selected from the group including direct user input such as a name and/or password, identification documents, identification devices, and unique personal physical identification features. For example, an identification card, a credit card, a membership card, an RFID key, a RF device, a barcode, a physical key, one or more unique personal physical identification features such as biometric features and/or any other commonly used identification means.

The control unit is in communication flow with the verification unit to thereby provide the identification related data to the verification unit, wherein the verification unit transmits permissive data associated with the user and based on the identification related data. The control unit activates the lock-mechanism unit, based on the permissive data, to thereby enable the dispensing or collecting of at least one mobile object.

Upon receiving the permissive data by the control unit, wherein the permissive data allows a user to obtain at least one mobile object, the control unit unlocks a lock- mechanism unit to thereby enable a user to take a mobile object.

Upon receiving the permissive data by the control unit, wherein the permissive data allows a user to return at least one mobile object, the control unit unlocks the at least one lock-mechanism unit to thereby enable a user to return a mobile object.

Optionally, the control unit and the verification unit are embodied as a single physical unit. For example, the verification unit may be a component that is integrated in the control unit.

Optionally, the verification unit is a remote unit, such as a server of a third party.

Optionally, the mobile objects are carts.

Preferably, the control unit is adapted to dispense or collect is single mobile object at a time.

Optionally, the lock-mechanism unit includes three operating states: a) a mobile-object-release-state, wherein the mobile-object-release-state facilitates the dispensing of a mobile-object;

b) a mobile-object-receive-state, wherein the mobile-object-receive-state facilitates the collecting of a mobile-object; and

c) a locked-state, wherein in the locked-state, the lock-mechanism unit disables both the dispensing and the receiving of a mobile-object.

It should be noted that when the lock-mechanism is in mobile-object-release- state the collection of mobile devices is prevented by the lock-mechanism unit. Similarly, when the lock-mechanism is in mobile-object-receive-state the dispensing of mobile devices is prevented by the lock-mechanism unit.

It should be noted that when the lock-mechanism prevents the dispensing of mobile devices, the whole stack of mobile devices is locked by a single lock- mechanism unit. That is, the locking of the stack of mobile devices is not done on an individual basis. Optionally, the default idle state of the system is the locked-state.

Optionally, the lock-mechanism unit is either in a mobile-object-release-state or in a mobile-object-receive-state, wherein either the dispensing or the returning of a mobile-object requires applying a minimal manual force provided by the user.

Optionally, the lock-mechanism unit is either in a mobile-object-release-state or in a mobile-object-receive-state, wherein either the dispensing or the returning of a mobile-object requires applying a minimal manual force by a motor, such as an electric motor.

Optionally, the lock-mechanism unit further includes a free-state, wherein in the free-state both the dispensing and the receiving of a mobile-object are enabled simultaneously.

Preferably, during maintenance or malfunctioning of the system, the default idle state of the lock-mechanism is set to the free-state.

According to further teachings of the present invention, there is provided a method for dispensing and collecting mobile objects for temporary use by users. The method includes the steps of: a) restricting a mobile object movement within a predefined zone using at least one lock-mechanism unit, wherein the restricting is controlled by a control unit, having at least one identification-collecting unit with at least one input device, and wherein the control unit is in communication flow with a verification unit;

b) receiving identification information from at least one user using the at least one identification-related-data-collecting unit, wherein the identification related data includes an identifier of the user to thereby uniquely identify the user;

c) transmitting identification related data to the verification unit by the control unit;

d) transmitting permissive data associated with the user form the verification unit to the control unit;

e) activating the at least one lock-mechanism unit to thereby facilitate the dispensing or collecting of the preconfigured number of mobile-objects, in accordance with the permissive data; and

f) updating the verification unit by the control unit upon completion of either the dispensing or collection of a mobile-object.

Optionally, the permissive data contains a refusal to either dispense or return a mobile object.

Optionally, the permissive data is a permission to dispense a mobile object. Optionally, the permissive data is a request to return a mobile object.

Optionally, the mobile objects are carts. Optionally, the mobile objects are motorized vehicles.

Optionally, a user is identified using identification means selected from the group including a user direct input, identification documents, identification enabling devices, and unique personal physical identification features.

Optionally, a user is identified using direct user input, either at the control unit or directly communication with the third party verification unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration and example only and thus not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a general schematic block diagram illustration of mobile-objects-inventory- control system for dispensing and collecting unidentifiable mobile objects, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic flowchart diagram of a method for controlling dispensing and collecting of unidentifiable mobile objects, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided, so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

An embodiment is an example or implementation of the inventions. The various appearances of "one embodiment," "an embodiment" or "some embodiments" do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiments. Although various features of the invention may be described in the context of a single embodiment, the features may also be provided separately or in any suitable combination. Conversely, although the invention may be described herein in the context of separate embodiments for clarity, the invention may also be implemented in a single embodiment.

Reference in the specification to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", "some embodiments" or "other embodiments" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least one embodiment, but not necessarily all embodiments, of the inventions. It is understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is not to be construed as limiting and are for descriptive purpose only.

Methods of the present invention may be implemented by performing or completing manually, automatically, or a combination thereof, selected steps or tasks. The order of performing some methods step may vary. The descriptions, examples, methods and materials presented in the claims and the specification are not to be construed as limiting but rather as illustrative only.

Meanings of technical and scientific terms used herein are to be commonly understood, unless otherwise defined. The present invention can be implemented for testing or practice with methods and materials equivalent or similar to those described herein.

Reference is now made to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a general schematic block diagram illustration of a mobile-objects-inventory-control system 100 for controlled dispensing and collecting of generic mobile objects, according to some embodiments of the present invention. Mobile-objects-inventory-control system 100 includes at least one control unit 110, wherein each control unit 110 controls at least one lock- mechanism unit 120 and wherein each control unit 110 includes a control panel 130, having an identification-related-data-collecting unit 132 and optionally, a display 134. Mobile-objects-inventory-control system 100 further includes a verification unit 150 for verifying obtained user's identification related data and thereby, either approve the releasing or receiving of a mobile object or refuse to serve that user.

Mobile-objects-inventory-control system 100 is designed to be used by a random user 20i that can be verified by control unit 110 via identification-realated data collecting unit 132. Control unit 110 is operatively connected to verification unit 150 that verifies identification related data provided by the user, and transmits back to control unit 110 either an approval to dispense/receive a mobile object or a refusal to serve that user. Typically, verification unit 150 is a computerized repository that serves the entity that possesses the generic mobile objects and has access to data related to users, including identification related data associated with the users.

For the sake of clarity, a verification unit as used herein refers to a unit that verifies the credibility of a user to use the system of the present invention. The verification the credibility of a user to use the system of the present invention can be performed in a variety of ways. The verification unit may be embodied, with no limitations, as remote computerized device adapted to identify the user using received identification related data collected via identification-related-data-collecting unit 132. The identification related data may be collected from an identification card, a credit card, a membership card, an RFID key, a RF device, a barcode, a physical key, a virtual key one or more unique personal physical identification features such as biometric features and/or any other commonly used identification means. In some embodiments, verification unit 150 is embodied as an integral part of control unit 110.

It should be noted that each control unit 110 may include a number of identification panels 130 that may be used simultaneously by a respective number of users 20.

Lock-mechanism unit 120 may be set to three main operational states, the first state being to idle state. Typically, in the operational idle state of mobile-objects- inventory-control system 100 is a locked-state, in which lock-state lock-mechanism unit 120 disables both the dispensing and the receiving of a mobile-object. In a mobile-object-release-state, lock-mechanism unit 120i is configured to allow the release of a mobile object. In a mobile-object-receive-state, lock-mechanism unit 120i is configured to allow the return of a mobile object.

Preferably, lock-mechanism unit 120 may be set to a fourth state, the free- state. In the free-state both the dispensing and the receiving of a mobile-object are enabled simultaneously. The free-state may be useful in non-operation situations such as during maintenance or malfunctioning of mobile-objects-inventory-control system 100, the default idle state of lock-mechanism 120 is set to the free-state.

Reference is now made to Fig. 2, showing a schematic flowchart diagram of a method 200 for dispensing and/or collecting at least one mobile object, according to embodiments of the present invention, wherein the at least one mobile object has no unique identification means or a tracking device attached thereto or integrated therein. Typically, in the operational idle state 201 of mobile-objects-inventory-control system 100 is a locked-state, in which lock-state lock-mechanism unit 120 disables both the dispensing and the receiving of a mobile-object. Method 200 includes the following steps:

Step 210: Obtaining user identification related data.

User 20i approaches control unit 110 in order to either obtain at least one mobile object or return at least one mobile object. User 20i is required to provide identification related data via a variety of identification means provided by identification-related-data-collecting unit 132 of control unit 110.

The identification means includes, with no limitations, a user direct input, identification documents such as identification cards, credit cards, membership cards and identification devices such as Bluetooth devices, RFID devices and other RF devices, barcodes, keys, unique personal physical identification features such as biometric features and/or any other commonly used identification means.

Step 220: transmitting identification related data to a verification unit.

Identification-related-data-collecting unit 132 reads the identification means provided by user 20i and control unit 110 sends the identification related data to verification unit 150.

Step 235: checking what is the next activity allowed for that user.

Upon positively verifying identification related data provided by user 20i, verification unit 150 determines if user 20i is allowed to use the system and if so, verification unit 150 further determines if user 20i should return a lent mobile object or if user 20i should be allowed to lend a mobile object. Verification unit 150 then transmits the determined response to control unit 110. Typically, verification unit 150 is a computerized repository of a third party that serves the entity that possesses the generic mobile objects and has access to data related to users, including identification related data associated with the users.

If the determined response is a refusal, go to Step 299 and exit. Thereby, the operational idle state 201 is maintained.

If the determined response is to allow the receiving of a mobile object, go to Step 250.

Step 240: activating the lock-mechanism unit to allow the release of a mobile object.

The determined response obtained by control unit 110 from verification unit 150 is that user 20i is allowed to receive a mobile-object.

Control unit 110 activates a respective lock-mechanism unit 120i to allow the release of a mobile object, that is, lock-mechanism unit 120i is set to be in a mobile-object-release-state.

Step 245: checking if the released mobile object was taken. Typically, user 20i is given a preconfigured time interval to take a mobile object. Typically, to take the available mobile object, force is applied onto lock-mechanism unit 120. Optionally, the force is added by a motor, such as an electric motor, instead of or in addition to user 20i. The available mobile object is dispensed, and preferably, lock-mechanism unit 120 moves back to the idle state being the locked-state.

If no mobile objects were taken within the preconfigured time interval, go to Step 299

Go to step 260.

Step 250: activating the lock-mechanism unit to allow a controlled return of a mobile object.

The determined response obtained by control unit 110 from verification unit 150 is that user 20i is allowed to return a mobile object.

Control unit 110 activates a respective lock-mechanism unit 120i to allow a receiving of a mobile object, that is, lock-mechanism unit 120i is set to be in a mobile-obj ect-receive-state.

Step 255: checking if a mobile object was received.

Typically, user 20i is given a preconfigured time interval to return a mobile object. Typically, to return a mobile object, force is applied onto lock- mechanism unit 120. Optionally, the force is applied by a motor, such as an electric motor, instead of or in addition to user 20i. The mobile object is typically pushed in, and preferably, lock-mechanism unit 120 moves back to the idle state being the locked-state.

If no mobile objects were returned within the preconfigured time interval, go to Step 299.

Step 260: reporting to the verification unit.

Upon successful completion of a dispensing/receiving of a mobile object by user 20i, the successful completion of the activity is reported to verification unit 150, to thereby facilitate verification unit 150 to update the data associated with user 20i. Step 299: Return to idle state 201.

(end of method 200 of determining a financial credibility status)

In variations of the present invention, verification unit 150 and control unit 110 are adapted to allow the release and receive of more than one mobile object at a time.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the mobile objects are carts.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the mobile objects are tools taken/returned by servicemen of a company providing, for example, maintenance services. In some embodiments of the present invention, the mobile objects are beach/pool/spa towels in vacation resorts.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the mobile objects are golf carts/trollies, either motorized or not, at golf dedicated courts or clubs.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the mobile objects are sunshades, umbrellas, beach chairs and/or beach cabins in a dedicated beach resort.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the mobile objects are recreational motorized vehicles, such as cars, trucks, scooters or go-carts at a dedicated renting facility.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the mobile objects are medical or paramedical equipment, including wheel-chairs, rollator walkers and equipment the like, at a medical facility.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the mobile objects are research related material, substance or equipment such as restricted drugs, dangerous substances and dedicated restricted equipment, at a research facility, a medical facility, a paramedical facility or a production facility.

In some embodiments of the present invention, control unit 110 activates a lock-mechanism unit 120i to release a preconfigured number of mobile objects. Optionally, to control the number of released/collected mobile objects, lock- mechanism unit 120 may further include a sensor adapted to sense the number of released/collected mobile objects.

In variations of the present invention, a fine imposed on a user that fails to return a lent mobile object, which fine is collected via the cellular services provider of that user.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment and examples thereof, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details thereof. Various substitutions and modifications have been suggested in the foregoing description, and others will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, all such substitutions and modifications are intended to be embraced within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.