Unmanned durable goods sales facility

Abstract

The unmanned durable goods sales facility disclosed herein utilizes a commercial property site which is accessible from a public road. On the commercial property is a fence with an entrance/exit gate that is controlled by a proximity card reader. Inside the fence is a building housing durable goods, in this case heating and air conditioning supplies. Access to the building is also controlled by proximity card readers. Approved customers leave records of receipts for the items purchased with the facility operators. Mechanisms are in place at the sales facility to help customers who encounter problems and also to cope with various emergencies that may occur.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention fits into the general category of being a sales facility. More particularly, this invention fits into the category of being a sales facility for durable goods. Still more particularly, this invention is an unmanned durable goods sales facility. Finally, this invention is an unmanned durable goods sales facility where the durable goods are heating and air conditioning equipment and supplies. [0002] In operating a sales facility such as a store or warehouse, the largest expense usually is spent to employ people to work at the facility along with any health or injury insurance and any pension plans relating to such employees that must be paid put of the pockets of the owner / employer of the sales facility. [0003] The solution to this problem is to construct an unmanned sales facility which can operate without employees. With perishable goods such as refrigerated foods, there would be special problems in operating an unmanned sales facili...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

With perishable goods such as refrigerated foods, there would be special problems in operating an unmanned sales facility that relate to food spoilage.

With respect to fungible goods such as cereal grain or petroleum other problems might occur in the operations of an unmanned sales facility.

However, there is a security problem in that the buildings holding the sales goods need to allow access to licensed customers but not to unlicensed persons.

Several of the problems involved in operating an unmanned sales facility include: theft, unauthorized entry, credit risk of customers and liability for possible injuries to customers.

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