Bailment Inventory Control via Digital Photo Association
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current coat check systems face challenges such as lost coats, lost tickets, unclaimed coats, slow check-in times, and difficulties in locating specific coats, leading to increased liability, customer frustration, and inefficient operations in bailment situations.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for controlling bailment inventory using a data processing device, such as a tablet computer, that eliminates the need for tickets by associating customer identifiers with checked items through photographs, documenting the check-in and check-out processes, and providing a networked solution for efficient coat management and customer data collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional ticket-based coat check systems are used, then customers can identify their coats, but tickets are frequently lost leading to customer frustration and increased check-out times
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a digital copy of the coat photograph and stores it in the database associated with the customer's account. This digital copy replaces the physical ticket as the identification medium, allowing customers to retrieve their coats by providing their customer ID without needing to physically hold a ticket.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical ticket system with an electronic database system. Instead of relying on physical tickets that can be lost, the system uses digital storage and retrieval of coat information associated with customer accounts, eliminating the need for physical ticket handling.
2Reliability
If manual coat tracking methods are used, then businesses can monitor their inventory, but the process is time-consuming and prone to errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual tracking methods with an automated electronic database system. Photographs of coats are captured using a camera device and automatically stored in the database with associated customer information, eliminating manual recording and reducing human error.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service functionality where customers can check in and check out their own coats by providing their customer ID. The automated system handles the tracking and retrieval process without requiring staff intervention for each transaction.
3Reliability
If photograph-based identification is implemented, then ticket loss is eliminated, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a multi-functional approach where the same photograph serves multiple purposes: it documents the coat's appearance for identification, stores customer information, and enables both check-in and check-out processes. This universal use of the photograph reduces the need for separate identification mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for control of bailment inventory is disclosed. The method includes receiving a customer identifier from a customer, receiving from the customer at least one customer item for bailment, associating the customer identifier with the at least one customer item, storing the at least one customer item, and returning the at least one customer item to the customer.