Importance

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Abstract

An unattended distribution facility and an unattended returns facility are incorporated into or are proximate to an attended distribution and return facility operated by an inventory management service. The unattended distribution facility and unattended returns facility are accessible by customers at times when the attended distribution and return facility are unavailable or at times when long waits are required to receive or return items at the attended distribution and return facility because of the number of customers simultaneously trying to obtain or return items. An embodiment includes incorporating the unattended returns facility into the unattended distribution facility. An unattended distribution facility's electronic control system is integrated into an inventory management system used by the inventory management service so that the location of items placed in the unattended distribution facility may be monitored and information about the item may be updated when it is picked up by a customer.

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First Claim