Abstract: A dispensing system including a dispensing component configured to receive a plurality of items thereon or therein, where the plurality of items are part of a single order. The system further includes a sensor configured to identify a location of each of the plurality of items on or in the component, and a controller operatively coupled to the sensor. The controller is configured to automatically track, after initial placement of the plurality of items on or in the component, the location each of the plurality of items that are repositioned on or in the component. The controller is also configured to associate each of the plurality of items with the order, both before and after repositioning. The system includes a display device operatively coupled to the controller, wherein the display device is configured to dynamically display information that conveys that the plurality of items are part of the single order.

Abstract: A dispensing system including a sensor configured to identify a position of an item on a surface of a component, a controller operatively coupled to the sensor, and a display device operatively coupled to the controller. The display device is configured to dynamically display information relating to the item. The display device is configured to display the information at a location physically associated with the item.

Abstract: An order fulfillment system having a frame defining a compartment therein that extends between a first space and a second space, and a first door coupled to the frame. The first door is movable between an open position providing access to the compartment from the first space, and a closed position blocking access to the compartment from the first space. The system further includes a second door coupled to the frame, wherein the second door is movable between an open position providing access to the compartment from the second space, and a closed position blocking access to the compartment from the second space. The system is configured such that the compartment has greater fluid communication with the first space compared to the second space when the first door is in the closed position and the second door is in the closed position.

Abstract: Motorized door assemblies having a door pivoting about a pivot axis extending across opposing jambs. In one aspect, the assembly includes a motor assembly having a motor, drive gears, slip clutch, and driven shaft connected to the door to pivot it about the pivot axis. The slip clutch includes a clutch plate slideable along the driven shaft, a drive plate driven by the motor via the drive gears, and a clutch spring urging the clutch plate into engagement with the drive plate, where the clutch and drive plates have profiled and counter-profiled faces. In another aspect, a break beam emitter and receiver are mounted to respective ones of the opposing jambs along a beam axis extending parallel to the pivot axis and proximate to an edge of the door opposite the pivot axis. Interruption of a light beam projected therebetween alters operation of a motor assembly.

Abstract: A system for automatically assigning sequential identification values to networked nodes, such as accessory modules within a storage and dispensing enclosure. The system includes a host controller communicating with client controllers via both a shared, multi-drop communications bus and an initial segment of a daisy-chained, point-to-point communications bus. The host controller issues a token to a first client controller via the point-to-point bus, then queries the client controllers, receives a reply from the client controller having the token (associating that controller with a sequential identification value), and commands passing of the token, each via the multi-drop bus. The client controllers receive the token and query via the respective busses and, if that controller has the token, reply to the query via the multi-drop bus, as well as receive the command and, if that controller has the token, pass the token via the point-to-point bus to a subsequent controller.

Abstract: Systems and methods for autonomously dispensing items. A dispensing system receives a first distributed ledger transaction that: i) identifies an item, ii) identifies a container associated with and containing the item, iii) includes a status indicator in a first state identifying the item as present in the container, and iv) includes an authorization code associated with a mobile device. The authorization code is received from the mobile device. The dispensing system creates a second distributed ledger transaction based on the first distributed ledger transaction that changes the status indicator to a second state identifying the item as authorized for dispensing. Responsive to the creation of the second distributed ledger transaction, access is autonomously provided to the item. The dispensing system creates a third distributed ledger transaction based on the second distributed ledger transaction that changes the status indicator to a third state identifying the item as dispensed.

Abstract: A system for automatically assigning sequential identification values to networked nodes, such as accessory modules within a storage and dispensing enclosure. The system includes a host controller communicating with client controllers via both a shared, multi-drop communications bus and an initial segment of a daisy-chained, point-to-point communications bus. The host controller issues a token to a first client controller via the point-to-point bus, then queries the client controllers, receives a reply from the client controller having the token (associating that controller with a sequential identification value), and commands passing of the token, each via the multi-drop bus. The client controllers receive the token and query via the respective busses and, if that controller has the token, reply to the query via the multi-drop bus, as well as receive the command and, if that controller has the token, pass the token via the point-to-point bus to a subsequent controller.

Abstract: An access and storage system including a generally enclosed storage compartment configured to be positioned on a ground surface such that a wheeled conveyance device carrying an item to be transferred is rollable directly into the storage compartment. The system includes a sensor system configured to track at least one of a placement, removal, presence or absence of the item or the wheeled conveyance relative to the storage compartment, and an access control system configured to control access to the storage compartment.

Abstract: A system for automatically assigning sequential identification values to networked nodes, such as accessory modules within a storage and dispensing enclosure. The system includes a host controller communicating with client controllers via both a shared, multi-drop communications bus and an initial segment of a daisy-chained, point-to-point communications bus. The host controller issues a token to a first client controller via the point-to-point bus, then queries the client controllers, receives a reply from the client controller having the token (associating that controller with a sequential identification value), and commands passing of the token, each via the multi-drop bus. The client controllers receive the token and query via the respective busses and, if that controller has the token, reply to the query via the multi-drop bus, as well as receive the command and, if that controller has the token, pass the token via the point-to-point bus to a subsequent controller.

Abstract: An access and storage system including a storage component configured to store items therein or thereon in an associated storage position, wherein the storage component is configured to provide a user direct manual access to the items in the storage positions. The system further includes a sensor system configured to track at least one of the user's removal of an item from the associated storage position or replacement of an item to the associated storage position and an identification system for identifying the user. The system also has an authorization database operatively coupled to the identification system for tracking which of the items a particular identified user is authorized to access.

Abstract: An access and storage system including a storage component configured to store items therein or thereon in an associated storage position, wherein the storage component is configured to provide a user direct manual access to the items in the storage positions. The system further includes a sensor system configured to track at least one of the user's removal of an item from the associated storage position or replacement of an item to the associated storage position and an identification system for identifying the user. The system also has an authorization database operatively coupled to the identification system for tracking which of the items a particular identified user is authorized to access.

Abstract: An access and storage system including a storage component configured to store items therein or thereon in an associated storage position, wherein the storage component is configured to provide a user direct manual access to the items in the storage positions. The system further includes a sensor system configured to track at least one of the user's removal of an item from the associated storage position or replacement of an item to the associated storage position and an identification system for identifying the user. The system also has an authorization database operatively coupled to the identification system for tracking which of the items a particular identified user is authorized to access.

Abstract: A door assembly system including a door assembly frame and a plurality of doors, each door being movably coupled to the door assembly frame. The system further includes an electrically activatable component coupled to the door assembly frame and operatively coupled to at least one door to selectively lock or unlock the at least one door. The door assembly frame is configured to be removably attached to a storage device frame having a plurality of compartments such that each door covers one of the compartments. The electrically activatable component is configured to be operatively connected to a controller coupled to the storage device frame.

Abstract: A dispensing system including a sensor configured to identify a position of an item on a surface of a component, a controller operatively coupled to the sensor, and a display device operatively coupled to the controller. The display device is configured to dynamically display information relating to the item. The display device is configured to display the information at a location physically associated with the item.

Abstract: Systems and methods for autonomously dispensing items. A dispensing system receives a first distributed ledger transaction that: i) identifies an item, ii) identifies a container associated with and containing the item, iii) includes a status indicator in a first state identifying the item as present in the container, and iv) includes an authorization code associated with a mobile device. The authorization code is received from the mobile device. The dispensing system creates a second distributed ledger transaction based on the first distributed ledger transaction that changes the status indicator to a second state identifying the item as authorized for dispensing. Responsive to the creation of the second distributed ledger transaction, access is autonomously provided to the item. The dispensing system creates a third distributed ledger transaction based on the second distributed ledger transaction that changes the status indicator to a third state identifying the item as dispensed.