Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to an online ordering/takeout system for customers to place orders with a variety of merchants, where a customer can let a merchant know that the customer is on their way, and in response, the status of the order is updated in a locker-tracking system. In an illustrative example, a customer device may allow for customers to communicate an in-transit status to the merchant. A merchant device may, for example, allow a customer to gain access to a locker that stores the customer's order. In response to milestone events, such as placing a food item in a locker or the customer indicating they are “on their way,” the system may update a status of the locker to reflect a current status of the locker/order. Some embodiments may advantageously provide confirmation to the merchant that the customer is in route to the merchant's location.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to an online ordering/takeout system for customers to place orders with a variety of merchants, where a customer can let a merchant know that the customer is on their way, and in response, the status of the order is updated in a locker-tracking system. In an illustrative example, a customer device may allow for customers to communicate an in-transit status to the merchant. A merchant device may, for example, allow a customer to gain access to a locker that stores the customer's order. In response to milestone events, such as placing a food item in a locker or the customer indicating they are “on their way,” the system may update a status of the locker to reflect a current status of the locker/order. Some embodiments may advantageously provide confirmation to the merchant that the customer is in route to the merchant's location.

Abstract: The apparatus and system for controlling the temperature of a plurality of separate storage compartments described herein has been made in consideration of the above problems. An exemplary embodiment of such an apparatus includes a centralized refrigeration system that circulates chilled air to these separate storage compartments and a number of heating units located within the apparatus housing but separate from the storage compartments for purposes of user convenience. It also includes a locking mechanism capable of securing food, beverages, and/or medicine stored in the apparatus against unauthorized access. Additional functionality, such as an Internet connection and sufficient instrumentation to allow the status of the storage compartments to be monitored, may also be included in such an embodiment.