Abstract: A system and method for graphically locating merchandise. An interactive display can present a high level environment displaying various categories of merchandise in a mapped image. A user can highlight a portion of the mapped image and navigate to a lower level environment displaying a subset of categories associated with the highlighted portion in another mapped image. The user can continue to navigate through increasingly detailed environments until a desired product is located. In one embodiment, a computer system associated with the interactive display identifies a store location where the desired product or goods similar to the desired product may be found. In another embodiment, the computer system allows the user to locate a plurality of desired items and provides the user with a store map locating all of the desired items and illustrating a path from the interactive display to the desired items.

Abstract: An automated merchandising dispenser that forms an integral part of an automated merchandising system is disclosed. A dispenser enables a consumer to immediately locate and obtain desired items that may be customized according to at least size, color, and style. Inventory for a particular item is categorized and identified with a machine readable identifier. The machine readable identifier includes information identifying the item and customization criteria, such as size, color, and style. The consumer, via a user interface, enters criteria for the particular desired item and the merchandising dispenser searches inventory categorized using the machine readable identifier. Available inventory may immediately be dispensed to the consumer, either locally or to a remote location. The consumer may be immediately notified of out of stock items and may be offered alternative items or alternative purchasing modes. Inventory may be segregated and local to dispensers or may be centralized and routed to dispensers.

Abstract: A system and method for graphically locating merchandise. An interactive display can present a high level environment displaying various categories of merchandise in a mapped image. A user can highlight a portion of the mapped image and navigate to a lower level environment displaying a subset of categories associated with the highlighted portion in another mapped image. The user can continue to navigate through increasingly detailed environments until a desired product is located. In one embodiment, a computer system associated with the interactive display identifies a store location where the desired product or goods similar to the desired product may be found. In another embodiment, the computer system allows the user to locate a plurality of desired items and provides the user with a store map locating all of the desired items and illustrating a path from the interactive display to the desired items.

Abstract: An automated merchandising dispenser that forms an integral part of an automated merchandising system is disclosed. A dispenser enables a consumer to immediately locate and obtain desired items that may be customized according to at least size, color, and style. Inventory for a particular item is categorized and identified with a machine readable identifier. The machine readable identifier includes information identifying the item and customization criteria, such as size, color, and style. The consumer, via a user interface, enters criteria for the particular desired item and the merchandising dispenser searches inventory categorized using the machine readable identifier. Available inventory may immediately be dispensed to the consumer, either locally or to a remote location. The consumer may be immediately notified of out of stock items and may be offered alternative items or alternative purchasing modes. Inventory may be segregated and local to dispensers or may be centralized and routed to dispensers.

Abstract: A clerk paging system for retail stores wherein a customer can push a "help" button on a call box, there being a call box in each department of the store, and the system automatically provides a stored, paging message to the store's existing paging system, including public address systems and radio systems, the message asking for help at the department in which the customer pushed the "help" button. The system automatically repeats the message with a preset time interval between messages, but only until a clerk pushes a "reset" switch on the same call box upon which the "help" button was pushed. To assist telephoning customers, clerks are paged using a two-part message. The first part of the message, typically a department name, is determined by a button pushed by the store's telephone operator. The system automatically determines the second part of the message, consisting of the telephone line number, by monitoring phone line status. A typical resulting message would be "Plumbing, Line Two".