Amazon Patents 'Bricks And Mortar' Automation Technology

filed a patent on technology for a bricks-and-mortar store that would enable shoppers to bypass cashiers and payment kiosks.

apparently was first to report the patent on Monday. The patent was

by Amazon employees Steve Kessel and Dilip Kumar, both identified by re/code as long-time associates of Chief Executive Jeff Bezos. A third inventor is Gianna Puerini, who re/code said has been with the company for nearly 12 years, and is a vice president focused on product management and user experience. Titled "transitioning materials from a materials handling facility," much of the patent's technology appears applicable to warehouse management. But portions of the document explicitly apply to retail stores. "Rather than the user having to stop and ‘check out' with a cashier, teller or automated check station...the user, without having to stop or otherwise be delayed, will automatically be charged a fee for the items." Re/code points out that most patents held by technology companies don't result in actual products.