Method and system of communication for automated inventory systems

Abstract

Various embodiments of this invention are directed towards the communication infrastructure of an automated inventory system, on which the necessary communication between a dispensing unit and an administrative unit of the system occurs. To facilitate the integration of the automated inventory system into the client's computer network, the infrastructure is preferably implemented using hypertext transfer protocol (http) or its secured counterpart (https). In certain embodiments the administrative unit is located external to the client's network, beyond the client's firewall. In these embodiments it is preferable to have the dispensing unit initiate communication with the administrative units because the firewall is typically setup to reject external connection requests.

Description

PRIORITY INFORMATION [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 100,219, filed Mar. 15, 2002, and also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 276,054 filed Mar. 15, 2001, the entireties of which are incorporated by reference herein and made a part of the present disclosure.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] This invention relates generally to a method and system of communication for a dispensing system. Specifically, the embodiments of this invention are directed towards the communication infrastructure of an automated inventory system. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] In most industrial operations, supplies are stored in centrally located storerooms, tool cribs or lockers. These supplies are manually requisitioned and taken to a work area to be used. The removal of these supplies is later input into an inventory system, often manually. Due to the inherent lag between remo...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] To eliminate the lag, inventory data may be updated at the point-of-use. As doing so manually is too cumbersome, an automated inventory system that captures inventory data at the point-of-use, i.e. when supplies are removed, is desirable. In such an automated inventory systems, a user enters his user id (and optionally a password) into a dispensing unit, which records the quantity of supplies taken by him and automatically updates inventory data. Point-of-user information provides an additional advantage in allowing user efficiency and waste to be tracked.

[0009] The viability of such an automated inventory system often hinges upon the convenience of using its dispensing units. If doing so is inconvenient, users will hoard or stockpile supplies to minimize the inconvenience. This leads to an opposite problem, in which supplies that appear to be used or unavailable on the inventory system are actually available, albeit at an unknown location. Once again, the maintenance of inventory at an unnecessarily high level increases overhead costs and decreases cash flow.

[0018] In some embodiments the communication infrastructure is implemented using the hypertext transfer protocol (http) or its secured counterpart (https). These embodiments are preferred over implementations using traditional ftp, as http implementations are more secure. This makes http based communication infrastructure compatible with client networks having stringent security protocols. A http based communication infrastructure may be integrated into the client's own computer network, reducing cost of implementation and maintenance.

[0019] In one embodiment the communication infrastructure comprises the client's own LAN, WAN, or intranet. In this embodiment communication between an administrative unit and a dispensing unit can be initiated from either unit. In another embodiment the communication infrastructure comprises the Internet. As the administrative unit is located beyond the client's firewalls and proxies, communication between an administrative unit and a dispensing unit is preferably initiated by the dispensing unit, to comply with the client's network security restrictions. Frequent communication between the dispensing unit and the administrative unit will advantageously generate an approximately real time inventory picture at the administrative unit, even though the communication may be initiated by the dispensing unit.

Problems solved by technology

This leads to an opposite problem, in which supplies that appear to be used or unavailable on the inventory system are actually available, albeit at an unknown location.

Once again, the maintenance of inventory at an unnecessarily high level increases overhead costs and decreases cash flow.

As the area of a workspace increases, a centralized dispensing unit becomes more inconvenient for more users.

However, the administration of an automated inventory system becomes more difficult with the addition of dispensing units, as inventory data has to be transferred and consolidated, for administrative purposes.

Commonly, this communication infrastructure is proprietary, and thus expensive to implement and maintain.

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