458 results about "Inventory control" patented technology

An article inventory control system for articles, such as books, uses RFID tags attached to each article. Each tag has a unique identification or serial number for identifying the individual article. An inventory database tracks all of the tagged articles and maintains circulation status information for each article. Articles are checked out of the library using a patron self-checkout system. Checked out articles are returned to the library via patron self-check in devices. The shelves are periodically scanned with a mobile RFID scanner for updating inventory status.

An inventory control system and method that tracks inventories of items with RFID tags, includes a reader unit and an intelligent station that tracks RFID tags to determine item information of items to be inventoried. The reader unit transmits and receives RF signals. The intelligent station includes a first RF antenna connected to the reader unit by a first transmission cable through a first switch, and one or more additional RF antennae connected to the reader unit by the same first transmission cable through additional switches. An inventory control processing unit receives item information from the intelligent stations to update inventory information regarding the items to be inventoried.

Some embodiments provide a system for fully autonomous order fulfillment and inventory management within a distribution site or warehouse. The system operates by autonomous robots directly pulling customer order items from distribution site shelves or pulling individual bins from distribution site shelves and dispensing appropriate quantities of items from the bins until all items of a customer order are retrieved without human involvement. The system further involves the robots autonomously monitoring item quantities within the distribution site, identifying and autonomously responding to shortages, and organizing the items within the distribution site for most efficient order fulfillment.

The present invention relates to capital equipment units, such as systems for providing medical treatment, that are associated with smart supplies. The smart supplies are tagged with data carriers which may encode such information as a unique ID for the supply or component, the identification of the supply or component, the identification of the source of the supply or component, the status of whether said supply or component has been previously used, the expiration date of the supply or component, and in the case where the supply or component contains drug, the purity levels of the drug and the concentration levels of the drug. The capital equipment units or their users then utilize the information to assure quality of any procedure run with the units, by way of improved pre-use checks, certification of the supplies for use, record keeping, inventory control, and charge capture.

A computer-implemented method for merging product marketing control, and product inventory control, based on funds availability and funds allocation from the finance division. The computer-implemented method generates a segment-level consumer choice model for a plurality of competing brands, and aggregates that to a market-level consumer choice model. For each of a plurality of feasible marketing strategies, a brand-level demand is estimated, based on the consumer choice models. Based on a predetermined cost for each of the feasible marketing strategies, and on estimated revenues and estimated costs resulting from the corresponding estimated demand, a maximum profit yielding feasible strategy is determined.

A system, method and computer program product are disclosed for monitoring inventory in an inventory control framework. In accordance with one embodiment, information relating to a load supported by a storage unit may be input into the storage unit. The storage unit may have a weight sensor for sensing the weight of the load supported by the storage unit. Information may then be obtained from the storage unit about the load supported by the storage unit as well as information identifying the storage unit. Inventory information relating to the load my be updated based on the information obtained from the storage unit.

A personal surgical center embodied as a general purpose computer (e.g. laptop) with wireless technology for monitoring the operation of an independent surgical center and / or handheld instruments. The computer tracks procedures in the operating room and instruments used during those procedures, and accounts for billing, supply management, and payment options. The monitoring of the instruments used during the surgery is conducted by the personal surgical center while actual control of the settings of those instruments is via the independent surgical center or via controls included in the instruments themselves. The monitored information is stored in a log file which is then transmitted to a hospital server for generating reports, inventory control, billing, and the like. Other information generated during the procedure (e.g. doctor notes) is also stored in the log file. The personal surgical center may also access the hospital server or local data storage device for retrieving a surgeon's specific surgery parameters, obtaining patient files, and the like.

A system for controlling an amount of liquid poured from a liquid container includes a spout configured for attachment to an opening of a liquid container and for controlling a desired amount of liquid poured from the liquid container. The spout is further configured to emit signals containing activity information. A receiver is configured to receive the signals, and a computer is coupled to the receiver, for processing the signals into text for viewing. The present invention further provides a method of controlling liquid flow from a liquid container, including the steps of: (a) determining an amount of liquid which is to be poured from a liquid container; (b) transmitting activity information signal corresponding to a predetermined activity; (c) remotely receiving the activity information signal of step (b); and (d) processing the activity information signal of step (c) into readable form.

This medical (human and veterinary) CRM and ERP software affects every step of patient interaction: marketing, sales or service-related. It allows management of the workload by distributing the chores among staff members and automates medical and business processes through workflow rules. It enables users to view and update tasks, medical cases, appointments, sales, phone calls, faxes, emails, letters and automatic input of lab results into the patient's medical record. It also serves the needs of people in human resources; finance and inventory control, and integrates with Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, Great Plains and other business systems. It delivers detailed diagnostic differentials associated with a likelihood of their applicability to the given patients' record and physician's experience in his contextual situation; selects the most appropriate diagnostic procedures; offers the possibility for the user to implement context-sensitive tutorials; presents a context-sensitive source of information on diseases and medical procedures.

A method and system for using individualized customer models when operating a retail establishment is provided. The individualized customer models may be generated using statistical analysis of transaction data for the customer, thereby generating sub-models and attributes tailored to customer. The individualized customer models may be used in any aspect of a retail establishment's operations, ranging from supply chain management issues, inventory control, promotion planning (such as selecting parameters for a promotion or simulating results of a promotion), to customer interaction (such as providing a shopping list or providing individualized promotions).

A point-of-purchase (“POP”) display employing RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) technology for inventory control is provided. The POP is preferably fabricated from paper, paperboard and / or corrugated paperboard material, and incorporates one or more shelves and / or cover layers. An RF antenna structure is applied to the surfaces of, or built into, the one or more shelves and / or cover layers. Suitable RF transmitter / receiver circuitry may also be built into the POP, or the POP may simply have suitable connections built in, to permit such transceiver apparatus to be plugged into the POP. The transceiver circuitry is connected in any suitable manner to an inventory control computer, such as the retail store's computer. Each article that is to be displayed in the POP is provided with an RFID tag. Removal of an article from the POP, results in a signal being transmitted to the inventory control computer, corresponding to the removal of the article from the POP, and corresponding adjustment of the inventory records in the inventory control computer.

The security system prevents theft of articles from an enclosure having a lockable access opening. Using RFID technology, a transponder periodically scans the enclosed display area to interrogate RFID tags associated with each of the articles within the enclosure. Access to the enclosure is controlled by an electronically activated retrofit lock associated with the access opening. Biometric technology is used to identify an individual attempting to access the enclosure and to determine whether the identified individual is authorized to access the enclosure. If the individual is authorized, the identity of the authorized individual, the identity of an article removed from the enclosure, and the time that the article was removed from the enclosure are recorded. A POS / inventory control system notes the sale of the removed article. A security alert signal is generated if the removed article is not sold or returned to the enclosure within a given time period after the article was removed from the enclosure. Images of the area proximate the enclosure may be captured by a closed circuit video camera and stored.

A system for enterprise resource management is provided. The system includes a purchase order helper system that receives purchase order entry data and generates purchase order data. The system also includes a sales order helper system that receives sales order entry data and generating sales order data. An inventory control helper system connected to the purchase order system and the sales order system generates inventory control data based upon the sales order data and the purchase order data. A general ledger helper system coupled to the purchase order helper system, the sales order helper system, and the inventory control helper system generates general ledger data based upon the sales order data, purchase order data, and the inventory control data.

The present invention relates to an inventory control system where the most updated number of products displayed on a display space is electronically determined and communicated to a computer for remote users, and electronically displayed along with other relevant information about the products.

Methods and apparatus for disseminating over the Internet product information produced and maintained by product manufacturers using existing universal product codes (bar codes) as access keys. A cross-referencing resource preferably implemented by the existing Internet Domain Name System (DNS) receives Internet request messages containing all or part of a universal product code value and returns the Internet address at which data or services relating to the identified product, or to the manufacturer of that product, may be obtained. By using preferred Web data storage formats and protocol which conform to XML, XLS, XLink, Xpointer, RDF and Web service standards specifications, product and company information may be seamlessly identified, retrieved and integrated with information from other sources. A “web register” module can be employed to provide an Internet interface between a shared sales Internet server and an otherwise conventional inventory control system, and operates in conjunction with the cross-referencing server to provide detailed product information to Internet shoppers who may purchase goods from existing stores via the Internet.

The present invention provides a processing station for automatically processing a biological sample, a system for automated real-time inventory control of consumables within a biological sample handling or assay instrument, a high throughput random access automated instrument for processing biological samples, an automated instrument for processing or analysis of a sample, and processes for automated mucoid detection and elimination. Methods of using the disclosed instruments, mucoid detection processes, and systems to process and / or analyze samples are also disclosed.

An inventory control and prescription management and dispensing system including a dispensing vault for storing and dispensing prescriptions, the dispensing vault in communication with a central computer system that, in turn, communicates with prescription providers, insurance companies, and other third parties; the dispensing vault including robotic means for randomly accessing pre-filled prescriptions within the vault, with the vault further including RFID, bar code, and other means for verifying the content and internal location of pre-filled prescriptions; a customer interface that uses customer biometrics to ID a customer to ensure that prescriptions are only dispensed to the correct person; a patient registration system in communication with the central computer system for collecting insurance, doctor, biometric, and other information to facilitate transactions; a labeling system for labeling pre-filled prescriptions with customer specific information upon dispensing; transport container that integrate into the dispensing vault and provide secure transportation from a pharmaceutical manufacturer or repackager to the dispensing vault, security provided through RFID tags which communicate with the central computer to verify that the transport container contains the correct formulary and that the integrity of the container (temperature range, time in transit, tampering) has not been compromised; a payment system integral to the dispensing vault that is in communication with third party banks and pharmacy billing management systems, credit agencies and the central computer; a verification system for ensuring that pre-filled bottles received from the manufacturer (before they are placed into the storage locations inside the vault) have not had their integrity compromised, with this system evaluating each container's weight, size, moisture content, shape, velocity change, color, pattern, and physical integrity (all comparisons made against standards stored in the central computer).

A system, software, and methods related to enhanced pharmaceutical order entry and administration by medical personnel, and enhanced pharmaceutical inventory control within a medical institution are provided. An embodiment of the system includes a pharmaceutical information management server having memory and a medication administration program product including a set of instructions stored in the memory of the pharmaceutical information management server to enhance provision of pharmacy services. The system also includes medical institution physician computers to provide for computerized physician medication order entry, pharmacy computers to provide for review and verification by a pharmacist of electronic medication orders placed through the physician computers, and medical institution nursing unit computers, to provide for review of and input to electronic medication administration records.

An inventory control system is described which includes anti-collision, radio frequency identification apparatus or tags affixed to each item of an inventory and including a unique code, an interrogator / reader that generates a field of sufficient range to activate each tag associated with each item of the inventory in communication with a computer. The computer includes a list comprising an identifier for each item in the inventory, the code for the tag associated with each item in the inventory and an item status where the status indicates whether the item is present or absent.

The disclosed invention is a software license management system (SLMS) utilizing a web-based interactive database to automate a software management process (SWMP) for managing software assets, measuring compliance requirements, and tracking / reporting status as necessary to assure proficiency and adherence to implementation requirements of the software management process. The SWMP is a process consisting of five different phases. The five steps of the SWMP involve identification of various solution alternatives, acquisition, deployment, maintenance and software retirement. The SWMP establishes high-level software management process to avoid litigation and penalties, maximize software asset utilization through tighter inventory control, and capitalize on the software procurement process.

A valve with a smart handle including a memory module to log relevant data. A sensor on the handle determines when the valve is open, and this triggers the start of timers and recording of the “open” event in a log in the memory module. When the valve is closed, the sensor triggers stopping of the timers and recording of the “closed” event in the log. The timer information is used to calculate the duration of the time “open” event, and this, together with the actual date and time of the opening and closing of the valve are recorded in the log. Other relevant information, such as cylinder fill date, cylinder I.D. number, batch number, and patient name or account number may also be logged in the memory module. The log of the events and the corresponding dates and times may be used to prepare invoices for billing gas treatments, for inventory control, and for other record-keeping and control functions.

The inventory control system process includes storing product information in a database. Location information is also accepted and stored in the database in association with the product information. The system receives a command associated with the database and analyzes the command for an instruction and one or more keywords. Next, the database is searched for one or more products associated with the one or more keywords. A list of products related to the one or more keywords is then displayed. The system then accesses, modifies, retrieves, or deletes database information in response to the instruction.

Systems and methods of the invention relate to managing an inventory of items within a storage container. A storage container can house one or more items for distribution among one or more users such as, for instance, employees. The storage container discussed herein provides authentication of a user, tracking of the inventory each user removes or returns, video / image capture of user during access of the storage container, wireless tracking of items housed within the storage container, among others.

An inventory control device, such as an electronic toolbox, monitors the identity of battery packs that are mounted in the device and used to provide electrical power to the device. The device retrieves a unique identifier for each battery pack, and monitors the operation of each battery pack. The monitored data can be logged into memory for future use, communicated to a user of the inventory control device, and / or used to predict the future performance or replacement date for a battery pack. The monitored data can also be communicated across a communication network to an inventory control server that monitors the operation and performance of battery packs throughout an electronic tools control system including multiple toolboxes. The server can further track the operation and locations of battery packs through all of the toolboxes.

The loading dock traffic automation and inventory control system of the present invention automates the loading dock area by controlling a truck control notification automation system, traffic signal dock lights, loading dock spot light, loading dock fan and dock leveler. The manually operated control panel is energized or de-energized with full automation by the movement of the overhead dock door. The device includes a control panel enclosure mounted on the interior wall of the building next to the loading dock door. One control panel enclosure can service one or two loading dock doors.

A device for dispensing prizes includes a housing having a plurality of compartments, a door attached to the housing for coving the compartments, and a lock for limiting access to the compartments. The contents of the compartments are visible from the outside. Each compartment contains a prize, such as a diamond. The housing may be part of, or linked to, a gaming device. When a player wins a game, which entitles the player to select a tangible award, the device signals this fact to the player. The player then selects a compartment by pressing an input device located on the housing. An attendant opens an external door, and inserts an electronic key into a receptacle associated with the selected compartment, and enters a required code into the key. The compartment then opens, and the player obtains the prize. The device may also include an inventory control system which preferably uses an RFID apparatus for monitoring the contents of each compartment, and for keeping records of an inventory of prizes.

A system and method are disclosed for controlling an inventory of a plurality of point-of-care diagnostic devices. The plurality of devices includes at least one type of device. Each device is configured to perform at least one sample analysis. Each device has a usable lifetime. The inventory includes a main inventory and at least one subinventory. The inventory control system comprises a data input interface for entering data associated with the devices and a data output interface for displaying data associated with the devices. A memory stores data associated with the devices and stores steps of a computer program to automatically update the current number of devices in the at least one subinventory in response to an occurrence of an event that causes a change in the current number of devices in the at least one subinventory. The inventory control system comprises a processor for accessing the memory to execute the computer program.