175 results about "Inventory level" patented technology

A method and system of dispensing items in a controlled manner from cabinets or similar enclosures, re-ordering the dispensed articles or items, and providing inventory and other information about the items and users in the system. The invention utilizes a distributed network and permits users to browse and search for any item across multiple enclosures from any location. The method and system can track inventory, generate administrative reports, and independently initiate orders based on aggregate inventory levels of multiple enclosures to gain the benefit of volume discounts, minimize deliveries, maximize availability of items, or generate individual orders based on specific enclosures to maintain just-in-time inventory levels. The method and system also track the removal and stocking of items through unique identification strings, so that individual access, use, and theft of items can be monitored.

The present invention relates to a system for tracking product on a shelf. In an embodiment, an indicia strip is placed on a self coiling sheet, and a sensor is configured to read the indicia strip. The data on the indicia strip corresponds to the location of a pusher assembly. In an embodiment, a store computer can use the data regarding the location of the pusher assembly to determine the amount of inventory on the shelf. In an embodiment, the store computer can automatically order additional inventory based on the levels of inventory on the shelf. In an embodiment, a deviation from normal customer purchasing habits can be used to prompt security measures so as to reduce the possibility of product theft.

The present invention is directed to a method and system for managing the inventory level of, and the distribution of, electronic media rental units, including but not limited to videogame discs, musical compact disks, or movie VCD/DVDs. More specifically, preferred embodiments of the present invention forecasts future rental and sales demand for a given electronic media, such as a videogame, prior to the release of that electronic media to the general public. The forecast is based on the pre-release demand of the electronic media in that the future rental and sales demand is estimated from the rental and sales demand of previously released electronic media having similar pre-release demand. Furthermore, the preferred embodiments of the present invention allows registered members of a rental user group to keep rented units of the electronic media for a purchase price, which is dynamically controlled to minimize rental shortage and maximize profits.

Systems, apparatus, and methods for determining groups of similar consumers and for identifying a trend in consumer behavior are provided. Likelihoods of a transaction being initiated at various times by one consumer can be calculated based on previous transactions of the consumer. The likelihoods for different consumers can be used to determine a group of similar consumers as a demographic. The likelihoods of a transaction being initiated at various times by a consumer of a demographic (or other entity) can be used to forecast trends (such as a demand for a product) and make business decisions, such as for marketing campaigns, inventory levels (e.g. at particular stores or for all stores), pricing, and store locations. Such likelihoods when focused to a particular category of transactions can provide even greater accuracy.

A portable dispensing system comprising a vending machine including an upper snack-holding portion, an intermediate beverage-holding portion, a lower refrigeration portion, contained within a housing that fits within the basket of a golf cart. The snack-holding portion and the beverage-holding portion occupy a common cabinet being separated by an insulating wall, allowing a refrigeration mechanism within the refrigeration portion to refrigerate the beverage-holding portion without refrigerating the snack-holding portion. The cabinet is disposed above the basket within the golf cart, and may be provided with a pair of belts for fastening the dispensing system to the golf cart. Within the snack-holding portion, snacks are held in a plurality of snack-holding bins, with similar snacks being stored in a single bin, separated from one another by sliding platforms. When a sliding platform is pulled away, the snack product resting atop the sliding platform is released to fall downward into a lowest position within the bin, to be retrieved by the user through a door. Within the beverage-holding portion, cans are stored in a plurality of columns to be retrieved through doors. An inventory management system is disclosed for controlling and monitoring the dispensing of refreshments and sundries. The inventory management system including a systems for electronically accepting payment, a system for monitoring inventory levels, and a system for wirelessly communicating with a remote terminal.

In one embodiment, an inventory level assessment feature or service is provided for a camera-enabled mobile device such that a user of such mobile device can use the mobile device to measure inventory levels of a product in a physical location (e.g., a warehouse, a retail store or another context) pictured in one or more captured images from such device. Among other things, as the user points the mobile device's camera at one or more sections of the physical location, data relating to the captured image or images of such sections of the physical location are transmitted to and processed by a remote inventory assessment engine to determine a current inventory level of the product in the imaged section or sections.

A method for managing inventory within a supply chain. The method is performed by providing forecasts of demand for items distributed within the supply chain, using the forecasts to establish base stocking levels and reorder points within the supply chain, and using the established base stocking levels and reorder points to position items within the supply chain so as to maximize efficiency and profitability when responding to an order for an item.

A computer based system automatically gathers, analyzes, and delivers information relating to the procurement and utilization of a plurality of such assets, such as a fleet of industrial equipment, so as to maximize productivity and to reduce operating costs and administrative burdens. Each of the assets is preferably provided with a data acquisition device for sensing and storing one or more operating characteristics associated therewith. That information can be transmitted through space to a receiver connected to a local controller for storing such information and for transmitting such information to a remote analysis system. The remote analysis system automatically updates individual records associated with each of the assets with the information received. In response to such information, the remote analysis system automatically analyzes the newly provided information and schedules maintenance as required. Information associated with the maintenance is also recorded electronically to maximize efficiency, provide historical trends, automate billing, and control inventory levels.

Provided is a method and system for the management of inventory and/or promotional campaigns associated with electronic distribution of secure money saving or discount incentives, including coupons and other marketing incentives and, in particular, to modifying a promotional campaign and/or modifying inventory levels and product ordering based on transaction data relating to coupons distributed as part of an online computer system for interactively distributing such incentives to remotely connected consumer computers.

A method for managing spare parts and tools for a manufacturing enterprise is disclosed. Historical demand values are statistically analyzed to determine optimal stocking levels for spare parts based upon required availability percentages, parts lead times, and the statistical distribution parts demand levels. Parts stocking decisions can also be based upon planned and preventative maintenance timeframes with such parts ordered on an as-needed basis in accordance with lead times. Spare parts inventory management can utilize an enterprise-wide computer system to integrate parts demand planning with systems used for engineering and other changes to manufacturing processes and facility maintenance systems. The computer system can perform varying degrees of the parts reordering and planning process and automate certain steps while providing for decision of other issues by parts management personnel.

A method and system for forecasting product order quantities required to meet future product demands for a retail distribution center or warehouse. The method includes the steps of determining for each one of a plurality of retail stores, a long range order forecast for a product sold by said retail store; accumulating said long range order forecasts for said plurality of retail stores to generate a distribution center demand forecast for said retail distribution center; comparing said distribution center demand forecast with current and projected future inventory levels at said distribution center of said product; and determining from distribution center demand forecast and said current and projected future inventory levels suggested order quantities necessary for maintaining a minimum inventory level sufficient to meet said distribution center demand forecast for said product.

A system and method for managing inventory levels in mobile vending machines is disclosed. Mobile vending machines, such as those located in passenger vehicles for hire, change their location as a result of the passenger vehicle for fire driving to and from passenger destinations. The present system provides for monitoring the inventory levels of the vending machine, the distance from an inventory replenishment depot, and whether or not the vehicle currently has a fare. The system can direct vehicle's driver to proceed to a replenishment depot if the distance and inventory levels are within a threshold and the vehicle does not currently have a fare. The vending machine inventory can be replenished via the use of cartridges preloaded with inventory.

Sensitivity information about the average back-ordered sales and inventory levels of a back-order (R,s,S) inventory system is generated with respect to the two decision variables s and S. This information is used for what-if analysis and optimization of the decision variables s and S. The computer implemented algorithm provides sensitivity of both average inventory levels and average back orders with respect to changes in s and q (where q=S-s), for a back-order inventory simulation for any specified demand distribution. Further, the sensitivity information provided by the algorithm is exact when compared to a finite-difference simulation for the case of both discrete and continuous, stationary and non-stationary demands. A finite difference estimate of the sensitivity is obtained by running two simulations where the parameter in question (s or S) differ by a chosen small number, and then calculating the resulting difference in the performance measure of interest, in this case average inventory and back orders.

The invention relates to a system and methods for sensing and analyzing inventory levels and consumer buying habits. The system includes a sensor pad that can be easily installed on a display shelf by simply resting the panel on the shelf. Sensors are mounted inside the sensor pad that are hardwired to circuitry collectively called a smart hub. The hub is a programmable device with an integrated paging transceiver for communicating with a remotely located server that is managed by the inventory sensing service provider. The hub periodically transmits a report, which is highly configurable, to the service provider's server, preferably as a text message over the paging network, which arrives at a service provider's server after being converted to an e-mail. This server converts the information in the reports into inventory data and stores this data in a database that customers of the inventory service can access remotely. The server also generates reports reflecting inventory data and consumer purchasing behavior for the various display racks equipped with a smart hub.

A method for optimally distributing inventory in short supply from a warehouse to retail stores served by the warehouse. The method compares future store product requirements with future warehouse inventory levels to identify potential product inventory constraints. Once a constrained product is identified, the method automatically adjusts store orders based on store “must have” requirements, prioritization rules selected and ranked by the user, and historical store sales performance.

A system includes a plurality of vending machines communicating wirelessly with a centralized consolidation unit. The consolidation unit communicates via a pre-established communications network, such as a wired or wireless telephone network with a data collection center. A method of polling a vending machine having a wireless transceiver includes sending a first wireless signal to the wireless transceiver of the vending machine, the first signal soliciting a status response from the vending machine, and receiving a second wireless signal from the transceiver of the vending machine, the second signal including the status response which includes information pertaining to a status of the vending machine. The status information may pertain to an inventory level, money deposits, maintenance status or security status of the vending machine.

The invention discloses a method for predicting spare part demand in an equipment manufacturing process. The method comprises the following steps of: 1, directly acquiring an achieved availability (Aa) index, mean time between failures (MTBF), mean time to repair (MTTR) and mean preventive maintenance time (MPMT) of equipment; 2, acquiring mean waiting time (WT) of system level spare parts; 3, distributing the WT of the system level spare parts and acquiring waiting time WTi of a subsystem; 4, acquiring the waiting time WTij of each of line replaceable unit (LRU) level products which form the subsystem by a Dephi distribution method; 5, acquiring a spare part out-of-stock expected value EBOij and an inventory level sij of the LRU; and 6, acquiring a spare part fill rate according to the inventory level sij. A quantitative relation between spare part waiting time and equipment availability is established and spare part planning is always performed based on a user demand and a manufacturing requirement. Due to the combination of an equal distribution method and a Dephi method, the method has high flexibility and can be suitable for various stages of engineering development.