System and methods for on-line, real-time inventory display, monitoring, and control

• US 20010027418A1
• Filed: 01/26/2001
• Published: 10/04/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ronald Fredrik Michael Johnson
• Original Assignee: Ronald Fredrik Michael Johnson
• Inventors: Johnson, Ronald Fredrik Michael
• Application Number:
  US09/769,294
• Publication Number:
  US 20010027418A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/22
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/203 Inventory monitoring

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed which allow on-line, real-time monitoring and control of inventory information. Inventory may be monitored through a web page or other database interface, thereby giving access to precise inventory information. Inventory information may be adjusted at various times throughout the receiving/order fulfillment/shipping process. Access to information stored in a database may be controlled on a user-by-user basis. By providing accurate, real-time inventory information to on-line customers, the present invention may improve customer service, give customers reasonable expectations, and help companies automate many of their shipping and receiving functions.

Claims

1. A real-time inventory management system comprising:

a database, for storing inventory information;

a communication interface, for providing access to said database, said interface communicating between a server and a client;

a server, for providing access to system accessible data, and for performing business logic on such data; and

,

a client, for providing a user interface to the system.

2. The real-time inventory management system of

claim 1

, in which said server is comprised of a web server.

3. The real-time inventory management system of

claim 1

, in which said client is comprised of a web browser.

4. The real-time inventory management system of

claim 1

, further comprising a means of wireless communications between a client and a server.

5. The real-time inventory management system of

claim 1

, in which said client is comprised of a combination of a web browser and custom software for real-time inventory display.

6. The real-time inventory management system of

claim 1

, in which said client is comprised of a combination of a web browser and custom software for real-time inventory monitoring.

7. The real-time inventory management system of

claim 1

, in which said client is comprised of a combination of a web browser and custom software for real-time inventory control.

8. The real-time inventory management system of

claim 1

, in which said client is comprised of a combination of a web browser and custom software for real-time inventory display, monitoring, and control.

9. The real-time inventory management system of

claim 1

, in which said client includes a device capable of reading container labels.

10. The real-time inventory management system of

claim 9

, in which said client includes a barcode scanner.

11. The real-time inventory management system of

claim 1

, in which said client periodically receives or requests inventory updates from said server.

12. A method of real-time inventory management, comprising the steps of:

recording orders and order properties, including quantities ordered, date ordered, anticipated delivery time, and anticipated delivery date in an inventory database;

recording any new or returned inventory arrivals, and incrementing corresponding on-hand inventory entries;

receiving purchase requests and placing corresponding inventory on reserve;

calculating inventory quantities available for delivery as a difference between quantity on-hand and quantity on reserve. decrementing both reserve and inventory totals upon shipment; and

providing user-appropriate inventory information when requested.

13. The real-time inventory management method of

claim 12

, in which said new inventory orders are entered through an accounting system.

14. The real-time inventory management method of

claim 13

, wherein said accounting system automatically updates an inventory database.

15. The real-time inventory management method of

claim 12

, in which electronically readable codes corresponding to inventory items are read by a client as items are received or shipped.

16. The real-time inventory management method of

claim 15

, in which said electronically readable codes are Universal Product Code (UPC) codes.

17. The real-time inventory management method of

claim 12

, in which said user-appropriate inventory information is displayed on a client.