Tool having an integral system for remotely ordering inventory

• US 20060167770A1
• Filed: 01/21/2005
• Published: 07/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Original Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Inventors: Panasik, Cheryl L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,082,181 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/28
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]

Abstract

A host tool having an integral system for ordering inventory from an inventory order interface has a processing unit, a location provider and a remote connector. The location provider is configured to selectively provide the location of the host tool to the processing unit, while the remote connector is configured to establish a remote connection between the processing unit and an inventory order interface of the supplier of the inventory. A customer identification card having order information is selectively connected to the host tool. When the card is connected, the information is read by and transmitted from the host tool to the inventory order interface through the remote connector. The processing unit is configured to interface location information from the location provider, payment information and order information from the customer identification card, through the remote connector, to place an order for inventory at the inventory order interface.

Claims

1. A host tool having an integral system for ordering inventory from an inventory order interface, the host tool comprising:

a processing unit;

a location provider configured to selectively provide the location of the host tool to said processing unit;

a remote connector configured to establish a remote connection between said processing unit and an inventory order interface;

a customer identification card in selective connection to the host tool and having order information to be read by the host tool through said selective connection, and wherein said information is transmitted from the host tool to said inventory order interface through said remote connector; and

wherein said processing unit is configured to interface information from said location provider and said customer identification card through said remote connector to place an order for inventory at the inventory order interface.

2. The wireless system of claim 1 further comprising a bypass switch on said host tool configured to selectively override the location provider from providing the location of the host tool to said processing unit, and to further provide a default location to said processing unit.

3. The wireless system of claim 1 wherein said remote connector is a cellular card that is capable of connecting to the Internet to access the inventory order interface.

4. The wireless system of claim 1 wherein said remote site connector is a standard Internet connection to the inventory order interface.

5. The wireless system of claim 1 wherein said remote site connector is a direct modem connection to the inventory order interface.

6. The wireless system of claim 1 further comprising a customer identification card reader disposed on the tool for reading and transmitting said order information to said processing unit.

7. The wireless system of claim 6 wherein said selective connection of said customer identification card to the host tool occurs by the magnetic connection of said customer identification card in said customer identification card reader.

8. A method for ordering inventory from an inventory order interface using a host tool having a customer identification card reader, the method comprising the steps of:

providing power to the host tool;

connecting a customer identification card to the customer identification card reader to transmit order information to the host tool;

automatically establishing a connection between the host tool and the inventory order interface; and

automatically transmitting order information from the host tool to the inventory order interface.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the customer identification card is swiped through said customer identification card reader.

10. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of providing location information from a location provider disposed in the host tool and transmitting said location information to the inventory order interface.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of selectively bypassing said location provider from providing said location information.

12. A customer identification card for providing order information to a host tool, said customer identification card comprising payment information and order information, wherein said customer identification card is configured to be one of electrically and magnetically connected to the host tool for the host tool to read said payment information and said order information.

13. The customer identification card of claim 12 wherein said order information further comprises the user'"'"'s main shipping address.

14. The customer identification card of claim 12 wherein said order information further comprises a predetermined order quantity and product type.