System and method for controlling access to a local inventory storage system via a remote e-commerce application
First Claim
1. A method for controlling access to product inventory, said method comprising:
- providing an e-commerce application that facilitates online purchases of product stored in a local inventory control system;
maintaining a remote inventory control application configured to regulate physical access to product stored in said local inventory control system;
processing, with said e-commerce application, a transaction for purchasing product stored in said local inventory control system; and
in response to said processing step, said remote inventory control application electronically initiating unlocking of at least a portion of said local inventory control system to provide access to purchased product.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A local inventory control system according to the invention can be remotely regulated by a centralized server architecture. The local inventory control system contains product offered by a business entity, and the same business entity can control unlocking of the local inventory control system using the centralized server architecture. In a practical implementation, the inventory control features are integrated with e-commerce features such that the local inventory control system can be automatically unlocked subsequent to the completion of online purchase transactions initiated at the local site. The inventory control system is well-suited as part of a supply program to manage vendor inventories of life science research products.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method for controlling access to product inventory, said method comprising:
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providing an e-commerce application that facilitates online purchases of product stored in a local inventory control system;
maintaining a remote inventory control application configured to regulate physical access to product stored in said local inventory control system;
processing, with said e-commerce application, a transaction for purchasing product stored in said local inventory control system; and
in response to said processing step, said remote inventory control application electronically initiating unlocking of at least a portion of said local inventory control system to provide access to purchased product. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for obtaining access to product inventory, said method comprising:
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completing an e-commerce transaction for purchased product stored in a local inventory control system;
receiving a user transaction code that facilitates electronic unlocking of at least a portion of said local inventory control system, said user transaction code being generated by a remote inventory control application; and
entering said user transaction code into said local inventory control system to obtain access to said purchased product. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification