Networked disposal and information distribution apparatus
First Claim
1. A user terminal for scanning information, comprising:
- a processor;
a scanner;
a display; and
programmatic software stored in memory configured to;
store a scanned item code;
receive a supplier-related preference from a user;
transmit over a network to a computer system information related to a scanned item code;
transmit over the network to the computer system the supplier-related preference;
transmit an order to the computer system, the order including an order for at least one item corresponding to at least one scanned item.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is related to methods and systems for waste disposal and information distribution. A discard information processing apparatus comprises a discard unit including a processor, a scanner, the scanner configured to scan a code on items deposited in the discard unit, a network interface coupled to the processor and configured to communicate over a network, a database storing information related to the discard unit'"'"'s contents, and a profile associated with a user of the discard unit. A remote processing system is coupled to the discard unit via the network, the remote processing system including instructions configured to receive information from the database, wherein the received information provides an indication as to when at least a first item is to be replenished, and to provide at least a portion of the received information to at least a first supplier so that the first supplier can predict inventory needs.
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Citations
43 Claims
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1. A user terminal for scanning information, comprising:
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a processor;
a scanner;
a display; and
programmatic software stored in memory configured to;
store a scanned item code;
receive a supplier-related preference from a user;
transmit over a network to a computer system information related to a scanned item code;
transmit over the network to the computer system the supplier-related preference;
transmit an order to the computer system, the order including an order for at least one item corresponding to at least one scanned item. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of allocating orders, comprising:
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receiving over a network order information for a plurality of users'"'"' orders, wherein at least a portion of the order information is based on information scanned from items by the users;
automatically grouping a portion of the orders into a first group based at least in part on the scanned information;
receiving over the network quotes from suppliers for the first group of orders;
selecting at least one supplier based on the quotes; and
placing the first group of orders with the selected suppler. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An apparatus configured to allocate orders, comprising program instructions stored in computer readable memory configured to:
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receive scanned item information from a plurality of scanners associated with a corresponding plurality of users;
generate orders based at least in part on the scanned information;
group a portion of the orders into a first group of orders based on at least a first order characteristic and/or a user characteristic;
process quotes from suppliers for the first group; and
select at least one supplier based on the quotes. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method of processing scanner data, comprising:
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storing in computer readable memory item information scanned by a user using a scanner from a first item;
transmitting over a network item data corresponding to the scanned information to a remote system;
receiving user preference data, including selection criteria for determining to which entity a re-order is to be placed;
transmitting the user preference data to the remote system; and
transmitting a re-order instruction for the first item to the remote system. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. An information processing apparatus, comprising:
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a terminal unit, the terminal unit including;
a processor;
a scanner coupled to the processor, the scanner configured to scan an item code;
a network interface coupled to the processor, the network interface configured to transmit and receive information over a network;
a user interface configured to receive a supplier preference and a shipping for future orders; and
a remote processing system including programmatic software stored in memory configured to;
receive from the terminal unit information related to items codes scanned by the scanner;
receive from the terminal unit the supplier preference and the shipping preference for future orders;
provide an indication as to the supplier preference and at least a portion of the received information related to items codes scanned by the scanner to at least a first supplier so that the first supplier can predict inventory needs. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A method of providing information useable to predict inventories, comprising:
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receiving over a network information related to information scanned by a user from one or more items;
receiving over a network user profile information, including a delivery and/or a shipping preference, associated with the user; and
providing over the network at least a portion of the received information to at least a first entity prior to transmitting a user order for items corresponding to the scanned items so that the first entity can predict inventory needs. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43)
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Specification