Bulk inventory network system
First Claim
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1. An automated inventory management system comprising:
- a sensor that transmits a first output signal corresponding to a material quantity;
a data collector that receives said first output signal from said sensor and transmits a second output signal that is representative of said material quantity;
a remote telemetry unit that receives said second output signal and transmits a signal indicating material quantity; and
a central computer disposed in data communication with said remote telemetry unit for receiving said signal indicating material quantity wherein said central computer includes means for storing a plurality of signals indicating material quantity received by said central computer over time, means for interpreting a past material usage trend based on said plurality of signals indicating material quantity, and means for projecting a material usage rate based on said plurality of signals indicating material quantity.
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Abstract
A system and method for remote monitoring of material storage levels for dry bulk goods, wherein an independent entity, such as a transportation carrier, can continuously monitor raw material supply levels at a remote manufacturing plant, and, based on projected usage rates, place timely orders on behalf of the plant, with preselected vendors, to replenish depleted raw materials. The transportation carrier can then coordinate material shipments from the vendor to the manufacturing site using its own trucks. In this manner, the task of maintaining sufficient on site raw material storage levels is completely removed form the manufacturing plant.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An automated inventory management system comprising:
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a sensor that transmits a first output signal corresponding to a material quantity;
a data collector that receives said first output signal from said sensor and transmits a second output signal that is representative of said material quantity;
a remote telemetry unit that receives said second output signal and transmits a signal indicating material quantity; and
a central computer disposed in data communication with said remote telemetry unit for receiving said signal indicating material quantity wherein said central computer includes means for storing a plurality of signals indicating material quantity received by said central computer over time, means for interpreting a past material usage trend based on said plurality of signals indicating material quantity, and means for projecting a material usage rate based on said plurality of signals indicating material quantity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An automated inventory management system comprising:
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a sensor that produces a first output signal comprising material quantity data;
a data collector that receives said first output signal from said sensor and produces a second output signal comprising said material quantity data;
a remote telemetry unit that receives said second output signal and automatically transmits a third output signal comprising said material quantity data; and
a computer that receives said third output signal comprising material quantity data, wherein said computer comprises means for storing said material quantity data, means for analyzing said material quantity data, and means for projecting a material usage rate based on said material quantity data. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system to maintain a sufficient quantity of material at a remote site comprising:
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a sensor at a remote site that measures a material quantity and produces a first output signal comprising material quantity data;
a data collector that receives said first output signal from said sensor and produces, at predetermined time intervals, a second output signal comprising said material quantity data;
a remote telemetry unit that receives said second output signal and automatically transmits a third output signal comprising said material quantity data;
a computer that receives said third output signal from said remote telemetry unit, wherein said computer comprises means for determining said material quantity, means for storing said material quantity data, means for projecting a material usage rate based on said material quantity data, and means for automatically ordering additional materials from a preselected vendor based on said material quantity data. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification