System and software for processing containers having tools with associated transmitters

• US 20070239289A1
• Filed: 04/11/2006
• Published: 10/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: SDGI Holdings Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Varner, Robert, Cambre, Christopher, Tethrake, Steven, Holmes, Marnita
• Application Number:
  US11/279,330
• Publication Number:
  US 20070239289A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/64
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/37074 Projection device, monitor, track tool, workpiece form, process on display
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/49302 Part, workpiece, code, tool identification
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

Abstract

A software method may include receiving scan data from a device after the device retrieves a readable code from a container, the container having at least one transmitter contained therein, processing the scan data to generate a container code based on the readable code, receiving a signal from the at least one transmitter, the signal including identification information, generating a transaction code based on the container code and the identification information, and instructing the device to transmit the transaction code to a processing device.

Claims

1. A software method comprising:

receiving scan data from a device after the device retrieves a readable code from a container, the container having at least one transmitter contained therein;

processing the scan data to generate a container code based on the readable code;

receiving a signal from the at least one transmitter, the signal including identification information;

generating a transaction code based on the container code and the identification information; and

instructing the device to transmit the transaction code to a processing device.

2. The software method of claim 1, wherein processing the scan data further comprises:

instructing the device to display in a user interface whether the device successfully retrieved the readable code.

3. The software method of claim 2, wherein the user interface displays a message indicating that the device did not successfully retrieve the readable code.

4. The software method of claim 1, wherein processing the scan data further comprises:

queuing the container code in a queue.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a response code from the processing device

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

generating a response indicator based on the response code.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the response indicator includes one or more selecting from the group consisting of:

an audible cue, a visual cue, a vibrational cue, color coded data, a processing order, an error message, destination information, and combinations thereof.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the identification information includes one or more selecting from the group consisting of:

a Universal Product Code, a product name, a unique identification number, a processing order, a shipping date, a received date, a number of usages, a manufacturer, a number of uses, a number of sterilizations, a last sterilization date, a last usage date, a point of origin, a destination, a number of refurbishments, an age, previous user information, usage date information, and combinations thereof.

9. A software method for a processing device comprising:

receiving a transaction code transmitted from a device, the transaction code including data corresponding to a container code of a container and identification information of a transmitter associated with the container;

updating a database table based on the container code and the identification information;

generating a response code based on information stored in the database table, the response code being usable by the device to generate a response indicator for processing the container; and

transmitting the response code to the device.

10. The software method according to claim 9, wherein the response code includes one or more selected from the group consisting of:

shipment information, an expected number of transmitters, required processing information, a processing order, storage information, an error code, and combinations thereof.

11. The software method according to claim 9, wherein the database table stores a previous transaction code received from the device.

12. The software method according to claim 10, further comprising:

comparing the previous transaction code with the transaction code to generate comparison information.

13. The software method according to claim 12, further comprising:

generating the response code based on the comparison information.

14. A system comprising:

an access point,

a container, the container comprising a readable code and having at least one transmitter contained therein;

a device, the device being adapted to retrieve the readable code and being adapted to generate a wireless signal and to receive a response signal transmitted from the transmitter in response to the wireless signal, the device being adapted to generate a transaction code based on the readable code and the response signal, and to transmit the transaction code to the access point.

15. The system according to claim 14, further comprising:

a database, wherein the access point is adapted to transmit the transaction code to the database and the database is adapted to process the transaction code and to generate a response code based on the transaction code.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein device comprises a wireless communication device and a scanning device.

17. The system according to claim 14, wherein the device is a handheld device.

18. The system according to claim 14, wherein the device includes a display.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein the device wirelessly exchanges data with the access point.

20. The system of claim 14, further comprising:

a server, wherein the server receives the transaction code from the access point across a network.

21. One or more computer-readable media having computer-readable instructions thereon which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to:

receive scan data from a device after the device retrieves a readable code from a container, the container having at least one transmitter contained therein;

process the scan data to generate a container code based on the readable code;

receive a signal from the at least one transmitter, the signal including identification information;

generate a transaction code based on the container code and the identification information; and

instruct the device to transmit the transaction code to a processing device.

22. One or more computer-readable media having computer-readable instructions thereon which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to:

receive a transaction code transmitted from a device, the transaction code including data corresponding to a container code of a container and identification information of a transmitter associated with the container;

update a database table based on the container code and the identification information;

generate a response code based on information stored in the database table, the response code being usable by the device to generate a response indicator for processing the container; and

transmit the response code to the device.