Portable computer and printer for tracking inventory

• US 5,930,770 A
• Filed: 12/02/1996
• Issued: 07/27/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Steve Edgar
• Original Assignee: Steve Edgar
• Inventors: Edgar, Steve
• Primary Examiner(s): MacDonald, Allen R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kanof, Pedro R.
• Application Number:
  US08/759,047
• Time in Patent Office: 967 Days
• Field of Search: 705/28
• US Class Current: 705/28
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1632 Pen holder integrated in the computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0875 Itemisation or classification of parts, supplies or services, e.g. bill of materials
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/201 Price look-up processing, e.g. updating
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/203 Inventory monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting

Abstract

The present invention relates to an inventory control system (10) comprising: a portable computer (12) having a portable computer stylus (12E) which has at least one portable computer stylus button (12EB). A portable printer (14) is electrically connected to the portable computer CPU (12A). A computer software (16) is contained within the portable computer (12). The computer software (16) comprises computer software inventory (16A) having computer software inventory items. The computer software (16) further comprises a separate computer software check box (16B) corresponding to each computer software inventory item. The computer software check box (16B) is positioned adjacent to and correlating with each computer software inventory item. The computer software (16) further comprises a separate computer software quantity (16C) corresponding to each computer software inventory item. The computer software quantity (16C) is positioned adjacent to and correlating with each computer software inventory item. The computer software (16) further comprises a separate computer software damage (16D) corresponding to each computer software inventory item. The computer software (16) further comprises a computer software disclaimer (16E) which comprises a computer software pick up disclaimer (16EA) having a computer software pick up disclaimer signature line (16EAA) and a computer software pick up disclaimer computer generated date (16EAB). The computer software disclaimer (16E) further comprises a computer software deliver disclaimer (16EB) having a computer software deliver disclaimer signature line (16EBA) and a computer software deliver disclaimer computer generated date (16EBB), The computer software (16) further comprises a computer software control (16F) which comprises computer software ON/OFF control (16FG) and a computer software print control (16FH).

Claims

1. An inventory control system for use in moving household furnishings comprising:

a) a portable computer having a fixed pre-existing display of a listing of articles of furnishings including for each article, means for entering information relating to damage, quantity of the article, and other information with regard to the articles being moved;

b) said display also including means for entering information with regard to pick up and delivery of said articles;

c) stylus means attached to said portable computer for engaging said means for entering information for entering said information about said articles; and

d) a printer attached to said portable computer for printing out on command on a sheet a copy of the display on said portable computer with the information about said articles entered thereon.

2. The inventory control system of claim 1 in which said portable computer comprises a rectangular shaped housing with said display a front side, said stylus means comprising a pen-like member connected by a cord at one end to said housing and a clip mounted on said front side along one edge of said housing for holding said pen-like member when not in use, a cover for said front side being pivoted along an edge of said housing opposite that of said clip, and said cover having a U-shape at the distal end thereof for enclosing said clip with pen-like member when said portable computer is not in use and said cover is closed.

3. The method of tracking household furnishings during a move comprising the steps of:

a) making an inventory of the articles being moved by using a stylus to enter into a portable computer having a fixed pre-existing display of a list of usual articles of household furnishings the information for each of said articles relating to damage, quantity of the article, and other information, said portable computer having said stylus removably mounted on the front of said computer and a pivoted cover to enclose said portable computer and stylus when not in use;

b) entering information with regard to pick up and delivery of said articles; and

c) using a printer attached to said portable computer for printing out on command on a sheet said inventory being a copy of the display on said portable computer with the information about said articles entered thereon.