Inventory control system and methods

• US 6,996,538 B2
• Filed: 03/07/2001
• Issued: 02/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Unisone Strategic IP Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Unisone Corporation (Michael T. Lucas)
• Inventors: Lucas, Michael T.
• Primary Examiner(s): McAllister, Steven B.
• Application Number:
  US09/799,879
• Publication Number:
  US 20010051905A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,798 Days
• Field of Search: 705/2, 705/29, 705/28
• US Class Current: 705/28
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• 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 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0613 Third-party assisted

Abstract

A system and method which allows third-parties to monitor company inventory via the Internet and World Wide Web (“web”) and automatically order needed items. The present invention also provides a forum through which resellers and customers may directly interact to resell surplus and used equipment. The present invention may also allow a third party to act as a broker, thereby assuring that both the equipment purchased is actually delivered, and that the seller is properly compensated.

Claims

1. An inventory management system, comprising the following elements, operably connected:

(a) at least one computer having at least one storage medium;

(b) one or more databases residing on said at least one storage medium, in which at least the following data is stored;

(1) customer inventory information,

(2) inventory and cost information for a plurality of manufacturers, suppliers, or distributors

(3) inventory restocking parameters provided by said customer; and

(c) client software residing on said at least one storage medium providing an interface to said one or more database(s), wherein the client software identifies users and allows users to be classified into groups, and wherein permissions or roles are assigned to such groups, and wherein;

(i) said software evaluates said customer inventory information and iventory or cost information for a plurality of manufacturers, suppliers, or distributors in light of said restocking parameters provided by said customer,

(ii) said software automatically orders manufacturer, supplier, or distributor inventory which best fulfills said inventory restocking parameters provided by said customer in light of said evaluation,

(iii) said software tracks inventory items in said databases for (1) said customer and (2) said manufacturer, supplier, or distributor, as inventory items are added to, restocked to, or removed from said inventories,

wherein said tracking is executed by detecting an RFID tag associated with each said inventory item,

(iv) said software updates said data on said one or more databases through at least one software interface to said databases; and

(v) said software provides an interface through which said customer, manufacturer, supplier, or distributor can access the information in said one or more databases according to said assigned permissions or roles.

2. The inventory management system of claim 1, wherein said client software additionally forecasts the inventory needs of said customer, manufacturer, supplier, or distributor based on inventory usage, or inventory availability trends, or both,

wherein said evaluation of customer inventory information and manufacturer, supplier, or distributor inventory and cost information is executed in light of said restocking parameters provided by said customer and said forecast inventory needs.

3. The inventory management system of claim 1, wherein said client software monitors inventory levels and reports anticipated shortages.

4. The inventory management system of claim 1, wherein said client software monitors inventory levels and generates orders to cover anticipated shortages.

5. The inventory management system of claim 1, wherein said client software allows users to order new inventory items or to supplement inventory when desired.

6. The inventory management system of claim 1, wherein said customer inventory information is collected and stored for multiple customer business sites or for multiple customers, and wherein inventory restocking parameters provided by said customer are collected and stored for each said customer.

7. The inventory management system of claim 1, wherein said inventory and cost information is collected and stored for multiple manufacturers, suppliers, or distributors.

8. The inventory management system of claim 1, wherein said step of updating takes place in real time.

9. The inventory management system of claim 1, wherein said detecting of an RFID tag associated with each said inventory item is executed by one or more REID readers.

10. The inventory management system of claim 1, wherein said REID tag is read by a hand held electronic device.

11. The inventory management system of claim 1, wherein said RFID tag is read by an electronic portal device.

12. The inventory management system of claim 1, wherein said client software permits registration and removal of individual users, and modification of user information.

13. The inventory management system of claim 1, wherein said client software allows inventory items to be grouped, allows restrictions to be placed on distribution of such inventory items, permits recording of information when an inventory item belonging to a group is dispensed, and allows printing of inventory item specific information for inclusion with each inventory item removed from inventory.

14. The inventory management system of claim 1, wherein said client software allows users to specify a price for goods for sale within an inventory.

15. The inventory management system of claim 1, wherein a user of the computer program is identified via an optical reader which can read specially coded information on a person.

16. The inventory management system of claim 1, wherein a user of the computer program is identified via an electronic device for scanning wirelessly accessible identifiers associated with a person.

17. The inventory management system of claim 1, wherein a user of the computer program is identified via a biometric identification device.

18. The inventory management system of claim 1, wherein said client software provides an interface through which inventory item identity information can be entered in an automated manner.

19. A method for inventory management, comprising the steps of:

(a) collecting and storing, on one or more databases having client software, at least the following data;

(1) customer inventory information

(2) inventory and cost information for a plurality of manufacturers, suppliers, or distributors, and

(3) inventory restocking parameters provided by said customer;

(b) evaluating via at least one computer said customer inventory information and inventory or cost information for a plurality of manufacturers, suppliers, or distributors inventory or cost information for a plurality of users selected from the group consisting of customers, manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors in light of said restocking parameters provided by said customer;

(c) ordering manufacturer, supplier, or distributor inventory which best fulfills said inventory restocking parameters provided by said customer;

(d) tracking inventory items in said databases for (1) said customer and (2) said manufacturer, supplier, or distributor, as inventory items are added to, restocked to, or removed from said inventories,

wherein said tracking step is executed by detecting an RFID tag associated with each said inventory item;

(e) updating said data on said one or more databases, using information obtained in said inventory tracking step, through at least one software interface to said databases; and

(f) providing access via client software to information in said one or more databases to each said customer, manufacturer, supplier, or distributor,

wherein said client software allows one or more customers, manufacturers, suppliers, or distributors to be classified into groups, and where permissions or roles are assigned to such groups.

20. The method of claim 19, comprising the additional step of forecasting the inventory needs of customers, manufacturers, suppliers, or distributors based on inventory usage or inventory availability trends,

wherein said step of evaluating said customer inventory information and said manufacturer, supplier, or distributor inventory and cost information is executed in light of said restocking parameters provided by said customer and said forecast inventory needs.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein said step of ordering is completed automatically based upon the evaluation of said customer inventory information and said manufacturer, supplier, or distributor inventory and cost information, in light of said restocking parameters provided by said customer.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein said method comprises the additional step of forecasting inventory usage or inventory availability for each said customer, manufacturer, supplier, and distributor, based upon said customer, manufacturer, supplier, or distributor information.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein said client software monitors inventory levels and reports anticipated shortages.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein said client software monitors inventory levels and generates orders to cover anticipated shortages.

25. The method of claim 19, wherein said client software allows users to order Previously presented inventory items or to supplement inventory when desired.

26. The method of claim 19, wherein said customer inventory information is collected and stored for multiple customer business sites or for multiple customers, and wherein inventory restocking parameters provided by said customer are collected and stored for each said customer.

27. The method of claim 19, wherein said inventory and cost information is collected and stored for multiple manufacturers, suppliers, or distributors.

28. The method of claim 19, wherein said step of updating takes place in real time.

29. The method of claim 19, wherein said RFID tag is read by a hand held electronic device.

30. The method of claim 19, wherein said RFID tag is read by an electronic portal device.

31. The method of claim 19, comprising the additional step of providing a software interface through which inventory item identity information can be entered in an automated manner.

49. The method of claim 19, comprising the additional step of identifying specially coded information on an object or a person via an optical reader.

50. The method of claim 19, comprising the additional step of identifying a wirelessly accessible identifier associated with an object or a person via an electronic device for scanning wirelessly accessible identifiers.

51. The method of claim 19, comprising the additional step of identifying a user of the computer program via a biometric identification device.

32. A computer program product for managing customer inventory, comprising program instructions stored on at least one computer readable storage medium which when executed causes a computer to:

(a) access from one or more databases, at least the following stored data;

(1) customer inventory information,

(2) inventory and cost information for a plurality of manufacturers, suppliers, or distributors, and

(3) inventory restocking parameters provided by said customer;

(b) evaluate said customer inventory information and inventory or cost information for a plurality of manufacturers, suppliers, or distributors in light of said restocking parameters provided by said customer;

(c) order manufacturer, supplier, or distributor inventory which best fulfills said inventory restocking parameters provided by each said customer;

(d) track inventory items for (1) each customer and (2) each manufacturer, supplier, or distributor, as inventory items are added to, restocked to, or removed from inventory,

wherein said tracking step is executed by detecting an RFID tag associated with each said inventory item and by updating said databases through at least one software interface to said databases;

(e) update said data on said one or more databases; and

(f) provide access to the information in said one or more databases to said customer, manufacturer, supplier, or distributor,

wherein said computer program product allows customers, manufacturers, suppliers, or distributors to be classified into groups, and where permissions or roles are assigned to such groups.

33. The computer program product of claim 32, further comprising program instructions for allowing the forecasting of inventory needs of said customer, manufacturer supplier, or distributor based on inventory usage or inventory availability trends,

wherein said evaluation of customer inventory information and manufacturer, supplier, or distributor inventory and cost information is executed in light of said restocking parameters provided by said customer and said forecast inventory needs.

34. The computer program product of claim 32, further comprising program instructions for:

(1) monitoring inventory levels; and

(2) reporting anticipated shortages.

35. The computer program product of claim 32, further comprising program instructions for:

(1) monitoring inventory levels; and

(2) generating orders to cover anticipated shortages.

36. The computer program product of claim 32, further comprising program instructions for allowing users to order Previously presented inventory items or to supplement inventory when desired.

37. The computer program product of claim 32, further comprising program instructions wherein said step of ordering is completed automatically based upon the evaluation of said customer inventory information and said manufacturer, supplier, or distributor inventory and cost information in light of said restocking parameters provided by said customer.

38. The computer program product of claim 32, further comprising program instructions for allowing said step of updating to take place in real time.

39. The computer program product of claim 32, further comprising program instructions for permitting access to the information in said one or more databases, according to said assigned roles or permissions, to a user of the computer program identified via an optical reader which can read specially coded information on a person.

40. The computer program product of claim 32, further comprising program instructions for permitting access to the information in said one or more databases, according to said assigned roles or permissions, to a user of the computer program identified via an electronic device for scanning wirelessly accessible identifiers associated with a person.

41. The computer program product of claim 32, further comprising program instructions for permitting access to the information in said one or more databases, according to said assigned roles or permissions, to a user of the computer program identified via a biometric identification device.

42. The computer program product of claim 32, further comprising program instructions for enabling registration and removal of individual users of the computer program product and modification of user information.

43. The computer program product of claim 32, further comprising program instructions for performing administrative functions.

44. The computer program product of claim 32, further comprising program instructions for:

(1) allowing inventory items to be grouped into classifications;

(2) allowing restrictions to be placed on distribution of such inventory items;

(3) permitting recording of information when individual inventory items or inventory items belonging to a particular group or set of groups are added to, restocked to, or removed from inventory; and

(4) allowing printing of inventory item specific or group specific labels or information to be included with each inventory item removed from inventory.

45. The computer program product of claim 32, further comprising program instructions for allowing users to specify a price for goods for sale within an inventory.

46. The computer program product of claim 32, further comprising program instructions for allowing detection of an RFID tag associated with each said inventory item to be executed by one or more RFID readers.

47. The computer program product of claim 32, further comprising program instructions for allowing said RFID tag to be read by a hand held electronic device.

48. The computer program product of claim 32, further comprising program instructions for allowing said RFID tag to be read by an electronic portal device.

52. An inventory management system, comprising the following elements, operably connected:

(a) at least one computer having at least one storage medium;

(b) one or more databases residing on said at least one storage medium, in which at least the following data is stored;

(1) customer inventory information,

(2) inventory and cost information for a plurality of manufacturers, suppliers, or distributors, and

(3) inventory restocking parameters provided by said customer; and

(c) client software residing on said at least one storage medium providing an interface to said one or more database(s), wherein the client software identifies users and allows users to be classified into groups, and wherein permissions or roles are assigned to such groups, and wherein;

(i) said software evaluates said customer inventory information and inventory or cost information for a plurality of manufacturers, suppliers, or distributors in light of said restocking parameters provided by said customer,

(ii) said software automatically orders manufacturer, supplier, or distributor inventory which best fulfills said inventory restocking parameters provided by said customer in light of said evaluation,

(iii) said software tracks inventory items in said databases for (1) said customer and (2) said manufacturer, supplier, or distributor, as inventory items are added to, restocked to, or removed from said inventories,

(iv) said software updates said data on said one or more databases through at least one software interface to said databases; and

(v) said software provides an interface through which said customer, manufacturer, supplier, or distributor can access the information in said one or more databases according to said assigned permissions or roles.

53. The inventory management system of claim 52, wherein said client software additionally forecasts the inventory needs of said customer, manufacturer, supplier, or distributor based on inventory usage, or inventory availability trends, or both,

wherein said evaluation of customer inventory information and manufacturer, supplier, or distributor inventory and cost information is executed in light of said restocking parameters provided by said customer and said forecast inventory needs.

54. The inventory management system of claim 52, wherein said client software monitors inventory levels and reports anticipated shortages.

55. The inventory management system of claim 52, wherein said client software monitors inventory levels and generates orders to cover anticipated shortages.

56. The inventory management system of claim 52, wherein said client software allows users to order new inventory items or to supplement inventory when desired.

57. The inventory management system of claim 52, wherein said customer inventory information is collected and stored for multiple customer business sites or for multiple customers, and wherein inventory restocking parameters provided by said customer are collected and stored for each said customer.

58. The inventory management system of claim 52, wherein said inventory and cost information is collected and stored for multiple manufacturers, suppliers, or distributors.

59. The inventory management system of claim 52, wherein said step of updating takes place in real time.

60. The inventory management system of claim 52, wherein said client software permits registration and removal of individual users, and modification of user information.

61. The inventory management system of claim 52, wherein said client software allows inventory items to be grouped, allows restrictions to be placed on distribution of such inventory items, permits recording of information when an inventory item belonging to a group is dispensed, and allows printing of inventory item specific information for inclusion with each inventory item removed from inventory.

62. The inventory management system of claim 52, wherein said client software allows users to specify a price for goods for sale within an inventory.

63. The inventory management system of claim 52, wherein specially coded information on an object or a person is identified via an optical reader.

64. The inventory management system of claim 52, wherein a wirelessly accessible identifier associated with an object or a person is identified via an electronic device for scanning wirelessly accessible identifiers.

65. The inventory management system of claim 52, wherein a user of the computer program is identified via a biometric identification device.

66. The inventory management system of claim 52, wherein said client software provides an interface through which inventory item identity information can be entered in an automated manner.

67. A method for inventory management, comprising the steps of:

(a) collecting and storing, on one or more databases having client software, at least the following data;

(1) customer inventory information,

(2) inventory and cost information for a plurality of manufacturers, suppliers, or distributors, and

(3) inventory restocking parameters provided by said customer;

(b) evaluating via at least one computer said customer inventory information and inventory or cost information for a plurality of manufacturers, suppliers, or distributors in light of said restocking parameters provided by said customer;

(c) ordering manufacturer, supplier, or distributor inventory which best fulfills said inventory restocking parameters provided by said customer;

(d) tracking inventory items in said databases for (1) said customer and (2) said manufacturer, supplier, or distributor, as inventory items are added to, restocked to, or removed from said inventories;

(e) updating said data on said one or more databases, using information obtained in said inventory tracking step, through at least one software interface to said databases; and

(f) providing access via client software to information in said one or more databases to each said customer, manufacturer, supplier, or distributor,

wherein said client software allows one or more customers, manufacturers, suppliers, or distributors to be classified into groups, and where permissions or roles are assigned to such groups.

68. The method of claim 67, comprising the additional step of forecasting the inventory needs of customers, manufacturers, suppliers, or distributors based on inventory usage or inventory availability trends,

wherein said step of evaluating said customer inventory information and said manufacturer, supplier, or distributor inventory and cost information is executed in light of said restocking parameters provided by said customer and said forecast inventory needs.

69. The method of claim 67, wherein said step of ordering is completed automatically based upon the evaluation of said customer inventory information and said manufacturer, supplier, or distributor inventory and cost information, in light of said restocking parameters provided by said customer.

70. The method of claim 67, wherein said method comprises the additional step of forecasting inventory usage or inventory availability for each said customer, manufacturer, supplier, and distributor, based upon said customer, manufacturer, supplier, or distributor information.

71. The method of claim 67, wherein said client software monitors inventory levels and reports anticipated shortages.

72. The method of claim 67, wherein said client software monitors inventory levels and generates orders to cover anticipated shortages.

73. The method of claim 67, wherein said client software allows users to order new inventory items or to supplement inventory when desired.

74. The method of claim 67, wherein said customer inventory information is collected and stored for multiple customer business sites or for multiple customers, and wherein inventory restocking parameters provided by said customer are collected and stored for each said customer.

75. The method of claim 67, wherein said inventory and cost information is collected and stored for multiple manufacturers, suppliers, or distributors.

76. The method of claim 67, wherein said step updating takes place in real time.

77. The method of claim 67, comprising the additional step of providing a software interface through which inventory item identity information can be entered in an automated manner.

78. The method of claim 67, comprising the additional step of identifying specially coded information on an object or a person via an optical reader.

79. The method of claim 67, comprising the additional step of identifying a wirelessly accessible identifier associated with an object or a person via an electronic device for scanning wirelessly accessible identifiers.

80. The method of claim 67, comprising the additional step of identifying a user of the computer program via a biometric identification device.

81. A computer program product for managing customer inventory, comprising program instructions stored on at lest one computer readable storage medium which when executed cause a computer to:

(a) access, from one or more databases, at least the following stored data;

(1) customer inventory information,

(2) inventory and cost information for a plurality of manufacturers, suppliers, or distributors, and

(3) inventory restocking parameters provided by said customer;

(b) evaluate said customer inventory information and inventory or cost information for a plurality of manufacturers, suppliers, or distributors in light of said restocking parameters provided by said customer;

(c) order manufacturer, supplier, or distributor inventory which best fulfills said inventory restocking parameters provided by each said customer;

(d) track inventory items for (1) each customer and (2) each manufacturer, supplier, or distributor, as inventory items are added to, restocked to, or removed from inventory,

wherein said tracking step is executed by detecting each said inventory item and by updating said databases through at least one software interface to said databases;

(e) update said data on said one or more databases; and

(f) provide access to the information in said one or more databases to said customer, manufacturer, supplier, or distributor,

wherein said computer program product allows customers, manufacturers, suppliers, or distributors to be classified into groups, and where permissions or roles are assigned to such groups.

82. The computer program product of claim 81, further comprising program instructions for allowing the forecasting of inventory needs of said customer, manufacturer, supplier, or distributor based on inventory usage or inventory availability trends,

wherein said evaluation of customer inventory information and manufacturer, supplier, or distributor inventory and cost information is executed in light of said restocking parameters provided by said customer and said forecast inventory needs.

83. The computer program product of claim 81, further comprising program instructions for:

(1) monitoring inventory levels; and

(2) reporting anticipated shortages.

84. The computer program product of claim 81, further comprising program instructions for:

(1) monitoring inventory levels; and

(2) generating orders to cover anticipated shortages.

85. The computer program product of claim 81, further comprising program instructions for allowing users to order new inventory items or to supplement inventory when desired.

86. The computer program product of claim 81, further comprising program instructions wherein said step of ordering is completed automatically based upon the evaluation of said customer inventory information and said manufacturer, supplier, or distributor inventory and cost information in light of said restocking parameters provided by said customer.

87. The computer program product of claim 81, further comprising program instructions for allowing said step of updating to take place in real time.

88. The computer program product of claim 81, further comprising program instructions for identifying specially coded information on an object or a person via an optical reader.

89. The computer program product of claim 81, further comprising program instructions for identifying a wirelessly accessible identifier associated with an object or a person, via an electronic device for scanning wirelessly accessible identifiers.

90. The computer program product of claim 81, further comprising program instructions for identifying a user of the computer program via a biometric identification device.

91. The computer program product of claim 81, further comprising program instructions for permitting access to the information in said one or more databases, according to said assigned roles or permissions, to a user of the computer program identified via an electronic device for scanning wirelessly accessible identifiers associated with a person.

92. The computer program product of claim 81, further comprising program instructions for permitting access to the information in said one or more databases, according to said assigned roles or permissions, to a user of the computer program identified via a biometric identification device.

93. The computer program product of claim 81, further comprising program instructions for enabling registration and removal of individual users of the computer program product and modification of user information.

94. The computer program product of claim 81, further comprising program instructions for performing administrative functions.

95. The computer program product of claim 81, further comprising program instructions for:

(1) allowing inventory items to be grouped into classifications;

(2) allowing restrictions to be placed on distribution of such inventory items;

(3) permitting recording of information when individual inventory items or inventory items belonging to a particular group or set of groups are added to, restocked to, or removed from inventory; and

(4) allowing printing of inventory item specific or group specific labels or information to be included with each inventory item removed from inventory.

96. The computer program product of claim 81, further comprising program instructions for allowing users to specify a price for goods for sale within an inventory.