Bulk inventory network system

• US 7,228,199 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2002
• Issued: 06/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Quality Carriers Incorporated (CSX Corporation)
• Original Assignee: JP Donmoyer Incorporated (J.P. Donmoyer)
• Inventors: Wallace, David B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hartman, Jr.; Ronald D
• Application Number:
  US10/085,396
• Publication Number:
  US 20020082735A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,923 Days
• Field of Search: 705/22, 705/16, 702/188, 340989-990, 700/236, 700/9
• US Class Current: 700/236
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/00 Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/203 Inventory monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

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 from the manufacturing plant.

Claims

1. A method for a transportation carrier to maintain sufficient quantities of dry bulk materials at a remote manufacturing site comprising:

generating a first signal representative of an existing dry bulk material quantity at a remote site;

transmitting a second signal corresponding to said first signal, from said remote site to at least one of a local computer and a central computer at predetermined time intervals;

determining said existing dry bulk material quantity and projected material usage rate for said existing dry bulk material quantity based on said transmitted signals;

automatically ordering additional dry bulk materials from a preselected vendor by said at least one of a local computer and a central computer based on said existing material quantity and said projected material usage rate;

automatically directing a transport vehicle to deliver said additional dry bulk material from said preselected vendor to said manufacturing site; and

transporting said additional dry bulk material from said preselected vendor to said manufacturing site,

whereby additional dry bulk material is supplied to said manufacturing site before said existing dry bulk material is depleted.

2. A method for a transportation carrier to maintain sufficient quantities of dry bulk materials at a remote manufacturing site comprising:

generating a first signal representative of an existing dry bulk material quantity at a remote site;

transmitting a second signal corresponding to said first signal, from said remote site to at least one of a local computer and a central computer at predetermined time intervals;

determining said existing dry bulk material quantity and projected material usage rate for said existing dry bulk material quantity based on said transmitted signals;

automatically ordering additional dry bulk materials from a preselected vendor by said at least one of a local computer and a central computer based on said existing material quantity and said projected material usage rate;

automatically directing a transport vehicle to deliver said additional dry bulk material from said preselected vendor to said manufacturing site; and

transporting said additional dry bulk material from said preselected vendor to said manufacturing site,

whereby additional dry bulk material is supplied to said manufacturing site before said existing dry bulk material is depleted; and

producing at least one of an audible and a visual alarm, via said central computer, if said material level falls below a predetermined level.

3. A method for a transportation carrier to maintain sufficient quantities of dry bulk materials at a remote manufacturing site comprising:

generating a first signal representative of an existing dry bulk material quantity at a remote site using one of an ultrasonic and a strain gauge detector to generate said first signal;

transmitting a second signal corresponding to said first signal, from said remote site to at least one of a local computer and a central computer at predetermined time intervals;

determining said existing dry bulk material quantity and projected material usage rate for said existing dry bulk material quantity based on said transmitted signals;

automatically ordering additional dry bulk materials from a preselected vendor by said at least one of a local computer and a central computer based on said existing material quantity and said projected material usage rate;

automatically directing a transport vehicle to deliver said additional dry bulk material from said preselected vendor to said manufacturing site; and

transporting said additional dry bulk material from said preselected vendor to said manufacturing site,

whereby additional dry bulk material is supplied to said manufacturing site before said existing dry bulk material is depleted.