Tool having an integral system for remotely ordering inventory

• US 8,082,181 B2
• Filed: 01/21/2005
• Issued: 12/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Original Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Inventors: Panasik, Cheryl L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gart, Matthew
• Assistant Examiner(s): IWARERE, OLUSEYE
• Application Number:
  US11/040,978
• Publication Number:
  US 20060167770A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,524 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26, 705/28, 705/1, 705/1.1
• US Class Current: 705/26.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]

Abstract

A host tool having an integral system for ordering inventory from an inventory order interface has a processing unit, a location provider and a remote connector. The location provider is configured to selectively provide the location of the host tool to the processing unit, while the remote connector is configured to establish a remote connection between the processing unit and an inventory order interface of the supplier of the inventory. A customer identification card having order information is selectively connected to the host tool. When the card is connected, the information is read by and transmitted from the host tool to the inventory order interface through the remote connector. The processing unit is configured to interface location information from the location provider, payment information and order information from the customer identification card, through the remote connector, to place an order for inventory at the inventory order interface.

Claims

1. A wireless system of a host power tool that uses consumables, the system for ordering replacement consumables from an inventory order interface, the system comprising:

a processing unit integral with the host power tool;

a location provider configured to selectively provide the location of the host power tool to said processing unit;

a remote connector configured to establish a remote connection between said processing unit and an inventory order interface; and

a customer identification card in selective communication with the host power tool by the user, and having order information including a predetermined order quantity of consumables, said order information to be read by the host power tool through said selective communication, and wherein said information is automatically transmitted from the host power tool to said inventory order interface through said remote connector without input from the user apart from said selective communication of said customer identification card with the host power tool;

wherein said processing unit is configured to interface information from said location provider and said customer identification card through said remote connector to automatically place an order for the consumables of the host power tool at the inventory order interface;

wherein the consumables are fasteners to be driven by the host power tool.

2. The wireless system of claim 1 further comprising a location bypass switch on said host power tool, wherein when the location bypass is not switched on, the consumables are automatically ordered for delivery to the location of the host power tool as provided by said location provider, and when said location bypass is switched on, the location bypass is configured to selectively override said location provider from providing the location of the host power tool to said processing unit, and to further provide a default location to said processing unit to deliver the consumables.

3. The wireless system of claim 1 wherein said remote connector is a cellular card that is capable of connecting to the Internet to access the inventory order interface.

4. The wireless system of claim 1 wherein said remote site connector is a standard Internet connection to the inventory order interface.

5. The wireless system of claim 1 wherein said remote site connector is a direct modem connection to the inventory order interface.

6. The wireless system of claim 1 further comprising a customer identification card reader disposed on the tool for reading and transmitting said order information to said processing unit.

7. The wireless system of claim 6 wherein said selective connection of said customer identification card to the host power tool occurs by the magnetic connection of said customer identification card in said customer identification card reader.

8. A method for ordering consumables from a remote inventory order interface using a host power tool that uses the consumables, the host power tool having a customer identification card reader, the method comprising the steps of:

providing power to the host power tool;

placing a customer identification card in communication with the customer identification card reader disposed in the host power tool to transmit order information to the host power tool, wherein the order information is stored on said customer identification card and said order information includes a predetermined order quantity;

after the order information from the customer identification card has been communicated to the host power tool, the host power tool automatically establishes a connection between the host power tool and the remote inventory order interface; and

the host power tool automatically transmits the order information from the host power tool to the inventory order interface to order consumables with no input by the user apart from said communication of said customer identification card with the host power tool;

wherein the consumables are fasteners to be driven by the host power tool.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the customer identification card is swiped through said customer identification card reader.

10. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of the host power tool automatically providing location information from a location provider disposed in the host power tool and transmitting said location information to the inventory order interface for delivery of the consumables to the location of the host power tool.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of selectively bypassing said location provider from providing said location information of the host power tool, and providing a default location to said processing unit for delivery of the consumables.

12. A method for ordering consumables from a remote inventory order interface using a host power tool that uses the consumables, the host power tool having a customer identification card reader, the method comprising the steps of:

placing a customer identification card in communication with the customer identification card reader disposed in the host power tool to transmit order information stored on the customer identification card including a predetermined order quantity of consumables to the host power tool;

after the order information from the customer identification card has been communicated to the host power tool, the host power tool automatically establishes a connection between the host power tool and the remote inventory order interface;

the host power tool automatically transmits the order information from the host power tool to the inventory order interface;

automatically providing location information from a location provider disposed in the host power tool and transmitting said location information to the inventory order interface for delivery of the consumables to the location of the host power tool; and

selectively bypassing said location provider from providing said location information of the host power tool, and providing a default location to said processing unit for delivery of the consumables

wherein the consumables are fasteners to be driven by the host power tool.