Targeted product distribution system and method

• US 8,086,345 B2
• Filed: 01/22/2009
• Issued: 12/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Walgreen Co. (Walgreens Boots Alliance Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Walgreen Co. (Walgreens Boots Alliance Incorporated)
• Inventors: Pandit, Vinayak, Amend, Brian, Chin, Louie, Elliott, Jeffrey, Emery, Kathy, Hasija, Gaurav, Isidoro, Maureen, Ng, Lionel, Peterson, Doug, Steffen, Todd, Sullivan, Patrick
• Primary Examiner(s): Crawford, Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cumbess, Yolanda
• Application Number:
  US12/358,199
• Publication Number:
  US 20090234495A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,069 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 700/217
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 1/0485 Check-in, check-out devices
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 1/1371 with data records
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 1/1373 for fulfilling orders in warehouses
• 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

Abstract

A targeted product distribution system is described herein with respect to an exemplary management of product flow through a distribution center. Specifically, the system and method described herein is directed to the management and display of direct and easily-understood instructions, such that average individuals, as well as those with mental disabilities, will be able to contribute equally to the overall process.

Claims

1. A method of stacking multiple objects on a uniform pallet for use in automatically conveying the uniform pallet and respective objects stacked thereon about a distribution center, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a pallet present input signal at a central computer indicating that an empty pallet is present at a workstation;

transmitting from the central computer a first conveying signal for conveying the empty pallet on to a lift;

transmitting from the central computer a second conveying signal for conveying the objects to the workstation;

receiving scanned object identifier information originating from an object identifier located on at least one of the objects;

storing the scanned object identifier information in a database associated with the central computer;

determining at the central computer instructions to transmit from the central computer to a monitor located at the workstation, the instructions comprising a proper method, order and orientation of manually stacking the objects on the empty pallet, based on information in the database;

transmitting from the central computer the instructions to the monitor located at the workstation;

displaying the instructions on the monitor for an operator to follow;

receiving at the central computer a confirmation signal from the workstation that the instructions have been implemented; and

transmitting a third conveying signal for conveying the pallet stacked with objects away from the workstation.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of receiving a signal from an input device proximate the workstation indicating whether dimensions of the stacked objects fall outside of predetermined height, width and weight parameters for the pallet stacked with objects.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the instructions are only text.

4. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the instructions are only graphics.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the instructions are only pictures without text.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of displaying on the touch-screen monitor only graphics representing the type of products received, graphics indicating what actions are to be taken with the products, graphics indicating an order in which the products are to be stacked on the pallet, an error button, a button to lower the lift, an exception button, a completed button, and the instructions.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the workstation comprises a remote computer connected to the central computer.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the workstation further comprises a handheld scanner, a bed scanner, a keyboard and a touch-screen monitor, wherein each of the handheld scanner, the bed scanner, the keyboard and the touch-screen monitor are connected to the remote computer.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the object identifier information is received through the handheld scanner or the bed scanner.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the lift is a scissors lift.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of lowering the lift from an initial height to a predetermined distance based on at least one dimension of the objects.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of receiving a lowering signal indicating when the lift should be lowered.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of raising the lift to the initial height prior to conveying the pallet stacked with objects away from the workstation.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of confirming that the product identifier information accurately identifies the objects.

15. The method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

receiving a training signal at the central computer indicating that a training mode has been entered into at the workstation;

transmitting a second set of instructions from the central computer to the workstation for display on the touch-screen monitor;

receiving at the central computer inputs from a user indicating various actions that have been taken with the products;

comparing the inputs received from the user with predetermined comparison data stored in the database at the central computer;

determining whether the correct actions were taken with respect to the products based on a comparison of the inputs with the predetermined comparison data stored in the database;

transmitting a results signal to the workstation indicating whether the actions taken were correct; and

receiving a completed signal at the central computer, indicating that the correct actions were taken with the products.

16. The method as set forth in claim 15, wherein the products are conveyed away from the workstation only after the completed signal has been received.

17. The method as set forth in claim 16, wherein a supervisor enters the release signal after confirming that the correct actions have been taken with the products.

18. A method of stacking multiple objects on a uniform pallet for use in automatically conveying the uniform pallet and respective objects stacked thereon about a distribution center, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a pallet present input signal at a central computer indicating that an empty pallet is present at a workstation;

transmitting from the central computer a first conveying signal for conveying the empty pallet on to a lift;

transmitting from the central computer a second conveying signal for conveying the objects to the workstation;

receiving scanned object identifier information originating from an object identifier located on at least one of the objects;

confirming that the product identifier information accurately identifies the objects;

storing the scanned object identifier information in a database associated with the central computer;

determining at the central computer instructions to transmit from the central computer to a monitor located at the workstation, the instructions comprising a proper method, order and orientation of manually stacking the objects on the empty pallet, based on information in the database;

transmitting from the central computer the instructions to the monitor located at the workstation;

displaying the instructions on the monitor for an operator to follow;

receiving at the central computer a confirmation signal from the workstation that the instructions have been implemented;

receiving a lowering signal indicating that the lift should be lowered;

lowering the lift from an initial height to a predetermined distance based on at least one dimension of the objects;

raising the lift to the initial height prior to conveying the pallet stacked with objects away from the workstation;

receiving a signal from an input device proximate the workstation indicating whether dimensions of the stacked objects fall outside of predetermined height, width and weight parameters for a pallet stacked with objects; and

transmitting a third conveying signal for conveying the pallet stacked with objects away from the workstation.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the instructions are only text.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the instructions are only graphics.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the instructions are only pictures without text.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein the workstation comprises a remote computer connected to the central computer.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the workstation further comprises a handheld scanner, a bed scanner, a keyboard and a touch-screen monitor, wherein each of the handheld scanner, the bed scanner, the keyboard and the touch-screen monitor are connected to the remote computer.