Targeted product distribution system and method

• US 8,086,347 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:
  US12/358,207
• Publication Number:
  US 20090216370A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,069 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 700/227
• 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 labeling products with radio frequency identifier (RFID) labels for remote location within a distribution center, the method comprising the steps of:

determining at a central computer which products are to be labeled with RFID labels based on predetermined parameters associated with the products, the predetermined parameters being inputted and stored within a database associated with the central computer;

transmitting from the central computer a first conveying signal for diverting the products to be labeled with RFID labels from a normal workflow, and conveying diverted products to an RFID labeling workstation;

receiving object identifier information originating from an object identifier located on the products from at least one of a bed scanner, a handheld scanner, a touch-screen monitor and a keyboard;

storing the object identifier information in the database;

determining at the central computer a first set of instructions to transmit to the touch-screen monitor, the first set of instructions comprising a number of products to receive RFID labels, a proper manner of affixing the RFID labels to the products, and a proper location on the products to affix the RFID labels;

transmitting from the central computer the first set of instructions for displaying the first set of instructions on the touch-screen monitor;

receiving at the central computer a confirmation signal that the labeling is complete; and

transmitting a second conveying signal from the central computer for conveying the product away from the workstation.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the RFID labeling workstation comprises a remote computer connected to the central computer, and wherein the handheld scanner, the bed scanner, the keyboard and the touch-screen monitor are all connected to the remote computer.

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

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first set of instructions are only graphics.

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

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first set of instructions are a combination of graphics and text.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first set of instructions are a combination of pictures and text.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of displaying on the touch-screen monitor only a tub complete button, a damaged product button, a tub hospital button, a logout button, a title and the first set of instructions in at least one of a first and/or a second information window.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of verifying that there are no errors associated with the products.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein an error message is sent to the central computer if there is an error associated with any of the products.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the products are located in a product transport tub.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the products are located in a case.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of affixing labels according to the first set of instructions.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined parameters comprise type, price or percentage of a product.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein a percentage of the products are labeled with an RFID label.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the percentage is less than 100%.

17. The method of 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 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 various actions taken were correct; and

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

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the products are conveyed away from the workstation only after the completed signal has been received.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein a supervisor initiates a release signal after confirming that correct actions have been taken with the products.

20. A method of labeling products with radio frequency identifier (RFID) labels for remote location within a distribution center, the method comprising the steps of:

determining at a central computer which products are to be labeled with RFID labels based on predetermined parameters associated with the products, the predetermined parameters being inputted and stored within a database associated with the central computer;

transmitting from the central computer a first conveying signal for diverting the products to be labeled with RFID labels from a normal workflow, and conveying diverted products to an RFID labeling workstation;

receiving object identifier information originating from an object identifier located on the products from at least one of a bed scanner, a handheld scanner, a touch-screen monitor and a keyboard;

storing the object identifier information in the database;

determining at the central computer a first set of instructions to transmit to the touch-screen monitor, the first set of instructions comprising a number of products to receive RFID labels, a proper manner of affixing the RFID labels to the products, and proper location on the products to affix the RFID labels;

transmitting from the central computer the first set of instructions for displaying the first set of instructions on the touch-screen monitor;

affixing labels according to the first set of instructions;

receiving at the central computer a confirmation signal that the labeling is complete;

verifying that there are no errors associated with the products, wherein an error message is sent to the central computer if there is an error associated with any of the products; and

transmitting a second conveying signal from the central computer for conveying the product away from the workstation.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the RFID labeling workstation comprises a remote computer connected to the central computer, and wherein the handheld scanner, the bed scanner, the keyboard and the touch-screen monitor are all connected to the remote computer.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the first set of instructions are only text.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the first set of instructions are only graphics.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein the first set of instructions are only pictures without text.

25. The method of claim 20, wherein the first set of instructions are a combination of graphics and text.

26. The method of claim 20, wherein the first set of instructions are a combination of pictures and text.