Targeted product distribution system and method

• US 8,155,783 B2
• Filed: 01/22/2009
• Issued: 04/10/2012
• 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 RENEE
• Application Number:
  US12/358,185
• Publication Number:
  US 20090276081A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,174 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 700/225
• 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 correcting errors associated with a pallet provided for carrying objects, to allow automatic conveyance of the pallet and objects throughout a distribution center, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving an error signal at a central computer indicating that an error is associated with a pallet that will prevent the pallet from being automatically conveyed about the distribution center;

storing information related to the pallet and the error associated therewith in a database associated with the central computer;

transmitting from the central computer a first conveying signal for diverting the pallet from a normal workflow and conveying the pallet to a workstation for correction of the error;

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

storing the pallet identifier information in the database associated with the central computer;

determining at the central computer a first set of instructions to transmit to the touch-screen monitor associated with the workstation and in communication with the central computer, the first set of instructions comprising a proper method of correcting the error associated with the pallet, based on information in the database;

transmitting the first set of instructions to the touch-screen monitor for displaying the first set of instructions on the touch-screen monitor;

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

updating the database with correction information including information relating to the correction of the error; and

transmitting from the central computer a second conveying signal for conveying the pallet back to the normal workflow within the distribution center.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the workstation comprises a remote computer connected to the central computer, and wherein the handheld scanner, the bed scanner, the keyboard and/or the touch-screen monitor are 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 title readout, a pallet information window, a message window, a source pallet complete button, a view pallet information button, a change license plate button, a mismatch item button, an enter item details button, a logout button, a send button, and the first set of instructions in the message window.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of confirming that the pallet identifier information accurately identifies and describes the pallet and the objects stacked thereon.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of automatic scanners and scales distributed throughout the distribution center, wherein each of the plurality of scanners and scales is connected to the central computer, and wherein each of the plurality of scanners and scales are configured to send a signal to the central computer indicating that an error is associated with a pallet.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of correcting the error associated with the pallet.

12. 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 the user indicating various actions that have been taken with the objects;

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 objects 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 objects.

13. The method as set forth in claim 12, wherein the objects are conveyed away from the workstation only after the completed signal has been received.

14. The method as set forth in claim 12, wherein a supervisor enters a release signal after confirming that the correct actions have been taken with the objects.

15. A method of correcting errors associated with a pallet provided for carrying objects, to allow automatic conveyance of the pallet and objects throughout a distribution center, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving an error signal at a central computer indicating that an error is associated with a pallet that will prevent the pallet from being automatically conveyed about the distribution center;

storing information related to the pallet and the error associated therewith in a database associated with the central computer;

transmitting from the central computer a first conveying signal for diverting the pallet from a normal workflow and conveying the pallet to a workstation for correction of the error;

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

confirming that the pallet identifier information accurately identifies and describes the pallet and the objects stacked thereon;

storing the pallet identifier information in the database associated with the central computer;

determining at the central computer a first set of instructions to transmit to the touch-screen monitor associated with the workstation and in communication with the central computer, the first set of instructions comprising a proper method of correcting the error associated with the pallet, based on information in the database;

transmitting the first set of instructions to the touch-screen monitor for displaying the first set of instructions on the touch-screen monitor;

correcting the error associated with the pallet based on the information contained in the first set of instructions;

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

updating the database with correction information including information relating to the correction of the error; and

transmitting from the central computer a second conveying signal for conveying the pallet back to the normal workflow within the distribution center.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the workstation comprises a remote computer connected to the central computer, and wherein the handheld scanner, the bed scanner, the keyboard and/or the touch-screen monitor are connected to the remote computer.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the first set of instructions are only text.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the first set of instructions are only graphics.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the first set of instructions are only pictures without text.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the first set of instructions are a combination of graphics and text.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein the first set of instructions are a combination of pictures and text.