Targeted product distribution system and method

• US 8,219,241 B2
• Filed: 01/22/2009
• Issued: 07/10/2012
• 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
• Application Number:
  US12/358,210
• Publication Number:
  US 20090234494A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,265 Days
• Field of Search: 700/213, 700/222, 700/230, 700/216
• US Class Current: 700/214
• 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 selecting products from a plurality of storage areas and shipping the selected products from a distribution center, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving at a central computer a request, from a store, for product;

generating at the central computer a pick list, comprising a catalog of the products that have been requested by the store and a location for each of the products within the storage areas, wherein the pick list is generated based on information that is stored in a database associated with the central computer;

transmitting the pick list from the central computer to at least one storage area;

receiving a first signal at the central computer indicating that the requested products have been retrieved from storage;

transmitting from the central computer a first conveying signal to convey the retrieved products to a shipping station;

receiving a second signal at the central computer indicating that the retrieved products have arrived at the shipping station;

generating at the central computer a first set of instructions to transmit to a device, the first set of instructions comprising a proper method, order and orientation of manually loading the retrieved products on a truck, based on information in the database;

transmitting from the central computer the first set of instructions to the device;

receiving at the central computer a confirmation signal indicating that the retrieved products have been loaded on to the truck; and

updating the database to reflect which products have been loaded onto the truck,

wherein the first set of instructions includes instructions to arrange the retrieved products in an outline on a floor of the distribution center prior to loading the retrieved products on the truck to confirm that the retrieved products will fit in the truck.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the device is a portable scanning device, comprising a display screen.

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, wherein the outline is the same length and width as the truck.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of retrieving the products from the plurality of storage areas as indicated by the pick list.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of placing the retrieved products in a conveyance apparatus.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the conveyance apparatus is a product transport tub.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of loading the retrieved products on the truck in the manner prescribed by the first set of instructions.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of conveying the retrieved products from the shipping station to a loading area.

14. 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 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.

15. The method as set forth in claim 14, wherein the products are conveyed away from the workstation only after the completed signal has been received.

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

17. A method of selecting products from a plurality of storage areas and shipping the selected products from a distribution center, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving at a central computer a request, from a store, for product;

generating at the central computer a pick list, comprising a catalog of the products that have been requested by the store and a location for each of the products within the storage areas, wherein the pick list is generated based on information that is stored in a database associated with the central computer;

transmitting the pick list from the central computer to at least one storage area;

retrieving the products from the plurality of storage areas as indicated by the pick list;

receiving a first signal at the central computer indicating that the requested products have been retrieved from storage;

transmitting from the central computer a first conveying signal to convey the retrieved products to a shipping station;

receiving a second signal at the central computer indicating that the retrieved products have arrived at the shipping station;

generating at the central computer a first set of instructions to transmit to a device, the first set of instructions comprising a proper method, order and orientation of manually loading the retrieved products on a truck, based on information in the database;

transmitting from the central computer the first set of instructions to the device;

conveying the retrieved products from the shipping station to a loading area;

arranging the retrieved products in an outline on a floor of the distribution center as prescribed by the first set of instructions to confirm that the retrieved products will fit in the truck prior to loading the retrieved products on the truck;

loading the retrieved products on the truck in the manner prescribed by the first set of instructions;

receiving at the central computer a confirmation signal indicating that the retrieved products have been loaded on to the truck; and

updating the database to reflect which products have been loaded onto the truck.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the device is a portable scanning device, comprising a display screen.

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

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the first set of instructions are only graphics.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the first set of instructions are only pictures without text.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein the first set of instructions are a combination of graphics and text.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein the first set of instructions are a combination of pictures and text.