Targeted product distribution system and method

• US 8,290,614 B2
• Filed: 01/22/2009
• Issued: 10/16/2012
• 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): Jones, Yolanda
• Application Number:
  US12/358,167
• Publication Number:
  US 20090276084A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,363 Days
• Field of Search: 700/213, 700/222, 700/230, 700/216
• US Class Current: 700/222
• 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 identifying and correcting errors associated with a case for holding products to allow automatic conveyance of the case throughout a distribution center, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a signal at a central computer indicating that an error is associated with the case that will prevent the case from being automatically conveyed about the distribution center, wherein a touch-screen monitor is in communication with the central computer;

storing information related to the case 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 case from a normal workflow and conveying the case to a workstation for correction of the error;

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

storing the object 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 case, based on information in the database;

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

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

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

transmitting a second conveying signal from the central computer for conveying the case 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 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 title readout, a case information area, an instruction area, a message window, a logout button, a lane complete button, an item ok button, a damaged item button, a dirty tub button, a damaged tub button, a tub hospital button, a refresh button, a mismatch item button, a carrier information 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 object identifier information accurately identifies and describes the case.

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

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

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 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.

13. The method as set forth in claim 12, wherein the products 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 the release signal after confirming that the correct actions have been taken with the products.

15. A method of identifying and correcting errors associated with a case to allow automatic conveyance of the case throughout a distribution center, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a signal at a central computer indicating that an error is associated with the case that will prevent the case from being automatically conveyed about the distribution center, wherein a touch-screen monitor is in communication with the central computer;

storing information related to the case 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 case from a normal workflow and conveying the case to a workstation for correction of the error;

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

confirming that the object identifier information accurately identifies and describes the cases;

storing the object 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 case, based on information in the database;

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

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

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

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

transmitting a second conveying signal from the central computer for conveying the case 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 the touch-screen monitor are all 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.