Targeted product distribution system and method

• US 8,340,808 B2
• Filed: 01/22/2009
• Issued: 12/25/2012
• 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): Burgess, Ramya
• Application Number:
  US12/358,134
• Publication Number:
  US 20090276264A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,433 Days
• Field of Search: 700/213, 700/222, 700/230, 700/216
• US Class Current: 700/213
• 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 introducing products from a pallet into an automated distribution system for automatic conveyance about a distribution center, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a signal at a central computer indicating that products to be introduced have arrived at the distribution center;

transmitting from the central computer a first conveying signal for conveying the pallet comprising the products to a check-in workstation for introducing the products into the system;

receiving a pallet present signal at the central computer indicating that the products have arrived at the check-in workstation, wherein a touch-screen monitor associated with the check-in workstation is in communication with the central computer;

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

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

determining at the central computer a first set of instructions to transmit to the touch-screen monitor, the first set of instructions comprising a proper method of introducing the products into the automated distribution system and the proper place on the product to affix a second product identifier;

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 second product identifier has been affixed to the product; and

,

transmitting from the central computer a second conveying signal to convey the products away from the check-in workstation.

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

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

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

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

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

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of displaying on the touch-screen monitor only a workflow readout, a back button, an exceptions button, a red indicator, a yellow indicator, a green indicator and the first set of instructions, wherein the workflow readout comprises a plurality of indicators associated with actions to be taken during a check-in workflow.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the check-in workstation comprises a remote computer in communication with the central computer, and wherein the bed scanner, the handheld scanner, the keyboard and/or the touch-screen monitor are connected to the remote computer.

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

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of confirming that the second product identifiers are correctly affixed and properly located on the products.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein a plurality of automatic scanners is engaged to the check-in workstation and connected to the central computer, wherein the plurality of automatic scanners scans the appropriate locations of the products to confirm that the second product identifiers are correctly affixed and properly located.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the proper method of introducing the products into the automated distribution system comprises conveying the pallet.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the proper method of introducing the products into the automated distribution system comprises removing the products from the pallet and placing them on a conveyance receptacle.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the conveyance receptacle is a product transport tub.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the conveyance receptacle is a standardized pallet.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of confirming that the product identifier information accurately identifies and describes the products.

17. 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.

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

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

20. A method of introducing products from a pallet into an automated distribution system for automatic conveyance about a distribution center, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a signal at a central computer indicating that products to be introduced have arrived at the distribution center;

transmitting from the central computer a first conveying signal for conveying the pallet comprising the products to a check-in workstation for introducing the products into the system;

receiving a pallet present signal at the central computer indicating that the products have arrived at the check-in workstation, wherein a touch-screen monitor associated with the check-in workstation is in communication with the central computer;

confirming that no errors are associated with the products;

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

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

determining at the central computer a first set of instructions to transmit to the touch-screen monitor, the first set of instructions comprising a proper method of introducing the products into the automated distribution system and the proper place on the product to affix a second product identifier;

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

confirming that the second product identifiers are correctly affixed and properly located on the products;

receiving at the central computer a confirmation signal that the second product identifier has been affixed to the product; and

,

transmitting from the central computer a second conveying signal to convey the products away from the check-in workstation.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the check-in workstation comprises a remote computer in communication with the central computer, and wherein the bed scanner, the handheld scanner, the keyboard and/or the touch-screen monitor are connected to the remote computer.