AU774968B2 - A stock control system - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT 9*te q* Applicant(s): Invention Title: DR HILTON WASILEWSKY A STOCK CONTROL SYSTEM The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 24/05 '04 MON 11:14 FAX 81299255911 GRIFFITH HACK IM1008 2 A Stock Control System Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a computerised stock control system for controlling stock.

Background of the Invention Many businesses utilize a substantial amount of stock.

For example, an orthodontist's practice utilises a number of products such as brackets and braces, etc.

Unfortunately, it is necessary for the orthodontist to keep track of all his supplies as substantial time can be lost if, during treatment, the orthodontist finds that he does not have sufficient supplies of a product required to treat a patient. The patent invention will be exemplified with reference to meeting important needs now identified as advantageous in an orthodontic practice, but the invention broadly extends to all other analogous applications.

Summary of the Invention The present invention provides a stock control system including: a stock database for storing information about current stock items of stock; :00 a user interface for displaying at the same time o on a single. display page for a selected stock item 0000 information consisting of the following: .0:25 a quotation of the stock items cost; an indicator of the number of stock items ordered; an indicator of the number of stock items of said order which have arrived; an indicator of the number of stock items utilised; and an indicator of the number of stock items on hand.

The system can be implemented on a palm held computer system and in another aspect consists in a computer device incorporating the system.

COMS ID No: SBMI-00762224 Received by IP Australia: Time 11:20 Date 2004-05-24 24/05 '04 MON 11:15 FAX 61299255911 GRIFFITH HACK j009 3 The system can further comprise: means for determining a preorder list of items to be ordered; means for reviewing the preorder list; and means for turning the preorder list in to a series of orders for forwarding to suppliers.

Further, the system can comprise stock label printing means for printing out corresponding stock labels upon updating the stock database upon the arrival of stock.

The system of a preferred embodiment is able to handle the same stock item from joint companies with joint catalogue numbers through the utilisation of the same stock number but a catalogue number being different for different suppliers.

Preferably the system further includes an external browser means for browsing supplier catalogues and means 15 for automatic incorporation of items in the supplier catalogue into the stock database on demand.

Preferably the system includes means to download eo *ee COMS ID No: SBMI-00762224 Received by IP Australia: Time 11:20 Date 2004-05-24 4 product information e.g. from an internet site, or a disc (or other data storage medium) or by a dial up connection to another computer. For examples, specials, quotes and information on items can be downloaded.

Preferably, the system maintains a history of items in a catalogue including items on special pricing, as well as a history of items endorsed, received used and sold.

The system in a preferred embodiment is flexible so as to suit an inventory control for a user of product rather than a seller. The system can be set up to suit a wide range of users including dentists and other health professionals.

Whilst the preferred embodiment is discussed with reference to an orthodontic stock control system, it will 15 be evident that the present invention is not limited S"thereto and has general application to many different businesses where stock is consumed.

Brief Description of the Drawings Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred forms of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 illustrates an example overall software design of the preferred embodiment; Fig. 2 to Fig. 13 illustrate various example screens illustrating the various concepts of the preferred embodiment; and Fig. 14 illustrates a flow chart for ordering supplies.

Description of Preferred and Other Embodiments The preferred embodiment of the present invention is designed to operate on a suitably programmed handheld pocket organiser system. The pocket organiser system can comprise the popular Psion system or, otherwise, can 34735.doc July 7, 1999 5 comprise a Microsoft Windows-CE system when suitably programmed. The preferred embodiment will be discussed with reference to a Psion system although its extension to other personal organiser systems will be readily evident.

Turning initially to Fig. 1, there is illustrated the overall structural interrelationship 1 of the preferred embodiment. The preferred embodiment 1 includes a series of procedures 2-5 which interact with a user via a user interface 6 and utilise data stored in a data base 7. In Fig. 2 to Fig. 4 there is illustrated one example user interface as programmed on the Psion system which includes a series of pull down menus for accessing each of the procedures 2-5 of Fig. i.

Starting with the stock procedures, there is provided an initial browse facility, an example of which is illustrated in Fig. 6, which provides for full browser capability of all stock items on line.

Preferably, each stock item can be selected from the list 10 by means of the usual interface controls and a filtering system can be provided so as to automatically search for certain data on the basis of search criteria and values. Each of the stock items in the list can be preferably selected such that all the information from the data base 7 (Fig. 1) is displayed for review. An example of the display of information is indicated in Fig. 7 with the information being displayed upon the selection of an appropriate control key. Preferably, the stock procedures 2 include a procedure for adding stock to a pre-order queue which will be considered at a later date for ordering.

The stock procedures also preferably include an automatic bracket and banding selection procedure. This module lets a user quickly determine the bands and brackets required for a particular patient by means of a visual selection procedure. Examples of the automatic banding 34735.doc July 7, 1999 6 selection are indicated in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, with Fig. 8 illustrating the band selection procedure and Fig. 9 illustrating a bracket selection procedure. A current position is indicated 20 and the button 21 can be toggled between a band or bracket upon the selection of an appropriate key. If a bracket is selected, then an additional button 22 appears at the bottom left of the screen indicating the default type of bracket to be applied to the particular tooth selected. Selecting another key can toggle the choices for the button 22. A third button 24 indicates the current prescription. The user may toggle through the prescription by pressing an appropriate control key, with further appropriate control keys allowing for movement of the current position indicator 20 as required.

When selecting a band, a size is also entered by means of a pop-up box. Upon selection of a band or bracket, the stock procedures automatically update the data base entry within :the data base 7 so as to reflect the change in stock levels. Further, a warning box can be displayed when the 20 stock item is unavailable or extremely low, an example warning box is illustrated in Fig. The preferred embodiment preferably also provides for the ability to add suppliers to the data base 7 by means of an appropriate suppliers menu. Additionally, appropriate menus can be provided for the adding of new stock items and the full maintenance of the stock data base.

For example, as illustrated in Fig. 14, a first software routine 30 can be provided for viewing entries within an internal catalogue 31 of items previously ordered. Otherwise, suppliers can provide their own catalogue 32 for downloading an interrogation. The catalogue 32 can include both visual and audio data information for viewing by a reviewer for providing for enhanced decision making capabilities. Further, a separate 34735.doc July 7, 1999 7 browser 33 can be provided for viewing the supplier catalogue at leisure. The browser can include download web interconnections downloading the latest supplier advertising information in addition to supplier "specials" etc. The information from the supplier catalogue 32 can be downloaded to the catalogue 31 for future referencing.

Returning now to Fig. 1, the orders procedures provides for allowing a user to enter orders in the system.

The system 1 preferably utilises a pre-order system where all items to be ordered are stored in a single pre-order file. This gives the user the ability to adjust order levels prior to creating real orders for sending to respective suppliers. Wlhilst most orders will be generated through browsing of the stock data base and the stock out warnings, a low stock procedure is preferably provided so as to determine those stocks which are low and require reordering. The low stock procedure can preferably proceed by comparing a current stock level with a "low stock level" value which is entered upon entry of a stock item in the data base. Preferably, the orders procedure also provides for the ability to review current pre-order items so as to adjust them if necessary. Of course, a number of different procedures can be also implemented for creating orders.

For example, orders can be generated via the low stock level or by highlighting an item and typing a character key such as or by highlighting a history of that item and typing a further key combination.

The orders procedure can then include a routine to take the pre-order file and create a series of orders to suppliers. The resulting order files can be saved in a particular format for transfer via an interconnected computer to the suppliers host computer or for hard copy printing by importing the files into a relevant word processing package, spreadsheet programs etc.

34735.doc July 7, 1999 8 The orders procedures 3 also preferably includes a module that allows the user to check received goods against outstanding orders. The outstanding orders list can be created as part of the ordering process and an example is illustrated in Fig. 11. Upon selection of the appropriate outstanding order, the order items are displayed as illustrated in Fig. 12. On selection of an appropriate item, an item acceptance confirmation box is displayed as illustrated in Fig. 13 which allows for confirmation or alteration of the goods received. Preferably, upon confirmation of goods received, appropriate stock labels are printed out for each item received on a label printer for affixing to the received item.

Turning again to Fig. 1, the preferred embodiment can 15 also include a series of administration procedures for printing out reports of all stock, low level stock, filtered data, etc. Additionally, order reports can be printed out and reprinted orders provided. The administration procedures 4 can also be provided for data 20 export to a computer system by means of saving files.

Finally, there is provided a series of special procedures 5 for providing system type routines which can include set-up routines for entry of user information and passwords, providing outputs of usage of stock and corresponding profit figures, etc.

It would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the present invention as shown in the specific embodiment without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiment is, therefore, to be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive.

34735.doc July 7, 1999

Claims (10)

1. A stock control system including: a stock database for storing information about S current stock items of stock; a user interface for displaying at the same time on a single display page for a selected stock item. information consisting Of the following: a quotation of the stock items cost; an indicator of the number of stock items ordered; an indicator of the number of stock items Of said order which have arrived; an indicator of the number of stock items utilised; and an indicator of the number of stock items on hand.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display page is organised to present information in a plurality of columns, one column including information on the number of stock items ordered, one column including information on the number of stock items received, one column including information on the number of stock items utilised and one column including information on the numberk of stock items on hand.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the information about current stock items of stock includes a stock number for a stock item, the stock number being associated with a plurality of catalogue numbers, each catalogue number being associated with each of a plurality of suppliers for the stock item.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, including means enabling creation of a pre-order list of items to be ordered, which list can be reviewed by a user of the COMS ID No: SBMI-00762224 Received by IP Australia: Time 11:20 Date (Y-vl-d) 2004-05-24 24/05 '04 MON 11:15 FAX 81299255911 GRIFFITH HACK system, and means for turning such pre-order list into a series of orders for forwarding to suppliers.

The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising stock label printing means for printing out corresponding stock labels upon updating said stock database upon the arrival of stock.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1, further including a browser means for browsing supplier catalogues and means enabling incorporation of items in said supplier catalogues into said stock database. 0 0°

7. The system as claimed in claim 1, incorporated in to a 'o 15 handheld computer system. 0*

8. A computer program including instructions for controlling a computer to implement a stock control system in accordance with any one of the preceding 20 claims. 0**

9. A computer readable medium providing a computer program in accordance with claim 8. 25

10. A stock control system substantially as herein 0 described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 01oii COMS ID No: SBMI-00762224 Received by IP Australia: Time 11:20 Date 2004-05-24