WO1996031833B1 - Materials monitoring systems, materials management systems and related methods - Google Patents

Materials monitoring systems, materials management systems and related methods

Info

Publication number
WO1996031833B1
WO1996031833B1 PCT/US1996/004750 US9604750W WO9631833B1 WO 1996031833 B1 WO1996031833 B1 WO 1996031833B1 US 9604750 W US9604750 W US 9604750W WO 9631833 B1 WO9631833 B1 WO 9631833B1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
product
item
items
storage unit
storage
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1996/004750
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO1996031833A1 (en
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US08/417,745 external-priority patent/US5671362A/en
Application filed filed Critical
Priority to EP96912597A priority Critical patent/EP0819277A1/en
Publication of WO1996031833A1 publication Critical patent/WO1996031833A1/en
Publication of WO1996031833B1 publication Critical patent/WO1996031833B1/en

Links

Abstract

An inventory monitoring system for automatically sensing the presence and number of materials or product items (30) stored in a storage volume (12) generating a logical inventory map of the storage volume so that time-related mappings can be compared to detect item receipts and withdrawals. Item identification information provided to the system when items are received into storage can be used to identify withdrawn items (30). An electronic shelf unit (10) equipped with a sensing grid (32) or array of sensors (33) that detect items supported on the shelf (20) optically, or by a pressure transducers or the like. Infrared transceivers are used for communication between the shelves and a shelf supervisory unit.

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS[received by the International Bureau on 28 September 1996 (28.09.96); original claims 1, 2, 4, 5, 7 and 10 amended; remaining claims unchanged (8 pages)]
Claim 1. An electronic product-storage unit having a storage volume for multiple product items and having stored product traffic-sensing capabilities whereby the product storage unit can automatically generate a product traffic report, including withdrawals of product items from the storage volume, as the withdrawals are made, the product-storage unit comprising: a) an item activity-sensing subsystem continually to detect numbers of product items in the storage volume and produce a sensed item activity output; and b) a data-processing subsystem to process the sensed item activity output and report product item traffic including product item withdrawal information; and being characterized by further comprising: c) an array of item sensors to detect the presence of individual items in the storage volume, each item sensor being responsive to the presence of any one of the multiple product items should said one item be juxtaposed to the sensor, the array of sensors being such that each individual stored item is detected by multiple sensors, while stored, to provide a sensed pattern distinctive of each item.
Claim 2. An electronic product-storage unit according to claim 1 characterized in that each product item has an individual identification code, the unit includes product identification code recognition means to read each code when an item is received to storage and the data- processing subsystem associates the item's code with the sensed pattern generated for the item by the array of sensors whereby the product item code of a withdrawn item can be included in the product traffic report without reading the code on withdrawal.
Claim 3. An electronic product-storage unit according to claim 2 characterized in that the identification parameters include form and weight characteristics and the parameter sensors include form- and weight-responsive sensors and characterized in that the data-processing subsystem is operative to generate a characteristic footprint of the product items from the sensed parameter output.
Claim 4. An electronic product-storage unit according to claim 3 characterized in that the item activity-sensing subsystem includes a grid¬ like array of pressure transducers subject to pressure from the weights of items in the storage volume, the array providing a series of co-ordinates whereby the footprint can be described in terms of the co-ordinates.
Claim 5. An electronic product-storage unit according to claim 1 characterized by further comprising: d) a manually operable data input device for inputting into the data-processing subsystem receiving information regarding product items received into storage.
Claim 6. An electronic product-storage unit according to claim 5 characterized in that: i) said receiving information includes a product identification code for each received item; ii) said product items have individual identification parameters including form and weight characteristics; iii) said data-processing subsystem has parameter sensors to detect one or more the identification parameters, the parameter sensors including form- and weight-responsive sensors and provide a sensed parameter output; iv) said sensed item activity output includes item identification data from the sensed parameter output; v) said data-processing subsystem is operative to generate a characteristic footprint of each the product item from the sensed parameter output; and vi) said data-processing subsystem is programmed to determine the characteristic footprint in response to receipt of a product item into the storage volume and to associate the product identification code with the footprint; whereby the product traffic report can identify withdrawn items by the product identification code.
Claim 7. An electronic product-storage unit according to claim 1 characterized by comprising an access control subsystem controlling withdrawal of the product items from the storage volume, the access control subsystem requiring entry of a withdrawal code to permit withdrawal of the product items, the data-processing subsystem being programmed to associate the withdrawal code with a respective withdrawn item in the product traffic report whereby the withdrawal code can be used to direct accounting for the withdrawn product item.
Claim 8. An electronic product-storage unit according to claim 6 characterized by comprising an access control subsystem controlling withdrawal of the product items from the storage volume, the access control subsystem requiring entry of a withdrawal code to permit withdrawal of the product items, the data-processing subsystem being programmed to associate the withdrawal code with a respective withdrawn item in the product traffic report whereby the withdrawal code can be used to direct accounting for the withdrawn product item.
Claim 9. An electronic product-storage unit according to claim 1 comprising electronic memory characterized in that the product traffic report is sent to the electronic memory.
Claim 10. An electronic product-storage unit according to claim 1 characterized by comprising a communicator to communicate the product traffic report externally of the electronic product-storage unit.
Claim 11. An electronic product-storage unit according to claim 10 characterized in that the communicator comprises an infra-red transceiver.
Claim 12. An electronic product-storage unit according to claim 2 characterized in that the product traffic report includes receipts of product items computed from the sensed item output.
Claim 13. An electronic product-storage unit according to claim 1 characterized in that the product-storage unit is an elongated shelf unit and the storage volume extends along the shelf, the item-activity sensing means comprises a sensing grid extending along the shelf, the product items being intended to rest on the sensing grid.
Claim 14. An electronic product-storage unit according to claim 13 characterized in that the shelf unit is configured to fit within pre-existing facility shelf spaces.
Claim 15. An electronic product-storage unit having a storage volume for multiple product items and being characterized by comprising, to provide stored product traffic-sensing capabilities: a) an item activity-sensing subsystem continually to detect numbers of product items in the storage volume and produce a sensed item activity output; and b) a data-processing subsystem to process the sensed item activity output and report product item traffic including product item withdrawal information; whereby the product storage unit can automatically generate a product traffic report, including withdrawals of product items from the storage volume, as the withdrawals are made; wherein the product items have individual identification parameters, the data-processing subsystem has parameter sensors to detect one or more the identification parameters and provide a sensed parameter output, the sensed item activity output includes product item identification data from the sensed parameter output whereby the product item identification data can be included in the product traffic report; wherein the identification parameters include form and weight characteristics and the parameter sensors include form- and weight-responsive sensors and wherein the data- processing subsystem is operative to generate a characteristic footprint of the product items from the sensed parameter output; wherein the system fur ther comprises a communicator to communicate the product traffic report externally of the electronic product- storage unit; and wherein the product-storage unit is an elongated shelf unit and the storage volume extends along the shelf, the item-activity sensing means comprises a sensing grid extending along the shelf, the product items being intended to rest on the sensing grid, the shelf unit being configured to fit within pre-existing facility shelf spaces.
Claim 16. An electronic product-storage unit according to claim 15 characterized by further comprising: d) a manually operable data input device for inputting into the data-processing subsystem receiving information regarding product items received into storage; and e) an access control subsystem controlling withdrawal of the product items from the storage volume, the access control subsystem requiring entry of a withdrawal code to permit withdrawal of the product items, the data-processing subsystem being programmed to associate the withdrawal code with a respective withdrawn item in the product traffic report whereby the withdrawal code can be used to direct accounting for the withdrawn product item.
Claim 17. A materials management system for maintaining an inventory of materials products at a remote location characterized by comprising: a) a traffic-sensing electronic product-storage unit having: i) a storage volume for multiple product items; ii) an item activity-sensing subsystem continually to detect numbers of product items in the storage volume and produce a sensed item activity output; and iϋ) a data-processing subsystem to process the sensed item activity output and report product item traffic including product item withdrawal information; whereby the product storage unit can automatically generate a product traffic report, including withdrawals of product items from the storage volume, as the withdrawals are made; and b) a central materials management software component cooperative with the electronic product storage unit to receive the product traffic report and initiate withdrawn item replenishment and accounting for the withdrawn product items in response thereto.
Claim 18. A materials management system according to claim 17 characterized by comprising multiple the electronic product-storage units at a facility, each the product storage unit having a built-in communicator to output product traffic reports as in faxed signals; and a station communicator in line-of-sight communication with the storage unit built-in communicators, the station communicator outputting long-distance communications signals for transmitting the product traffic report to the central software component.
Claim 19. An electronic product-storage unit having a storage volume for multiple product items and being characterized by comprising, to provide stored product traffic-sensing capabilities: a) an item-sensing system to sense the presence of each the product item stored at rest in the storage volume to provide sensor information for generating a first inventory map of the product items stored in the storage volume at a point in time; b) a sensor scanner to provide the sensor information for generating a subsequent inventory map of the
AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE stored product items at a subsequent point in time; and c) a data processor to compare the first and previous inventory maps and output a product item movement report of changes in the item inventory.
Claim 20. A system according to claim 19 characterized in that the item-sensing system comprises an array of item detectors and a storage volume defining member supporting the item detectors.
Claim 21. A system according to claim 20 characterized in that the storage volume defining member comprises a shelf supporting the product items.
Claim 22. A system according to claim 19 characterized by comprising a sensing program capable of processing signals from the sensors to provide a map of the presence and location of each the stored item.
Claim 23. A system according to claim 22 characterized in that the program uniquely identifies each the stored product item by location and posts item identification information to storage when the product items are received into storage in the storage volume, whereby the item identification information is available to identify items removed from storage according to the storage volume location.
Claim 24. A system according to claim 22 characterized in that the scanner sequentially scans multiple subvolumes of the storage volume, to update the inventory map incrementally.
Claim 25. A method of managing a materials inventory maintained in storage at a remote location from a central location physically removed from the remote location, characterized by the method comprising: a) monitoring removal of materials product items from storage b means of a sensor system responsive to displacement of the product items to provide a monitored item report; b) electronically transmitting the monitored item report to the central location; and c) using the monitored item report at the central location to initiate replenishment of and accounting for the removed product items.
STATEMENT UNDER ARTICLE 19
Claim 1 has been amended the better to acknowledge the prior art as represented by the reference to Cobb et al , U.S. Patent No. 4,845,492 and to delimit the invention as relating to an electronic product storage unit with automated inventory tracking which is characterized by having an array of sensors providing a sensed pattern distinctive of each item. There is no code reading by the sensors: each sensor is responsive to the presence of any item. The unit can be used for storing a variety of items essentially randomly in the sense of not requiring items to be stored at predetermined locations, and yet can track withdrawals without requiring an identification code to be read when the item is withdrawn.
This unique ability renders the storage unit suitable for self service at busy locations such as a surgical supplies room, ensuring that all withdrawals may be tracked without requiring a harassed nurse, or comparable authorized individual to stop and execute a withdrawal logging routine. Even a simple bar code scan is not required and might be omitted by a surgical nurse at a moment of crisis. As set forth more specifically by the subject matter of claim 2, an identification code such as a standard bar code, can be read when the item is received into storage and associated with the item's sensed pattern.
As detailed in claim 7, for example, provision of an access control subsystem requiring entry of a withdrawal code (e.g. a nurse-plus-patient code) to effect withdrawal of an item, enables properly accounting for any number of withdrawals.
Cobb discloses a system for tracking movements of items such as car keys stored on locator boards at a car dealership. Cobb's teaching is a specific solution to a very specific problem, namely the whereabouts of car keys at a busy car dealership. In contrast, applicant's invention is generally applicable to any items that can be comfortably accommodated in the storage volume and individually juxtaposed to multiple sensors, while in the volume, to provide a sensed pattern. Cobb's keys are held by digitally coded card "article holders" which plug into edge connectors on a storage panel. Digitally coded article holders are not required by the claimed invention.
Cobb's weighing scale 20 does not provide item sensing in the storage volume as does the unique array of sensors of applicant's invention. Teller U. S. Patent 4,961 ,533 requires special coding on the item, namely color patch 54 (on the undersurface of a bottle), and the combination of color patch 54 with weight transducer 72 are clearly quite different from the sensing grid of the claimed invention.
US Patents 5,313,393 (Varley) and 4,796,209 (Burk) are not remotely relevant to the claims as now written. U.S. Patents Nos. 5,442,344 (Merkle), 5,448,226 (Failing), 5,455,209 (Smith) were published after applicant's priority date, as acknowledged by the searcher, and are therefore not prior art or prejudicial references. Nevertheless, they are believed clearly distinguished by the amended claims.
PCT/US1996/004750 1995-04-04 1996-04-04 Materials monitoring systems, materials management systems and related methods WO1996031833A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP96912597A EP0819277A1 (en) 1995-04-04 1996-04-04 Materials monitoring systems, materials management systems and related methods

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US08/417,745 1995-04-04
US08/417,745 US5671362A (en) 1995-04-04 1995-04-04 Materials monitoring systems, materials management systems and related methods

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WO1996031833A1 WO1996031833A1 (en) 1996-10-10
WO1996031833B1 true WO1996031833B1 (en) 1996-11-14

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WO (1) WO1996031833A1 (en)

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