WO2001031546A2 - Procede et appareil destines a l'acquisition et a la fourniture de donnees d'inventaire - Google Patents

Procede et appareil destines a l'acquisition et a la fourniture de donnees d'inventaire Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2001031546A2
WO2001031546A2 PCT/US2000/041685 US0041685W WO0131546A2 WO 2001031546 A2 WO2001031546 A2 WO 2001031546A2 US 0041685 W US0041685 W US 0041685W WO 0131546 A2 WO0131546 A2 WO 0131546A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
inventory item
inventory
file
image
profile file
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2000/041685
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2001031546A3 (fr
Inventor
John Chris Terp
Peter Jon Taunton
Original Assignee
Supersale.Com
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Supersale.Com filed Critical Supersale.Com
Priority to AU29194/01A priority Critical patent/AU2919401A/en
Publication of WO2001031546A2 publication Critical patent/WO2001031546A2/fr
Publication of WO2001031546A3 publication Critical patent/WO2001031546A3/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
    • G06Q10/08—Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
    • G06Q10/087—Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

Definitions

  • the present invention is directed to integrated systems capable of acquiring various types of inventory information and providing the inventory information to various channels of inventory distribution.
  • Inventory data is a necessary element to sales operations.
  • the ability of each entity in the product distribution chain to provide detailed information about each item to the next entity in the chain is critical.
  • the rate at which the inventory information can be acquired and then provided to the distribution channels directly affects the rate at which products within the inventory can be sold.
  • Acquiring inventory data is largely a manual task. Specific information about each item within the inventory must be noted and entered into a system that can store the data and provide it to the distribution channels when necessary. Acquiring the inventory often requires photographs of each item to be made. A person must use some type of camera to take the photograph, and then the photograph must be stored for later use. This storage might involve filing a tangible photograph in a file associated with the item. In the case of a digital camera, the image file must be stored in an associated bin in a storage device. When the items to be inventoried are each unique, the information demonstrating the items' unique characters must be acquired. This step will often require a person to observe an item and note its characteristics. In many cases, an item will have some identifier, such as an identification number.
  • This number must be entered into the inventory system in some manner. All of the information about each item must be kept together and assimilated in a form suitable for use in the distribution channel.
  • the items within the inventory may have sporadic locations, rather than being grouped within a warehouse. In such a case, the acquisition process must be performed in a mobile environment.
  • the present invention is a portable inventory device for assisting with the creation of inventory profiles for products.
  • the portable inventory system generates a complete inventory item profile comprised of a digital image of the inventory item, a general description of the inventory item, and inspection notes obtained from observations of the inventory item by a person.
  • the portable inventory device includes at least an image scanner, a digital camera, and a receiver that is configured to receive a plurality of data files that represent standard inventory profiles for a plurality of inventory items.
  • An article inventory file is a file including an industry-wide accepted format used in describing an inventory item in a specific channel of trade.
  • the portable device also includes at least a memory arrangement that is coupled to the image scanner and the digital camera and configured to store data representing the standard inventory profiles for a plurality of inventory items.
  • the portable apparatus further includes a processor coupled to the image scanner, the digital camera and the memory arrangement.
  • the processor is configured to process an image of an inventory item's identifier that is captured by the image scanner.
  • the identifier is an identifying bar code.
  • the identifier may be actual alpha numeric characters.
  • the processor processes the image captured by the image scanner in order to determine an alpha numeric representation of the bar code.
  • the alpha numeric representation of the bar code is cross referenced with a look-up table stored in the memory arrangement and linked to the standard inventory profiles of inventory items by an inventory item's bar code.
  • the processor retrieves the standard inventory profile from the memory arrangement and displays it upon a display screen of the portable device.
  • the processor then may prompt the user of the portable device to review and modify the standard inventory profile of the inventory item being observed, if necessary.
  • the user may input customized inventory item information including information concerning the user's inspection of the article's condition.
  • the standard inventory profile including any modifications to the standard inventory profile, along with any observation information is stored in a revised item inventory profile.
  • the user may capture a digital image of the item being inventoried with the portable device's digital camera. The digital image captured is attached to the revised item inventory profile and both the item inventory profile and the captured image are processed and stored in a web user format as a customized item inventory information file.
  • This customized item inventory information file may be transmitted to the server of a web site following docking the apparatus in a docking station or via a wireless transmission of the information file to a host system.
  • Fig. 1 shows a device for acquiring and providing inventory data, according to one embodiment
  • Fig. 2 illustrates the system used to acquire and provide the inventory data, according to one embodiment
  • Fig. 3 further illustrates the system used to acquired and provide the inventory data, according to one embodiment
  • Fig. 4 shows the connection options of one embodiment of the system to distribution channels;
  • Fig. 5 illustrates one embodiment of the operational flow used to control the system when acquiring inventory data;
  • Fig. 6 illustrates one embodiment of the operational flow used to control the system when providing the inventory data to distribution channels; and Fig. 7 further illustrates the operational flow used to provide the inventory data to entities in the distribution channels.
  • the present invention comprises a portable device for quickly and accurately gathering highly detailed inventory profile information on items being inventoried.
  • the portable device includes an image scanner, a digital camera, a receiver configured to receive standard inventory item profile files, a memory arrangement coupled to the image scanner and the digital camera and configured to store data representing the standard inventory item profile files, and a processor coupled to the image scanner and the digital camera and the memory arrangement.
  • the processor is configured to process an image of an inventory item's identifier that is captured by the image scanner to determine a representation for the identifier that may be processed by a computer.
  • the identifier is a bar code.
  • the imaged bar code is processed to determine an alpha numeric representation of the bar code.
  • the identifier may be bar codes, actual numbers and letter and any other form of an identifier that can be imaged and processed by a computer.
  • the processor is further configured to retrieve data representing the inventory item profile file from data storage by virtue of a link between the alpha numeric representation of the bar code and the inventory item profile file.
  • the portable device generates customized inventory item information files that are comprised of a revised inventory item profile file and a digital image of the inventory item being profiled that is captured by the digital camera.
  • the portable device performs the function of creating customized inventory item profile files by performing the following processing steps. First, an image is captured of the bar code of the item being inventoried by the image scanner. Next, the bar code image captured is processed to generate an alpha numeric representation of the bar code.
  • an inventory item profile file associated with the alpha numeric representation of the bar code is retrieved from the portable device's memory.
  • the inventory item profile file is displayed on a screen within the portable device so that the user of the portable device may review the inventory item profile file for accuracy.
  • the user is provided with an opportunity to update the inventory item profile file.
  • An update to the inventory item profile file includes modifying the inventory item profile file and capturing a digital image of the inventory item and attaching it to the revised inventory item profile file.
  • the digital image of the item being inventoried is captured by a digital camera which comprises part of the portable device.
  • the digital image captured and the revised inventory item profile file are stored in memory.
  • the revised inventory item profile file is processed and stored in a format wherein the inventory item profile file and digital image are Internet ready.
  • An Internet ready revised inventory item profile file is a file that is accessible by users of the worldwide web following storage of the revised inventory item profile file as a thumbnail sketch on a web site server.
  • the Internet ready revised inventory item profile file may be transmitted to the server of a web site automatically after the portable device is docked in a docking station.
  • the Internet ready revised inventory item profile file may be transmitted by initiating a download command sequence wherein the revised inventory item profile file is transmitted wirelessly to a host database system which is configured to transmit and store the revised inventory item profile file on a web server.
  • the portable device 100 includes a pen tablet 102 and a folding cover 106.
  • the pen tablet 102 is a small computer system such as the Fujitsu stylistic LT.
  • the pen tablet includes a touch screen display 104.
  • the touch screen display 104 provides a user interface to display inventory item profile files to the user.
  • the touch screen display 104 of the pen tablet 102 may also display an image of the inventory item being captured as well as any necessary screen displays that assist the operator in acquiring inventory information needed to complete a revised inventory item profile file.
  • the pen tablet 102 functions as a stand-alone computer, as discussed with reference to Fig. 2 in greater detail below.
  • the folding cover 106 of the portable device 100 includes a digital camera 108, a bar code scan engine 110, and an associated scan trigger 112.
  • the folding cover 106 is hinged to the pen tablet 102 and folds over the pen tablet 102 to protect it when not in use.
  • the folding cover 106 is manipulated such that it is positioned almost perpendicular to the pen tablet 102, such positioning of the folding cover 106 enables the device's portability.
  • the folding cover 106 uncovers the pen tablet 102's touch screen 104 and allows the operator to access both the touch screen 104 and all of the functional devices within the holding cover 106.
  • the digital camera 108 housed within the folding cover 106 is commercially available and is typically a 3COM HomeConnect.
  • the camera 108 allows the operator to capture digital images of the inventory items when acquiring the necessary inventory information. If the portable apparatus was being used in the automotive industry for example, the digital camera 108 is used to capture images of the automobile that will subsequently be shown to potential buyers. Also, the digital camera 108 may be used to capture an image of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) which is located on a plate on the dashboard of the vehicle. The digital cameral 108 may be used to capture several images of the same vehicle so that a virtual tour may later be constructed. It is to be understood that the portable device is intended to be used to inventory any types of items that have unique identification numbers. Automobiles, for example have unique vehicle identification numbers. Other items that could be inventoried using the portable device include motorcycles, snowmobiles, and boats.
  • VIN Vehicle Identification Number
  • the bar code scan engine 110 included in one embodiment of the folding cover is commercially available and is typically a Welch-Allyn 3800 Imagesetter. Such a scan engine permits a bar code that carries an identification number for an item to be imaged, rather than merely read, and then the identification number is extracted from the image through known techniques. Such a scanner is useful where clean visibility of the bar code is not readily accessible, such as in the case where the VIN has to be scanned through automobile glass, as is often the case with the VIN bar code on General Motors' automobiles. The VIN bar code on these cars is located beneath transelective laminated safety glass. Ordinary bar code readers will not pick up the bar code through the glass, so a bar code scan engine is preferred for such applications.
  • the scan trigger 112 permits the operator to activate the scan engine.
  • Fig. 2 shows part of the system implemented by the pen tablet 102 and the folding cover's 106 components.
  • the pen tablet 102 provides a computer processor 202 that has associated memory 214 and data storage 204.
  • the processor 202 is typically an Intel Pentium.
  • the memory 214 is some form of RAM.
  • the data storage 204 is typically a hard disk drive.
  • the touch screen 104 interfaces with graphics hardware that is in communication with the computer processor 202.
  • the computer processor 202 also communicates with a USB port 212 such as a Targus PA060, a docking station interface 208, and a wireless communications interface 206.
  • the processor 202 is controlled by an operating system, typically Windows 98.
  • a program is executing during operation of the device 100 which prompts and assists the operator in acquiring and providing the data, as will be discussed with reference to Figs. 5 and 6.
  • the processor explodes the VIN for an automobile. Exploding the VIN refers to the process of referencing the VIN with a set of National Automotive Dealer Association (NAD A) look up tables stored in the hard disk 204 to find all of the NADA information about the current vehicle, including year, make, model, body style, and available accessories.
  • NAD A National Automotive Dealer Association
  • the memory 214 is implemented in this process to temporarily store the captured VIN image and the alpha numeric representation of the VIN determined. Other information as directed by the operating system and the program under execution is also stored in memory.
  • the folding cover 106 contains the USB hub
  • Fig. 4 shows the docking station 402 and the wireless communications device 404.
  • the docking station 402 provides a fixed portal for the device 100 to access distribution channels such as the Internet 408.
  • the wireless communications device 404 permits the device 100 to access the distribution channels while maintaining portability.
  • the docking station 402 comes into electrical communication with the device 100 when the pen tablet 102 is docked in the station 402 through the docking station interface 208.
  • the docking station 402 may also contain have a printer 403 electrically connected thereto via a dedicated printer port (not shown) on the docking station.
  • the printer may be used to print information about the inventory items, such as window stickers for vehicles.
  • the wireless communications device 404 may be included in the folding cover 106 and can maintain permanent electrical communication with the device 100 either through the wireless communications interface 206 or the USB hub 210. Using either the docking station 402 or the communications device 404, the executing program for the portable device 100 dials-up an Internet Service Provider (ISP) 406 that maintains a server with a sequel database and a connection to the Internet 408.
  • ISP Internet Service Provider
  • the docking station 402 initiates a File Transfer Protocol (FTP), wherein an entire copy of all new and updated files and their images are transmitted to a host web server 409.
  • FTP File Transfer Protocol
  • These files having previously been compressed, are uncompressed and stored in a database within the host web server 409.
  • the database is then used by the host web server 409 to perform active server pages, which are accessing the records stored in the database within the host web server 409.
  • the active server pages recognize that new inventory has been stored in the database within the host web server 409 and causes the new inventory records, which may consist of new and revised records, to be displayed on the dealer web pages that are on the host web server 409.
  • Each inventory dealer may have a page on the host web server 409 web site, at which are thumbnail sketches of the inventory items. Selecting a thumbnail sketch at the dealer web site page presents a full image of the inventory item and full detail information on the inventory item. All of the information retrieved by selecting the thumbnail sketch is being pulled from the database which was populated with data uploaded from the portable device.
  • copies of new and updated files and their images may be FTP transmitted to other web sites 410 and 412.
  • the host web server 409 controlled by an executing program, orchestrates the FTP transfer of the inventory data acquired by the device 100 to additional web sever destinations which, in the present embodiment, are dealer websites 410 and 412 in the case of Internet commerce.
  • Fig. 5 demonstrates an embodiment of the operational flow of the data acquisition process for automobiles.
  • the inventory process starts after the operator selects inventory from a main menu.
  • Step 504 provides a decision, whereby the operator decides whether the vehicle to be inventoried is already on record in the system. If so, the operator chooses course of action A. If not, the operator chooses course of action B. Under course of action A, step 506 displays the sales list of all of the vehicles already on record.
  • Step 508 permits the operator to sort through the lists of vehicles to find the proper portion of the list that contains the current vehicle.
  • Step 510 prompts the user to either select the current vehicle from the list or scan the VIN. If the operator chooses to select the vehicle from the list, step 514 accepts the selection from the operator.
  • step 512 accepts the VIN that is provided by the bar code scan engine 110.
  • step 516 retrieves the vehicle's record that is stored on the storage device 204. Once the record is found, the system progresses to step 530, where the VIN is checked against the NADA tables to see if it is valid.
  • Step 518 prompts the user to scan the VIN.
  • Step 520 accepts the VIN that is generated by the bar code scan engine 110.
  • Step 522 determines whether the VIN is on record by scanning through the records stored on the storage device 204. If the VIN is on record, then step 524 retrieves the record from the storage device 204. If the VIN is not on record, then step 526 creates a vehicle record by creating a bin on the storage device 204 and records the VIN in the bin. After the record has been retrieved or created, step 530 checks the VIN against the NADA tables to see if it is valid.
  • step 530 either the VIN is exploded by step 532 for a valid VIN or the user is prompted to enter the NADA data by step 534 for an invalid VIN.
  • the NADA data is general vehicle data including the year, make, model, and body style. The user enters this data through the touch screen 104 of the pen tablet 102.
  • step 536 prompts the user to enter the specific vehicle data.
  • the specific vehicle data includes mileage, stock number, color, engine, and transmission information.
  • step 538 displays the value options and prompts the user to select an options package for the current vehicle.
  • the options packages include accessories such as air conditioning and stereo. The operator may select or de-select individual accessories within the options packages.
  • step 540 displays pricing guidelines based upon the information from the NADA tables, the specific vehicle information entered, and the options selected by the operator.
  • the pricing guidelines include the NADA trade, loan, and market values of the vehicle.
  • Step 540 also prompts the operator to enter the asking price for the vehicle.
  • step 542 either directs course of action AA or BB to occur, depending upon what course of action, A or B, was earlier chosen. If A was chosen earlier, then AA is the proper course of action and the operation jumps to step 544.
  • Step 544 displays the image(s) on record for the current vehicle and then prompts the user to either select the current image(s) or clear them. If the operator selects them, then operation jumps to step 548 to permit confirmation of the data. If the operator chooses to clear the image(s) on record, then step 546 prompts the user to take a photograph with the digital camera 108 and then receives input from the camera 108. Once the image data has been received, step 548 then permits confirmation of the data.
  • Step 558 prompts the user to take a photograph of the vehicle and receives input from the digital camera 108. Once the image data has been received, step 548 then permits confirmation of the data.
  • step 548 the operator is permitted to modify any of the vehicle data. Once all modifications are made, step 548 generates and stores a profile for the current vehicle that contains vehicle specifications, pricing, and image(s). Step 550 permits a window sticker containing the vehicle's information to be printed by the printer 302. Step 552 prompts the user to decide whether to enter another vehicle. If another is to be entered, the operation flow jumps back to step 504 to determine the proper course of action A or B for the new vehicle. If no more cars are to be entered, step 556 ends the inventory process and sends operation back to the main menu. Once the inventory process is complete, the operator may choose connect from the main menu. Fig. 6 shows the operational flow for the connect process. At step 602, the upload process begins from the main menu.
  • Step 604 dials the Internet Service Provider (ISP) through the docking station 402 or the wireless communications device 404.
  • the ISP 406 provides access to the server as well as access to dealers' web sites 410 and 412 through the Internet 408.
  • step 606 compresses the profiles for the vehicles on record.
  • Step 608 sends the compressed profiles to the sequel database stored on the server through the ISP 406.
  • Step 610 determines whether the sequel database contains an updated NADA tables relative to the NADA tables stored in the device 100. If an updated database exists, step 612 downloads the compressed database tables.
  • Step 614 decompresses the new tables on the storage device 204. Then Step 616 disconnects the device 100 from the ISP 406.
  • step 610 determines that updated tables do not exist, then operation jumps directly to step 616 which disconnects. Step 616 sends operation back to the main menu after disconnecting.
  • Fig. 7 illustrates the operational flow that occurs in providing the profiles to the appropriate dealers' websites 410 and 412.
  • Step 702 starts the transfer process after all compressed profiles have been received by the server.
  • Step 704 decompresses the profiles.
  • Step 706 extracts the profiles to the dealers' Internet directories (websites) in the appropriate form for display.
  • Step 708 generates thumbnail images for each image that was stored in the profiles by resizing the images.
  • Step 710 provides the thumbnails to the appropriate dealers' directories. The thumbnails are useful because they allow webshoppers to quickly glance over a large number of cars and only click on the cars of interest.

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un dispositif d'inventaire portable qui comprend un scanner d'image, une caméra numérique, un récepteur agencé de façon à recevoir des fichiers de profil d'article d'inventaire standard, un agencement de mémoires couplé au scanner d'image et à la caméra numérique et agencé de façon à stocker des données représentant les fichiers de profil d'article d'inventaire standard, et un processeur couplé au scanner d'image, à la caméra numérique et à l'agencement de mémoires. Ce dispositif portable réalise la fonction qui consiste à rassembler rapidement et précisément des informations relatives à des profils d'inventaire d'articles à inventorier. Ce dispositif portable rassemble des informations relatives à des profils d'inventaire hautement détaillées via une localisation automatique d'un profil d'article d'inventaire standard en mémoire et il offre à son utilisateur la possibilité de mettre à jour ce fichier de profil d'article d'inventaire. Ce système met également à jour un fichier de profil d'article d'inventaire en incluant une image numérique de cet article inventorié et en stockant ce fichier de profil d'article d'inventaire avec l'image numérique dans un format prêt de serveur web.
PCT/US2000/041685 1999-10-28 2000-10-27 Procede et appareil destines a l'acquisition et a la fourniture de donnees d'inventaire WO2001031546A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU29194/01A AU2919401A (en) 1999-10-28 2000-10-27 Method and apparatus for acquiring and providing inventory data

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US42918799A 1999-10-28 1999-10-28
US09/429,187 1999-10-28

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001031546A2 true WO2001031546A2 (fr) 2001-05-03
WO2001031546A3 WO2001031546A3 (fr) 2002-06-13

Family

ID=23702175

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2000/041685 WO2001031546A2 (fr) 1999-10-28 2000-10-27 Procede et appareil destines a l'acquisition et a la fourniture de donnees d'inventaire

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2919401A (fr)
WO (1) WO2001031546A2 (fr)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1426894A1 (fr) * 2002-12-05 2004-06-09 Dat'way Procédé et système pour traiter des documents associés à des opérations logistiques
WO2004084024A2 (fr) * 2003-03-14 2004-09-30 Sap Aktiengesellschaft Application multimode pour entrepot
EP1577821A1 (fr) * 2004-03-16 2005-09-21 Neopost Industrie Système de suivi optimisé de la livraison d'objets
US7603291B2 (en) 2003-03-14 2009-10-13 Sap Aktiengesellschaft Multi-modal sales applications
US8091782B2 (en) 2007-11-08 2012-01-10 International Business Machines Corporation Using cameras to monitor actual inventory

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5229116A (en) * 1989-11-28 1993-07-20 Edgar Boo E Administration of pharmaceutical agents
EP0697669A2 (fr) * 1994-08-10 1996-02-21 Fisher Scientific Company Procédé et système électronique de recherche de la source
WO1996013015A2 (fr) * 1994-10-14 1996-05-02 United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. Systeme de suivi de colis multiphase
US5845265A (en) * 1995-04-26 1998-12-01 Mercexchange, L.L.C. Consignment nodes
WO1999042029A1 (fr) * 1998-02-20 1999-08-26 Welch Allyn, Inc. Systeme compact d'instrument d'imagerie

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5229116A (en) * 1989-11-28 1993-07-20 Edgar Boo E Administration of pharmaceutical agents
EP0697669A2 (fr) * 1994-08-10 1996-02-21 Fisher Scientific Company Procédé et système électronique de recherche de la source
WO1996013015A2 (fr) * 1994-10-14 1996-05-02 United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. Systeme de suivi de colis multiphase
US5845265A (en) * 1995-04-26 1998-12-01 Mercexchange, L.L.C. Consignment nodes
WO1999042029A1 (fr) * 1998-02-20 1999-08-26 Welch Allyn, Inc. Systeme compact d'instrument d'imagerie

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1426894A1 (fr) * 2002-12-05 2004-06-09 Dat'way Procédé et système pour traiter des documents associés à des opérations logistiques
FR2848316A1 (fr) * 2002-12-05 2004-06-11 Dat Way Procede et systeme pour traiter des documents associes a des operations logistiques
WO2004084024A2 (fr) * 2003-03-14 2004-09-30 Sap Aktiengesellschaft Application multimode pour entrepot
WO2004084024A3 (fr) * 2003-03-14 2005-02-10 Sap Ag Application multimode pour entrepot
US7603291B2 (en) 2003-03-14 2009-10-13 Sap Aktiengesellschaft Multi-modal sales applications
EP1577821A1 (fr) * 2004-03-16 2005-09-21 Neopost Industrie Système de suivi optimisé de la livraison d'objets
FR2867878A1 (fr) * 2004-03-16 2005-09-23 Neopost Ind Systeme de suivi optimise de la livraison d'objets
US8091782B2 (en) 2007-11-08 2012-01-10 International Business Machines Corporation Using cameras to monitor actual inventory

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2919401A (en) 2001-05-08
WO2001031546A3 (fr) 2002-06-13

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US10248760B2 (en) System and method for producing medical image data onto portable digital recording media
US6810149B1 (en) Method and system for cataloging images
US5848202A (en) System and method for imaging and coding documents
JP4444841B2 (ja) 調査システムおよび調査方法
US7653702B2 (en) Method for automatically associating contextual input data with available multimedia resources
US20210272176A1 (en) Motor Vehicle Data Retrieval, Processing and Presentation System and Method
US20030042319A1 (en) Automatic and semi-automatic index generation for raster documents
US20010034667A1 (en) System and method of bringing merchants on-line
JP2814461B2 (ja) 電子カタログ装置
EP0843284B1 (fr) Méthode et système de génération d'images à imprimer et support d'enregistrement
CA2633535A1 (fr) Extraction de donnees de formulaire sans personnalisation
US20020180764A1 (en) Method and system for digital image management
US20100220360A1 (en) System and method for printing books by book identification
US6825854B1 (en) Method for image management of X-ray images
JP5479230B2 (ja) 情報表示プログラム、情報表示プログラムを記録したコンピュータ読み取り可能な記録媒体、情報表示方法、情報表示装置及び情報提供システム
WO2001031546A2 (fr) Procede et appareil destines a l'acquisition et a la fourniture de donnees d'inventaire
JPH11296593A (ja) 画像印刷注文システムおよび方法
US20070122062A1 (en) Method and system for processing employment related images
US20030163390A1 (en) Method of searching and ordering books via the internet
JPH0833898B2 (ja) 電子カタログ装置
JP2002290703A (ja) プリント注文処理装置、方法、そのプログラムを記録したコンピュータ読み取り可能な記録媒体及びプログラム
JP2001134603A (ja) 画像データ検索システムおよび画像データ検索方法および記録媒体
JP2001034671A (ja) 商標登録出願願書作成装置ならびに商標登録出願願書を作成するためのプログラムを記憶した記憶媒体
JP5058455B2 (ja) 業務支援システム及び業務支援プログラム
JP2003030581A (ja) 情報提供システム

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY BZ CA CH CN CR CU CZ CZ DE DE DK DK DM DZ EE EE ES FI FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SK SL TJ TM TR TT TZ UA UG US UZ VN YU ZA ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ TZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY BZ CA CH CN CR CU CZ CZ DE DE DK DK DM DZ EE EE ES FI FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SK SL TJ TM TR TT TZ UA UG US UZ VN YU ZA ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ TZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase
NENP Non-entry into the national phase in:

Ref country code: JP