Methods and systems for unit of use product inventory
AssigneeExpress Scripts Strategic Development, Inc.
InventorCharles E. Eller
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Method and systems for product inventory are described. In one embodiment, an inventory surface unit retains a plurality of products in an unordered state. An inventory identification unit acquires information for an orientation, and location of the plurality of products on the inventory surface unit. The inventory identification unit is disposed above the inventory surface unit. An inventory pick unit is adapted to pick a product among the plurality of products from the inventory surface unit based on the orientation and location acquired by the inventory identification unit. The inventory pick unit is disposed proximal the inventory surface unit, and the inventory pick unit is communicatively connected to the inventory identification unit. Additional methods and systems are disclosed.
Claims20
A system comprising:
- an inventory surface unit to retain a plurality of products in an unordered state being free of a dedicated storage location, wherein the inventory surface unit includes a moveable surface that supports and moves the plurality of products positioned thereon at a velocity, the plurality of products in an unordered state including a variety of different product types;
- an inventory identification unit to acquire information for an orientation, the velocity, a location and a movement of the plurality of products, individually, moving on the moveable surface of the inventory surface unit, wherein the moveable surface is a continuous surface to repeatedly move at least one of the plurality of products;
- an inventory pick unit adapted to pick an individual product among the plurality of products from the inventory surface unit and being disposed proximal to the inventory surface unit, the inventory pick unit includes a programmable pick apparatus and a supplemental image camera connected to the programmable pick apparatus to assist the programmable pick apparatus;
- and
- a control subsystem communicatively connected to the inventory identification unit and the inventory pick unit, the control subsystem being adapted to process the acquired information for the orientation, the velocity, and the location from the inventory identification unit and instruct the inventory pick unit to pick the individual product with a product orientation, a product velocity, and a product location traveling at the velocity, wherein the product location depends on the movement of the moveable surface of the inventory surface unit.
A system, comprising:
- a moveable surface adapted to retain a plurality of packages in an unordered state being free of a logically controlled positioning, wherein the moveable surface is arranged to support and move the plurality of packages positioned on the moveable surface, wherein the moveable surface is adapted to support the plurality of packages having more than one of shapes and sizes, the moveable surface defining a closed-loop path along which the plurality of packages move such that the plurality of packages continuously recirculate along the closed-loop path when moved by the moveable surface;
- an identification device adapted to acquire information for an orientation, a location, and a velocity of the plurality of packages moving along the closed-loop path on the moveable surface, the identification device being disposed adjacent the closed-loop path defined by the moveable surface such that the plurality of packages repeatedly move past the identification device as the plurality of packages recirculate along the closed-loop path;
- a picker adapted to obtain an individual drug package among the plurality of packages from the moveable surface based on a package orientation, a package location, and a package velocity, the picker being disposed proximal to the moveable surface;
- and
- a controller communicatively connected to the identification device and the picker, the controller adapted to process the acquired information for the orientation the location, and the velocity from the identification device and to instruct the picker to pick the individual package at the package orientation and the package location traveling at the package velocity, wherein the package location and the package velocity depend on movement of the moveable surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.