# US 2001/0027418 A1 · System and methods for on-line, real-time inventory display, monitoring, and control

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- Number: US 2001/0027418 A1
- Document ID: US20010027418A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 09/769,294
- Filed: 2001-01-26
- Published: 2001-10-04
- Earliest claimed: 2000-01-27
- Inventors: Ronald Fredrik Michael Johnson
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20010027418A1

## CPC

- G06Q 10/087: Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
- G06Q 10/0872: {using inventory planning}
- G06Q 10/0877: {by inventory control or reporting using inventory tracking or counting}
- G06Q 20/203: {Inventory monitoring}
- G06Q 10/0874: {Inventory fulfillment (shipping G06Q10/083)}
- 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

## Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed which allow on-line, real-time monitoring and control of inventory information. Inventory may be monitored through a web page or other database interface, thereby giving access to precise inventory information. Inventory information may be adjusted at various times throughout the receiving/order fulfillment/shipping process. Access to information stored in a database may be controlled on a user-by-user basis. By providing accurate, real-time inventory information to on-line customers, the present invention may improve customer service, give customers reasonable expectations, and help companies automate many of their shipping and receiving functions.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A real-time inventory management system comprising:
a database, for storing inventory information;
a communication interface, for providing access to said database, said interface communicating between a server and a client;
a server, for providing access to system accessible data, and for performing business logic on such data; and,
a client, for providing a user interface to the system.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The real-time inventory management system of claim 1, in which said server is comprised of a web server.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The real-time inventory management system of claim 1, in which said client is comprised of a web browser.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The real-time inventory management system of claim 1, further comprising a means of wireless communications between a client and a server.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The real-time inventory management system of claim 1, in which said client is comprised of a combination of a web browser and custom software for real-time inventory display.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The real-time inventory management system of claim 1, in which said client is comprised of a combination of a web browser and custom software for real-time inventory monitoring.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The real-time inventory management system of claim 1, in which said client is comprised of a combination of a web browser and custom software for real-time inventory control.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The real-time inventory management system of claim 1, in which said client is comprised of a combination of a web browser and custom software for real-time inventory display, monitoring, and control.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The real-time inventory management system of claim 1, in which said client includes a device capable of reading container labels.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The real-time inventory management system of claim 9, in which said client includes a barcode scanner.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The real-time inventory management system of claim 1, in which said client periodically receives or requests inventory updates from said server.

### Claim 12

A method of real-time inventory management, comprising the steps of:
recording orders and order properties, including quantities ordered, date ordered, anticipated delivery time, and anticipated delivery date in an inventory database;
recording any new or returned inventory arrivals, and incrementing corresponding on-hand inventory entries;
receiving purchase requests and placing corresponding inventory on reserve;
calculating inventory quantities available for delivery as a difference between quantity on-hand and quantity on reserve. decrementing both reserve and inventory totals upon shipment; and
providing user-appropriate inventory information when requested.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The real-time inventory management method of claim 12, in which said new inventory orders are entered through an accounting system.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The real-time inventory management method of claim 13, wherein said accounting system automatically updates an inventory database.

### Claim 15 (depends on 12)

The real-time inventory management method of claim 12, in which electronically readable codes corresponding to inventory items are read by a client as items are received or shipped.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The real-time inventory management method of claim 15, in which said electronically readable codes are Universal Product Code (UPC) codes.

### Claim 17 (depends on 12)

The real-time inventory management method of claim 12, in which said user-appropriate inventory information is displayed on a client.