# US 2009/0276084 A1 · Targeted product distribution system and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2009/0276084 A1 - Document ID: US20090276084A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/358,167 - Filed: 2009-01-22 - Published: 2009-11-05 - Earliest claimed: 2008-01-22 - Assignees: Walgreen Co. - Law Department - Inventors: Vinayak Pandit; Brian Amend; Louie Chin; Jeffrey Elliott; Kathy Emery; Gaurav Hasija; Maureen Isidoro; Lionel Ng; Doug Peterson; Todd Steffen; Patrick Sullivan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20090276084A1 ## CPC - B65G 1/1373: {for fulfilling orders in warehouses} - B65G 1/0485: {Check-in, check-out devices} - B65G 1/1371: {with data records} - G06Q 10/08: Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management - G06Q 10/087: Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders - G06Q 10/08744: {by distributed inventory management} - B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D) - 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 A targeted product distribution system is described herein with respect to an exemplary management of product flow through a distribution center. Specifically, the system and method described herein is directed to the management and display of direct and easily-understood instructions, such that average individuals, as well as those with mental disabilities, will be able to contribute equally to the overall process. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of identifying and correcting errors associated with a case to allow automatic conveyance of the case throughout a distribution center, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a signal at a central computer indicating that an error is associated with a case that will prevent the case from being automatically conveyed about the distribution center; storing information related to the case and the error associated therewith in a database associated with the central computer; transmitting from the central computer a first conveying signal for diverting the case from a normal workflow and conveying the case to a workstation for correction of the error; receiving object identifier information originating from an object identifier located on the case from a least one of a bed scanner, a handheld scanner, a keyboard and a touch-screen monitor; storing the object identifier information in the database associated with the central computer; determining at the central computer a first set of instructions to transmit to the touch-screen monitor associated with the workstation and in communication with the central computer, the first set of instructions comprising a proper method of correcting the error associated with the case, based on information in the database; transmitting the first set of instructions to the touch-screen monitor, for display on the touch-screen monitor; receiving at the central computer a confirmation signal from a user that the instructions have been implemented; updating the database with correction information including information relating to correction of the error; and transmitting a second conveying signal from the central computer for conveying the case back to normal workflow within the distribution center. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the workstation comprises a remote computer connected to the central computer, and wherein the handheld scanner, the bed scanner, the keyboard and the touch-screen monitor are all connected to the remote computer. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first set of instructions are only text. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first set of instructions are only graphics. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first set of instructions are only pictures without text. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first set of instructions are a combination of graphics and text. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first set of instructions are a combination of pictures and text. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of displaying on the touch-screen monitor only a title readout, a case information area, an instruction area, a message window, a logout button, a lane complete button, an item ok button, a damaged item button, a dirty tub button, a damaged tub button, a tub hospital button, a refresh button, a mismatch item button, a carrier information button, and the first set of instructions in the message window. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of confirming that the object identifier information accurately identifies and describes the cases. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of automatic scanners and scales are distributed throughout the distribution center, wherein each of the plurality of scanners and scales is connected to the central computer, and wherein each of the plurality of scanners and scales is configured to send a signal to the central computer indicating that an error is associated with a case. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of correcting the error associated with the case. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the steps of: receiving a training signal at the central computer indicating that a training mode has been entered into at the workstation; transmitting a second set of instructions from the central computer to the workstation for display on the touch-screen monitor; receiving at the central computer inputs from the user indicating various actions that have been taken with the products; comparing the inputs received from the user with predetermined comparison data stored in the database at the central computer; determining whether the correct actions were taken with respect to the products based on a comparison of the inputs with the predetermined comparison data stored in the database; transmitting a results signal to the workstation indicating whether the actions taken were correct; and receiving a completed signal at the central computer, indicating that the correct actions were taken with the products. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method as set forth in claim 12, wherein the products are conveyed away from the workstation only after the completed signal has been received. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method as set forth in claim 12, wherein a supervisor enters the release signal after confirming that the correct actions have been taken with the products ### Claim 15 A method of identifying and correcting errors associated with a case to allow automatic conveyance of the case throughout a distribution center, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a signal at a central computer indicating that an error is associated with a case that will prevent the case from being automatically conveyed about the distribution center; storing information related to the case and the error associated therewith in a database associated with the central computer; transmitting from the central computer a first conveying signal for diverting the case from a normal workflow and conveying the case to a workstation for correction of the error; receiving object identifier information originating from an object identifier located on the case from a least one of a bed scanner, a handheld scanner, a keyboard and a touch-screen monitor; confirming that the object identifier information accurately identifies and describes the cases; storing the object identifier information in the database associated with the central computer; determining at the central computer a first set of instructions to transmit to the touch-screen monitor associated with the workstation and in communication with the central computer, the first set of instructions comprising a proper method of correcting the error associated with the case, based on information in the database; transmitting the first set of instructions to the touch-screen monitor, for display on the touch-screen monitor; correcting the error associated with the case based on the information contained in the first set of instructions; receiving at the central computer a confirmation signal from a user that the instructions have been implemented; updating the database with correction information including information relating to correction of the error; and transmitting a second conveying signal from the central computer for conveying the case back to normal workflow within the distribution center. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the workstation comprises a remote computer connected to the central computer, and wherein the handheld scanner, the bed scanner, the keyboard and the touch-screen monitor are all connected to the remote computer. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the first set of instructions are only text. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the first set of instructions are only graphics. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the first set of instructions are only pictures without text. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the first set of instructions are a combination of graphics and text. ### Claim 21 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the first set of instructions are a combination of pictures and text.