# US 2019/0244164 A1 · Product relationship, recommendation, and inventory management systems, methods, and computer program products

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- Number: US 2019/0244164 A1
- Document ID: US20190244164A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 16/316,512
- Filed: 2017-07-13
- Published: 2019-08-08
- Earliest claimed: 2016-07-13
- Inventors: Joseph S. EMERT; Clark E. CHARLTON; Joshua B. EMERT
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190244164A1

## CPC

- G06Q 10/087: Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
- G06Q 10/0633: Workflow analysis
- G06Q 10/0639: Performance analysis of employees; Performance analysis of enterprise or organisation operations
- G06Q 10/08726: {for replenishment processing, procedures, or recommendations using forecasting or optimisation}
- G06Q 10/0877: {by inventory control or reporting using inventory tracking or counting}
- G06Q 30/02: Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
- G06Q 30/0201: Market modelling; Market analysis; Collecting market data
- G06Q 30/0631: {Recommending goods or services}
- 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, methods, and computer program products for web-based product relationship management, product recommendation, and product inventory management for the healthcare industry are described. The system (400; 500) and method (1400; 1500) includes uploading, displaying, and modifying product data from one or more medical device manufacturers. The system (400; 1500) and method (1400; 1500) includes relating products through user-created, criteria-based relation definitions by product type, and receiving product recommendations based on purchase history and/or usage statistics. The system (400; 500) and method (1400; 1500) includes managing inventory based on Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) tracking and scanning capable hardware.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A computerized method for product relationship, recommendation, and inventory management, the method comprising:
providing a graphical user interface to a user via an application server;
receiving a first product data provided by the user via the graphical user interface, wherein the first product data includes a first list of one or more attributes of a first product, and wherein each attribute is associated with predefined classifications;
comparing the first list of one or more attributes of the first product with a plurality of lists of one or more attributes for a plurality of product data stored in one or more databases;
automatically relating the first product data with at least one or more of the plurality of product data stored in the one or more databases based on a similarity of attributes;
generating a product relationship graph, wherein the product relationship graph indicates a relationship between the first product data and the at least one or more of the plurality of product data stored in the one or more databases;
storing the product relationship graph and the first product data in the one or more databases;
receiving a product recommendation request from the user via the graphical user interface, wherein the product recommendation request comprises a criteria selected by the user for a product recommendation;
generating, in response to the product recommendation request, the product recommendation by analyzing the plurality of product data stored in the one or more databases and the product relationship graph in accordance to the criteria selected by the user; and
managing inventory for a plurality of physical products corresponding to the plurality of product data based on Automated Identification and Data Capture, wherein the plurality of product data includes the received first product data, and wherein managing inventory for each of the plurality of physical products further comprising:
creating a product instance for a physical product, wherein the physical product is marked with a unique AIDC tag, and wherein the product instance indicates a current location of the physical product,
monitoring a location of the physical product marked with the AIDC tag using AIDC scanning capable devices, wherein the AIDC scanning capable devices are associated with inventory locations,
tracking the location of the physical product when an AIDC scanning capable device detects the AIDC tag, and
automatically updating the current location of the product instance associated with the physical product.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The computerized method of claim 1, wherein managing inventory for each of the plurality of physical products further comprises:
recording a usage confirmation of the physical product, wherein the usage confirmation is provided by a preauthorized user.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The computerized method of claim 2, wherein managing inventory for each of the plurality of physical products further comprises:
automatically ordering one or more products based on the product usage confirmation provided by the preauthorized user.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The computerized method of claim 1, wherein the predefined classifications are modified and additional classifications are added to the predefined classifications by the user.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The computerized method of claim 1, wherein the predefined classifications include one or more of tag(s), product number, text, universal classifiers, order classifiers, and product classifiers.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The computerized method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving a request from the user to view the plurality of product data on the one or more databases; and
in response to the request, displaying a list of the plurality of product data to the user through the graphic user interface.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The computerized method of claim 6, further comprising:
receiving a request from the user to modify a product data from the list of the plurality of product data; and
modifying the product data in the one or more databases.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The computerized method of claim 1, wherein creating the product instance for the selected product further comprising:
scanning an electronic product code for the unique AIDC tag; and
inputting the physical product expiration date, lot number, and Universal Device Identification number.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The computerized method of claim 1, wherein the product recommendation request further comprises past purchase data regarding the first product.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The computerized method of claim 9, wherein the product recommendation comprises an analysis based on cost efficiency.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The computerized method of claim 9, wherein the product recommendation comprises an analysis based on vendor optimization.

### Claim 12 (depends on 2)

The computerized method of claim 2, wherein the usage confirmation includes one or more of: quantity of product(s) used, Electronic Product Code, lot number, Universal Device Identification number, date submitted, name of submitter, shipping address of submitter, client, client identification, surgeon/physician name, surgery number, procedure, and notes.

### Claim 13

A system for product relationship, recommendation, and inventory management, the system comprising:
an application server configured to provide a graphical user interface to a user; and
a processing server coupled to the application server and comprising one or more processors, the processing server configured to:
receive a first product data provided by the user via the graphical user interface, wherein the first product data includes a first list of one or more attributes of a first product, and wherein each attribute is associated with predefined classifications;
compare the first list of one or more attributes of the first product with a plurality of lists of one or more attributes for a plurality of product data stored in one or more databases;
automatically relate the first product data with at least one or more of the plurality of product data stored in the one or more databases based on a similarity of attributes;
generate a product relationship graph, wherein the product relationship graph indicates a relationship between the first product data and the at least one or more of the plurality of product data stored in the one or more databases;
store the product relationship graph and the first product data in the one or more databases;
receive a product recommendation request from the user via the graphical user interface, wherein the product recommendation request comprises a criteria selected by the user for a product recommendation;
generate, in response to the product recommendation request, the product recommendation by analyzing the plurality of product data stored in the one or more databases and the product relationship graph in accordance to the criteria selected by the user; and
manage inventory for a plurality of physical products corresponding to the plurality of product data based on Automated Identification and Data Capture, wherein the plurality of product data includes the received first product data, and wherein managing inventory for each of the plurality of physical products further comprising:
create a product instance for a physical product, wherein the physical product is marked with a unique AIDC tag, and wherein the product instance indicates a current location of the physical product,
monitor a location of the physical product marked with the AIDC tag using AIDC scanning capable devices, wherein the AIDC scanning capable devices are associated with inventory locations,
track the location of the physical product when an AIDC scanning capable device detects the AIDC tag, and
automatically update the current location of the product instance associated with the physical product.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The system of claim 13, wherein managing inventory for each of the plurality of physical products further comprises:
record a usage confirmation of the physical product, wherein the usage confirmation is provided by a preauthorized user.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The system of claim 14, wherein managing inventory for each of the plurality of physical products further comprises:
automatically ordering one or more products based on the product usage confirmation provided by the preauthorized user.

### Claim 16 (depends on 13)

The system of claim 13, wherein the predefined classifications are modified and additional classifications are added to the predefined classifications by the user.

### Claim 17 (depends on 13)

The system of claim 13, wherein the predefined classifications include one or more of tag(s), product number, text, universal classifiers, order classifiers, and product classifiers.

### Claim 18 (depends on 13)

The system of claim 13, wherein the processing server is further configured to:
receive a request from the user to view the plurality of product data on the one or more databases; and
in response to the request, display a list of the plurality of product data to the user through the graphic user interface.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The system of claim 18, further comprising:
receive a request from the user to modify a product data from the list of the plurality of product data; and
modify the product data in the one or more databases.

### Claim 20 (depends on 13)

The system of claim 13, wherein creating the product instance for the selected product further comprising:
scan an electronic product code for the unique AIDC tag; and
input the physical product expiration date, lot number, and Universal Device Identification number.

### Claim 21 (depends on 13)

The system of claim 13, wherein the product recommendation request further comprises past purchase data regarding the first product.

### Claim 22 (depends on 21)

The system of claim 21, wherein the product recommendation comprises an analysis based on cost efficiency.

### Claim 23 (depends on 21)

The system of claim 21, wherein the product recommendation comprises an analysis based on vendor optimization.

### Claim 24 (depends on 14)

The system of claim 14, wherein the usage confirmation includes one or more of: quantity of product(s) used, Electronic Product Code, lot number, Universal Device Identification number, date submitted, name of submitter, shipping address of submitter, client, client identification, surgeon/physician name, surgery number, procedure, and notes.

### Claim 25

A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium storing a computer program for product relationship, recommendation, and inventory management, said computer program comprises code which when run by a processor causes the processor to:
provide a graphical user interface to a user;
receive a first product data provided by the user via the graphical user interface, wherein the first product data includes a first list of one or more attributes of a first product, and wherein each attribute is associated with predefined classifications;
compare the first list of one or more attributes of the first product with a plurality of lists of one or more attributes for a plurality of product data stored in one or more databases; automatically relate the first product data with at least one or more of the plurality of product data stored in the one or more databases based on a similarity of attributes;
generate a product relationship graph, wherein the product relationship graph indicates a relationship between the first product data and the at least one or more of the plurality of product data stored in the one or more databases;
store the product relationship graph and the first product data in the one or more databases;
receive a product recommendation request from the user via the graphical user interface, wherein the product recommendation request comprises a criteria selected by the user for a product recommendation;
generate in response to the product recommendation request, the product recommendation by analyzing the plurality of product data stored in the one or more databases and the product relationship graph in accordance to the criteria selected by the user and manage inventory for a plurality of physical products corresponding to the plurality of product data based on Automated Identification and Data Capture, wherein the plurality of product data includes the received first product data, and wherein managing inventory for each of the plurality of physical products further comprising:
create a product instance for a physical product, wherein the physical product is marked with a unique AIDC tag, and wherein the product instance indicates a current location of the physical product,
monitor a location of the physical product marked with the AIDC tag using AIDC scanning capable devices, wherein the AIDC scanning capable devices are associated with inventory locations,
track the location of the physical product when an AIDC scanning capable device detects the AIDC tag, and
automatically update the current location of the product instance associated with the physical product.