Proximity-based inventory management system using RFID tags to aid in dispensing and restocking inventory

An apparatus comprising:

• a processor configured to operate a software application, the software application being configured to receive selection of a number of discrete groups into which to divide a plurality of identified products, the products being located at respective storage locations in a collection of storage locations, wherein the software application being configured to receive selection of a number of discrete groups includes being configured to receive selection of a number of users,
• wherein the software application is configured to divide the identified products into discrete groups such that areas of the resulting groups of products at respective storage locations are substantially non-overlapping, and wherein the software application is configured to divide the identified products into discrete groups including numbers of products determined based upon efficiency ratings associated with respective users, at least one group including a greater number of products than at least one other group.

An apparatus comprising:

• a processor configured to operate a software application, the software application being configured to assign discrete groups of products to respective workstation computers, the products being located at respective storage locations in a collection of storage locations, discrete groups having been formed by dividing a plurality of identified products such that the areas of the resulting groups of products at respective storage locations are substantially non-overlapping in a plane normal to a plane traversed by users to access the respective storage locations in the collection of storage locations,
• wherein the processor is configured to assign discrete groups of products to respective workstation computers each of which is configured to generate and transmit, for each of one or more of the products of a respective group, a signal to a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag associated with the storage location of the respective product to thereby direct the RFID tag to generate a notification signal.

A method comprising:

• receiving selection of a number of discrete groups into which to divide a plurality of identified products, the products being located at respective storage locations in a collection of storage locations;
• and
• dividing the identified products into discrete groups such that the areas of the resulting groups of products at respective storage locations are substantially non-overlapping in a plane normal to a plane traversed by users to access the respective storage locations in the collection of storage locations.

A method comprising:

• receiving selection of a number of discrete groups into which to divide a plurality of identified products, the products being located at respective storage locations in a collection of storage locations, wherein receiving selection of a number of discrete groups comprises receiving selection of a number of users;
• and
• dividing the identified products into discrete groups such that areas of the resulting groups of products at respective storage locations are substantially non-overlapping, wherein dividing the identified products comprises dividing the identified products into discrete groups including numbers of products determined based upon efficiency ratings associated with respective users, at least one group including a greater number of products than at least one other group.

A computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code portions stored therein, the computer-readable program code portions comprising:

• a first executable portion configured to receive selection of a number of discrete groups into which to divide a plurality of identified products, the products being located at respective storage locations in a collection of storage locations;
• and
• a second executable portion configured to divide the identified products into discrete groups such that the areas of the resulting groups of products at respective storage locations are substantially non-overlapping in a plane normal to a plane traversed by users to access the respective storage locations in the collection of storage locations.

A computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code portions stored therein, the computer-readable program code portions comprising:

• a first executable portion configured to receive selection of a number of discrete groups into which to divide a plurality of identified products, the products being located at respective storage locations in a collection of storage locations, wherein the first executable portion being configured to receive selection of a number of discrete groups includes being configured to receive selection of a number of users;
• and
• a second executable portion configured to divide the identified products into discrete groups such that areas of the resulting groups of products at respective storage locations are substantially non-overlapping, wherein the second executable portion is configured to divide the identified products into discrete groups including numbers of products determined based upon efficiency ratings associated with respective users, at least one group including a greater number of products than at least one other group.