Optical sensing-based inventory control systems and methods

US11961043B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Omnicell, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Anupam Kumar Dattamajumdar · Sunnyvale, US
• Herbert Lawson Fisher · Portola Valley, US
• John Alfred D'Costa · San Jose, US
• Rupert P. Robin · Tintagel, CA
• Brian Arnold · Capitola, US
• Sanandan Sudhir · Delhi, IN
• Shah Sohil Jayeshbhai · Sayla, IN

Key dates

• Filing date: May 19, 2022
• Grant date: Apr 16, 2024
• Expiry date: May 19, 2042

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02W90/00
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An inventory tracking system includes storage modules that hold one or more items. Each item is positionable at locations within the storage modules independent of physical characteristics of the item. Inventory monitoring modules are included to monitor storage modules for adding an item, retrieving an item, consuming of the item, returning an unused item, discarding at least a portion of a consumed item, or combinations thereof. Each act is used to determine information about items utilized in the act, including the location within the storage modules of the items. Each storage module updates a central inventory database about a location of the storage module, a revised inventory of the items stored within the storage modules, or both. The location of the storage modules, the revised inventory of the items stored within the storage modules, or both, is used to order a replenishment of the items held within the storage modules.