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

US8006903B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• McKesson Automation, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Patrick Braun · Munningen, DE
• Joseph Sallustio · Pittsburgh, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 28, 2007
• Grant date: Aug 30, 2011
• Expiry date: Jul 30, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q10/087
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus is provided that includes a processor configured to operate a software application, which is configured to receive selection of a number of discrete groups into which to divide a plurality of identified products. The products are located at respective storage locations in a collection of storage locations. The software application is therefore 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. The software application is further configured to assign the 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 an associated RFID tag to thereby direct the RFID tag to generate a notification signal. A method and a computer program product for managing inventory are also provided.