IP Library Patent Application 11279330
Patent Application
App. No. 11/279,330

System and software for processing containers having tools with associated transmitters

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
11/279,330
Abstract

A software method may include receiving scan data from a device after the device retrieves a readable code from a container, the container having at least one transmitter contained therein, processing the scan data to generate a container code based on the readable code, receiving a signal from the at least one transmitter, the signal including identification information, generating a transaction code based on the container code and the identification information, and instructing the device to transmit the transaction code to a processing device.

Claims (51)

1 . A software method comprising:

receiving scan data from a device after the device retrieves a readable code from a container, the container having at least one transmitter contained therein;

processing the scan data to generate a container code based on the readable code;

receiving a signal from the at least one transmitter, the signal including identification information;

generating a transaction code based on the container code and the identification information; and

instructing the device to transmit the transaction code to a processing device.

2 . The software method of claim 1 , wherein processing the scan data further comprises:

instructing the device to display in a user interface whether the device successfully retrieved the readable code.

3 . The software method of claim 2 , wherein the user interface displays a message indicating that the device did not successfully retrieve the readable code.

4 . The software method of claim 1 , wherein processing the scan data further comprises:

queuing the container code in a queue.

5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving a response code from the processing device

6 . The method of claim 5 , further comprising:

generating a response indicator based on the response code.

7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the response indicator includes one or more selecting from the group consisting of: an audible cue, a visual cue, a vibrational cue, color coded data, a processing order, an error message, destination information, and combinations thereof.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the identification information includes one or more selecting from the group consisting of: a Universal Product Code, a product name, a unique identification number, a processing order, a shipping date, a received date, a number of usages, a manufacturer, a number of uses, a number of sterilizations, a last sterilization date, a last usage date, a point of origin, a destination, a number of refurbishments, an age, previous user information, usage date information, and combinations thereof.

9 . A software method for a processing device comprising:

receiving a transaction code transmitted from a device, the transaction code including data corresponding to a container code of a container and identification information of a transmitter associated with the container;

updating a database table based on the container code and the identification information;

generating a response code based on information stored in the database table, the response code being usable by the device to generate a response indicator for processing the container; and

transmitting the response code to the device.

10 . The software method according to claim 9 , wherein the response code includes one or more selected from the group consisting of: shipment information, an expected number of transmitters, required processing information, a processing order, storage information, an error code, and combinations thereof.

11 . The software method according to claim 9 , wherein the database table stores a previous transaction code received from the device.

12 . The software method according to claim 10 , further comprising:

comparing the previous transaction code with the transaction code to generate comparison information.

13 . The software method according to claim 12 , further comprising:

generating the response code based on the comparison information.

14 . A system comprising:

an access point,

a container, the container comprising a readable code and having at least one transmitter contained therein;

a device, the device being adapted to retrieve the readable code and being adapted to generate a wireless signal and to receive a response signal transmitted from the transmitter in response to the wireless signal, the device being adapted to generate a transaction code based on the readable code and the response signal, and to transmit the transaction code to the access point.

15 . The system according to claim 14 , further comprising:

a database, wherein the access point is adapted to transmit the transaction code to the database and the database is adapted to process the transaction code and to generate a response code based on the transaction code.

16 . The system according to claim 15 , wherein device comprises a wireless communication device and a scanning device.

17 . The system according to claim 14 , wherein the device is a handheld device.

18 . The system according to claim 14 , wherein the device includes a display.

19 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the device wirelessly exchanges data with the access point.

20 . The system of claim 14 , further comprising:

a server, wherein the server receives the transaction code from the access point across a network.

21 . One or more computer-readable media having computer-readable instructions thereon which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to:

receive scan data from a device after the device retrieves a readable code from a container, the container having at least one transmitter contained therein;

process the scan data to generate a container code based on the readable code;

receive a signal from the at least one transmitter, the signal including identification information;

generate a transaction code based on the container code and the identification information; and

instruct the device to transmit the transaction code to a processing device.

22 . One or more computer-readable media having computer-readable instructions thereon which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to:

receive a transaction code transmitted from a device, the transaction code including data corresponding to a container code of a container and identification information of a transmitter associated with the container;

update a database table based on the container code and the identification information;

generate a response code based on information stored in the database table, the response code being usable by the device to generate a response indicator for processing the container; and

transmit the response code to the device.

Assignments (2)
MERGER Recorded Jul 13, 2007
From: SDGI HOLDINGS INC.
To: WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC, INC.
Reel/Frame 019550/0867 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 11, 2006
From: CAMBRE, CHRISTOPHER; HOLMES, MARNITA; VARNER, ROBERT; TETHRAKE, STEVEN
To: SDGI HOLDINGS, INC.
Reel/Frame 017455/0870 →