Inventory control system
The inventory control system includes a portable controller for receiving information relating to an item to be tracked by the inventory control system. The portable controller is in communication with a database that stores the information relating to the item. Preferably, the item includes a readable tag having a unique identification code affixed thereto. A sensor may monitor the general location of the tag after the item is entered into the inventory control system. Furthermore, a tag reader associated with the portable controller is able to pinpoint the specific location of the item via a laser-light beam within the area generally identified by the sensor.
1. An inventory control system, comprising:
a portable controller for receiving information relating to an item to be tracked by an inventory control system;
a database in communication with the portable controller for storing the information;
a readable tag having a unique identification code affixed to the item;
a sensor for monitoring a global location of the tag after the item is entered into the inventory control system; and
a tag reader associated with the portable controller to pinpoint a specific location of the item in an area generally identified by the sensor.
2. The inventory control system of claim 1 , wherein the portable controller includes indicia for directionally pinpointing the location of the readable tag.
3. The inventory control system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a GPS sensor.
4. The inventory control system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor includes a transmitter and a receiver in wireless communication with the portable controller.
5. The inventory control system of claim 1 , wherein the portable controller comprises a cell phone, a personal digital assistant, a smartphone, or a scanner.
6. The inventory control system of claim 5 , wherein the scanner comprises a barcode scanner or an RFID scanner.
7. The inventory control system of claim 2 , wherein the portable controller includes a pointer for directionally pinpointing the location of the readable tag.
8. The inventory control system of claim 7 , wherein the pointer comprises a laser-light beam, an arrow displayed on an LCD screen of the controller, or an infrared light beam.
9. The inventory control system of claim 3 , wherein the GPS sensor wirelessly communicates with a satellite system to identify the location of the readable tag via triangulation.
10. The inventory control system of claim 9 , wherein the GPS sensor operates at multiple frequencies distinguishable over one another.
11. The inventory control system of claim 10 , wherein the GPS sensor automatically switches to a new frequency when a conflicting frequency is detected.
12. The inventory control system of any of claims 1 - 6 , including a discard sensor for automatically communicating to the database that the item was removed from the inventory control system.
13. The inventory control system of claim 1 , wherein the portable controller is responsive to voice commands.
14. The inventory control system of claim 1 , including a printer for imparting information to the readable tag.
15. The inventory control system of any of claims 1 - 6 , wherein the database comprises a local database in the portable controller.
16. The inventory control system of claim 15 , including a backup database in remote communication with the portable controller.
17. The inventory control system of claim 1 or 6 , wherein the readable tag comprises an RFID chip and/or a barcode.
18. The inventory control system of claim 1 , including an alarm for conveying an audio or visual notification.
19. The inventory control system of claim 1 or 5 , wherein the portable controller includes a touch-sensitive LCD screen.