Targeted product distribution system and method
View Patent ↗A targeted product distribution system is described herein with respect to an exemplary management of product flow through a distribution center. Specifically, the system and method described herein is directed to the management and display of direct and easily-understood instructions, such that average individuals, as well as those with mental disabilities, will be able to contribute equally to the overall process.
1. A method of receiving, conveying, and storing products within a distribution center, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving, by a central computer, a product arrival signal indicating that the products have arrived at the distribution center, the products contained in a first container on a pallet including a plurality of containers;
if the plurality of containers on the pallet contain identical products, transmitting, from the central computer, a first pallet conveying signal for conveying the pallet to a pallet storage area; and
if the plurality of containers on the pallet do not contain identical products:
transmitting, from the central computer, a second pallet conveying signal for conveying the pallet to a check-in workstation;
receiving, by the central computer and from at least one of a first scanner, a first keyboard, and a first touch-screen monitor at the check-in workstation, first container identifier information originating from a first container identifier on the first container;
transmitting, by the central computer, a first container conveying signal for conveying the first container to a trash removal workstation;
receiving, by the central computer and from at least one of a second scanner, a second keyboard, and a second touch-screen monitor of the trash removal workstation, an indication that the first container has arrived at the trash removal workstation;
generating, by the central computer, instructions on how to remove trash associated with the first container and load the products included in the first container into a second different container, the instructions based at least in part on the first container identifier information;
transmitting, by the central computer, the instructions for displaying on the second touch-screen monitor;
receiving, by the central computer, a first completion signal indicating that the instructions have been completed; and
transmitting, by the central computer, a second container conveying signal for conveying the second container to a second storage area.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein each scanner is one selected from the group consisting of: a bed scanner, a handheld scanner, a wrist scanner, or an RFID tag scanner.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first container is a case and the second container is a tub.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining, by the central computer and based at least in part on the first container identifier information, second instructions on where to affix a second container identifier to the container at the check-in workstation and transmitting, by the central computer, the second instructions for displaying on the first touch-screen monitor.
5. The method of claim 3 , wherein receiving, by the central computer, the indication that the first container has arrived at the trash removal workstation comprises receiving, by the central computer, second container identifier information originating from the second container identifier.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving, by the central computer, an indication that the first container is damaged and transmitting, by the central computer, a remedial area conveying signal for conveying the first container to a remedial area.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving, by the central computer and from a photo eye, a height of the second container.
8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising determining, by the central computer, whether the height of the second container exceeds a maximum container height.
9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising, if the height of the second container exceeds the maximum container height, transmitting, by the central computer, a remedial area conveying signal for conveying the second container to a remedial area.
10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving, by the central computer and from a scale at the trash removal workstation, an indication that one of the products is on the scale.
11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising transmitting, by the central computer, the second container conveying signal for conveying the second container to the second storage area after receiving an indication that said one of the products has been removed from the scale.
12. A method of receiving, conveying, and storing products within a distribution center, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving, by a central computer, a product arrival signal indicating that the products have arrived at the distribution center, the products contained in a first container on a pallet;
transmitting, from the central computer, a pallet conveying signal for conveying the pallet to a check-in workstation;
receiving, by the central computer and from at least one of a first scanner, a first keyboard, and a first touch-screen monitor at the check-in workstation, first container identifier information originating from a first container identifier on the first container;
transmitting, by the central computer, a first container conveying signal for conveying the first container to a trash removal workstation;
receiving, by the central computer and from at least one of a second scanner, a second keyboard, and a second touch-screen monitor of the trash removal workstation, an indication that the first container has arrived at the trash removal workstation;
generating, by the central computer, instructions on how to remove trash associated with the first container and load the products included in the first container into a second different container, the instructions based at least in part on the first container identifier information;
transmitting, by the central computer, the instructions for displaying on the second touch-screen monitor;
receiving, by the central computer, a first completion signal indicating that the instructions have been completed; and
transmitting, by the central computer, a second container conveying signal for conveying the second container to a second storage area.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein each scanner is one selected from the group consisting of: a bed scanner, a handheld scanner, a wrist scanner, or an RFID tag scanner.
14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the first container is a case and the second container is a tub.
15. The method of claim 12 , further comprising determining, by the central computer and based at least in part on the first container identifier information, second instructions on where to affix a second container identifier to the container at the check-in workstation and transmitting, by the central computer, the second instructions for displaying on the first touch-screen monitor.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein receiving, by the central computer, the indication that the first container has arrived at the trash removal workstation comprises receiving, by the central computer, second container identifier information originating from the second container identifier.
17. The method of claim 12 , further comprising receiving, by the central computer, an indication that the first container is damaged and transmitting, by the central computer, a remedial area conveying signal for conveying the first container to a remedial area.
18. The method of claim 12 , further comprising receiving, by the central computer and from a photo eye, a height of the second container.
19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising determining, by the central computer, whether the height of the second container exceeds a maximum container height.
20. The method of claim 19 , further comprising, if the height of the second container exceeds the maximum container height, transmitting, by the central computer, a remedial area conveying signal for conveying the second container to a remedial area.
21. The method of claim 12 , further comprising receiving, by the central computer and from a scale at the trash removal workstation, an indication that one of the products is on the scale.
22. The method of claim 21 , further comprising transmitting, by the central computer, the second container conveying signal for conveying the second container to the second storage area after receiving an indication that said one of the products has been removed from the scale.