GB2364148A

GB2364148A - Stock taking system

Info

Publication number: GB2364148A
Application number: GB0026631A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Mitchinson
Original assignee: LINBURN TECHNOLOGY Ltd
Current assignee: LINBURN TECHNOLOGY Ltd
Priority date: 1999-11-02
Filing date: 2000-11-01
Publication date: 2002-01-16
Also published as: GB0026631D0; GB9925811D0

Abstract

A stock taking system comprises a portable data logging device 12 and a host data processing system 10. An initial stock logging operation establishes a stock record on the host system which is subsequently updated when the user is prompted to log particular items on the basis of the stock record. The logging device and host may be adapted to use two way radio communication. A signal may be sent by the host system to prompt the user. The logging device may log data regarding the contents of broken or partly used stock items such as bottles. A barcode reader may be provided. The system may calculate the amount of product remaining based on measured depth of contents and barcode data indicating product information such as dimensions of the bottle. The system may communicate with remote systems to obtain updated product information.

Description

2364148 1 "Stock Control Systems" 2 3 The present invention relates to

stock control systems.

4 Preferred embodiments of the invention are particularly suited for use in implementing stock control procedures 6 in the context of licensed premises.

7 8 It is an object of the present invention to provide 9 stock control systems which are simple, efficient and error-resistant It is a further object of the 11 invention to provide stock control systems which are 12 particularly suited for use in licensed premises.

13 14 In the following, the term "broken stock" refers to consumable stock items which have been opened 16 ("broken") and partially consumed; e g bottles of 17 liquor in licensed premises such as a bar.

18 19 In accordance with the invention there is provided a stock control system comprising:

21 a portable data-logging device for collecting data 22 relating to stock items; and 1 a host data-processing system adapted to cooperate 2 with said data-logging device for processing data 3 received from said data-logging device; wherein 4 means are provided for performing an initial stock 6 logging operation whereby an initial stock record is 7 established on said host system; and 8 said data-logging device and host system are 9 further adapted for performing subsequent stock logging operations wherein a user of the portable data-logging 11 device is prompted by the data-logging device to log 12 data relating to particular stock items, on the basis 13 of an existing stock record, and the existing stock 14 record is updated on the basis of data logged by the user in response to said prompts.

16 17 Preferably, said data logging device and said host 18 system are adapted for two-way wireless communication 19 one with the other.

21 Preferably also, the host system transmits signals to 22 the data-logging device, based on an existing stock 23 record stored on the host system, for prompting the 24 user.

26 Preferably, the data-logging device is adapted to log 27 data regarding the contents of broken stock items.

29 Preferably, said host data-processing system is adapted to communicate with a remote database system in order 31 to obtain updated product data and to request specific 32 product data.

2 Preferably also, said remote database system is adapted 3 to communicate with product manufacturers to obtain 4 updated product data.

6 The invention further embraces apparatus adapted for 7 implementing the system and methods of operating the 8 system.

9 Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by 11 way of example only, with reference to the accompanying 12 drawings, in which:

13 14 Fig 1 is a block diagram illustrating a basic stock control system embodying the invention; and 16 17 Fig 2 is a block diagram illustrating an extension of 18 the basic system of Fig 1.

19 Referring now to the drawings, a stock control system 21 in accordance with the invention comprises a host data 22 processing system 10 and a portable (hand-held) data- 23 logging device 12 The host system 10 may be of any 24 suitable type, including a personal computer, EPOS (electronic point of sale) till etc In this example, 26 the host system is a computer system including a CPU 27 12, local file storage means 14, keyboard 16 and VDU 28 18; i e a substantially conventional personal computer 29 system In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the host system 10 further includes bi-directional 31 wireless communications means 20 (preferably radio) for 32 communicating with the data-logging device 12 and means 1 22, such as modem, for connecting the host system 10 to 2 a wider data network, such as the Internet.

3 4 The data-logging device 12 may be any suitable portable device adapted to collect alpha-numeric data and to 6 download/upload data to/from the host system 12 Such 7 a device will typically include a CPU 24, keypad 26 and 8 display 28 In the preferred embodiments of the 9 invention, the device 12 further includes bi- directional wireless communications means 30 11 (preferably radio) for communicating with the host 12 system 10 In the particularly preferred embodiments 13 of the invention, the device 12 includes barcode 14 reading means 32 and means 34 for measuring the contents of broken stock (particularly bottles) Most 16 particularly, it is preferred that the device 12 17 comprises a data-logging device of the type disclosed 18 in co-pending International Patent Application No 19 PCT/GB 99/03216, the disclosure whereof is incorporated herein by reference This device includes a barcode 21 reader and means for measuring the depth of the 22 contents of a broken stock item such as a bottle The 23 system determines the content of broken stock by 24 correlating this depth with data relating to the container, based on the barcode, in order to calculate 26 the volume of the container contents.

27 28 The system operates by using the device 12 to collect 29 data identifying stock items and quantities and updating a master stock record maintained on the host 31 system 10 In the preferred embodiments, stock data is 32 collected using standard retail barcodes Stock data 1 may also be input to the device manually using the 2 keypad 26 Data relating to broken stock may be 3 collected using the content measuring means 34 in 4 association with the barcode reader and/or manually entered data It is particularly preferred that, while 6 in use, the device 12 is in constant, two-way wireless 7 communication with the host 10, such that barcode data 8 etc is communicated immediately to the host 10 and 9 that substantially all of the necessary data processing is performed by the host 10 This reduces the need for 11 on-board data storage and processing in the device 10.

12 However, it will be understood that data storage and 13 processing functions may be divided between the host 10 14 and device 12 in a variety of different ways.

Depending upon the particular scheme employed, data 16 transfer between the host 10 and device 12 may be 17 continuous or intermittent, and communication between 18 the host 10 and device 12 may be wireless (preferred) 19 or by means of a suitable cable connection.

21 The system operates by establishing an initial master 22 stock record, recording all of the necessary stock 23 control details at an initial point in time This 24 initial stock record is preferably established using the device 12 and host system 10, but could be 26 established by other means The master stock record is 27 then updated periodically using the device 12 and host 28 10 In accordance with the invention, the master 29 record is used to prompt a user of the device 10 to perform particular actions when collecting data to 31 update the master record; i e the user is prompted to 32 input data relating to existing items in the master 1 record and data relating to new items not previously 2 included in the record This allows updates to be 3 performed in an efficient and error-resistant manner.

4 In the preferred embodiment, the host system 10 stores 6 "local product" information regarding the relevant 7 range of stock, including barcode data and calibration 8 data for calculating the content of broken stock items, 9 enabling the stock record to be established and updated on the basis of data collected by the device 12 The 11 local product information can be added to as required 12 when the device 12 identifies products not already 13 included in the existing product records The local 14 product information can also be updated from other data sources, as shall be described in greater detail below.

16 17 In the preferred embodiments, signals prompting actions 18 by the user of the device 12 are transmitted from the 19 host system 10 to the device 12 in "real time" as the user collects data, based on the existing stock 21 information on the host Barcode data, manually input 22 data and measurements relating to broken stock are 23 transmitted from the device 12 to the host, and the 24 data processing necessary for updating the existing records is performed by the host As mentioned above, 26 depending on the manner in which the system is 27 implemented, similar data collection and processing 28 functions could be performed in different ways For 29 example, the prompt data could be uploaded to the device 12 prior to data collection and the collected 31 data stored in the device 12 for subsequent 32 downloading, or additional product and stock 1 information could be uploaded to the device 12 and some 2 or all of the data processing functions could be 3 performed by the device 12 However, the preferred 4 embodiments utilise wireless communications in order to minimise the data storage and processing required to be 6 performed by the device 12.

8 During the updating of previously collected data, the 9 prompts supplied to the user of the device 12 may, for example, identify stock items and require the user to 11 input corresponding numbers of those items currently in 12 stock This obviates the need for repeated barcode 13 reading and minimises the possibility of items being 14 missed or incorrectly entered.

16 In order for the system to operate as efficiently and 17 as accurately as possible, it is necessary for the 18 product information stored on the host system to be 19 complete and up to date For this purpose, the system may be extended to include additional data sources and 21 communication channels as illustrated in Fig 2 In 22 this example, the system employs the Internet for non- 23 local communications, but it will be understood that 24 other data communication systems could be employed for similar purposes.

27 In this example, the local host 10 is connected to the 28 Internet by any suitable means such as a modem 22 and 29 an Internet Access Provider (ISP) 36 Via the Internet, the host system communicates with a database 31 system 38 operated, for example, by a third party 1 agency, possibly the supplier of the local stock 2 control system.

3 4 A web site 40 may provide a user interface to the database system 38 In this example, the database 6 system 38 includes a master product database of barcode 7 data and associated product data, and a calibration 8 database 44 containing data related to particular 9 products for calculating the contents of broken stock from measurements taken using the hand held data 11 logging device 12 The database system 38 further 12 includes an electronic noticeboard 46 or the like, 13 allowing end users to communicate with the database 14 system 38, e g to request that data relating to particular products be added to the databases 42 and 16 44.

17 18 Product manufacturers preferably also communicate 19 directly with the database system 38 The manufacturer's computer system 48 is also connected to 21 the Internet, e g by a modem 50 This enables 22 manufacturers to supply updated product information 23 from their own product database 52 and to respond to 24 specific end user requests posted to the electronic notice board 46 of the database system 38.

26 27 The invention thus provides a local stock control 28 system as illustrated in Fig 1 which is easy to use, 29 error resistant and efficient The extension of the local system as illustrated in Fig 2 enables the data 31 employed by the system to be kept up to date in a 32 reliable and efficient manner.

2 Improvements and modifications may be incorporated 3 without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1 Claims

2 3 1 A stock control system comprising:

4 a portable data-logging device for collecting data relating to stock items; and 6 a host data-processing system adapted to cooperate 7 with said data-logging device for processing data 8 received from said data-logging device; wherein 9 means are provided for performing an initial stock logging operation whereby an initial stock record is 11 established on said host system; and 12 said data-logging device and host system are 13 further adapted for performing subsequent stock logging 14 operations wherein a user of the portable data-logging device is prompted by the data-logging device to log 16 data relating to particular stock items, on the basis 17 of an existing stock record, and the existing stock 18 record is updated on the basis of data logged by the 19 user in response to said prompts.

21 2 A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said data 22 logging device and said host system are adapted for 23 two-way wireless communication one with the other.

3 A system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein 26 the host system transmits signals to the data-logging 27 device, based on an existing stock record stored on the 28 host system, for prompting the user.

4 A system as claimed in any preceding claim, 31 wherein the data-logging device is adapted to log data 32 regarding the contents of broken stock items.

2 5 A system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the data- 3 logging device includes a barcode reader and means for 4 measuring the depth of the contents of a broken stock item such as a bottle.

6 7 6 A system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the data- 8 logging device and/or the host system is adapted to 9 determine the content of broken stock by correlating said depth with data relating to the container, based 11 on barcode data, in order to calculate the volume of 12 the container contents.

13 14 7 A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said host data-processing system is adapted to 16 communicate with a remote database system in order to 17 obtain updated product data and to request specific 18 product data.

19 8 A system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said 21 remote database system is adapted to communicate with 22 product manufacturers to obtain updated product data.

23 24 9 Stock control apparatus comprising:

a portable data-logging device for collecting data 26 relating to stock items; and 27 a host data-processing system adapted to store an 28 initial stock record and to cooperate with said data- 29 logging device for processing data received from said data-logging device; wherein 31 said data-logging device and host system are 32 further adapted for performing subsequent stock logging 1 operations wherein a user of the portable data-logging 2 device is prompted by the data-logging device to log 3 data relating to particular stock items, on the basis 4 of an existing stock record, and the existing stock record is updated on the basis of data logged by the 6 user in response to said prompts.

8 10 Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said data 9 logging device and said host system are adapted for two-way wireless communication one with the other.

11 12 11 Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, 13 wherein the host system is adapted to transmit signals 14 to the data-logging device, based on an existing stock record stored on the host system, for prompting the 16 user.

17 18 12 Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 11, 19 wherein the data-logging device is adapted to log data regarding the contents of broken stock items.

21 22 13 Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the 23 data-logging device includes a barcode reader and means 24 for measuring the depth of the contents of a broken stock item such as a bottle.

26 27 14 Apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the 28 data-logging device and/or the host system is adapted 29 to determine the content of broken stock by correlating said depth with data relating to the container, based 31 on barcode data, in order to calculate the volume of 32 the container contents.

2 15 Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 14, 3 further including a remote database system, wherein 4 said host data-processing system is adapted to communicate with said remote database system in order 6 to obtain updated product data and to request specific 7 product data.

8 9 16 Apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein said remote database system is adapted to communicate with 11 product manufacturers to obtain updated product data.

13 17 A method of performing stock control using a 14 portable data-logging device for collecting data relating to stock items and a host data-processing 16 system adapted to cooperate with said data-logging 17 device for processing data received from said data- 18 logging device; comprising:

19 performing an initial stock logging operation whereby an initial stock record is established on said 21 host system; and 22 using said data-logging device and host system for 23 performing subsequent stock logging operations wherein 24 a user of the portable data-logging device is prompted by the data-logging device to log data relating to 26 particular stock items, on the basis of an existing 27 stock record, and the existing stock record is updated 28 on the basis of data logged by the user in response to 29 said prompts.

1 18 A method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the data- 2 logging device is used to log data regarding the 3 contents of broken stock items.

19 A method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the data- 6 logging device is used to read barcode data and to 7 measure the depth of the contents of a broken stock 8 item such as a bottle.

20 A method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the data- 11 logging device and/or the host system determine the 12 content of broken stock by correlating said depth with 13 data relating to the container, based on barcode data, 14 in order to calculate the volume of the container contents.

17 21 A method as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 20, 18 wherein said host data-processing system communicates 19 with a remote database system in order to obtain updated product data and to request specific product 21 data.

23 22 A method as claimed in claim 21, wherein said 24 remote database system communicates with product manufacturers to obtain updated product data.

27 23 A stock control system substantially as 28 hereinbefore described with reference to the 29 accompanying drawings.

1 24 Stock control apparatus substantially as 2 hereinbefore described with reference to the 3 accompanying drawings.

25 A method of performing stock control substantially 6 as hereinbefore described with reference to the 7 accompanying drawings.