Method and system of communication for automated inventory systems

Abstract

Various embodiments of this invention are directed towards the communication infrastructure of an automated inventory system, on which the necessary communication between a dispensing unit and an administrative unit of the system occurs. To facilitate the integration of the automated inventory system into the client's computer network, the infrastructure is preferably implemented using hypertext transfer protocol (http) or its secured counterpart (https). In certain embodiments the administrative unit is located external to the client's network, beyond the client's firewall. In these embodiments it is preferable to have the dispensing unit initiate communication with the administrative units because the firewall is typically setup to reject external connection requests.

1 . A method of communication between a dispensing unit and an administrative unit of an automated inventory system, comprising: 
 dispensing a quantity of an item in a transaction by said dispensing unit;    collecting transaction data by said dispensing unit;    establishing a communication connection to said administrative unit by said dispensing unit; and    transferring said transaction data to said administrative unit from said dispensing unit.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said step of collecting transaction data occurs contemporaneously with dispensing a quantity of an item.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , additionally comprising the step of tabulating said transaction data.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said step of tabulating said transaction data is performed by said administrative unit.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said step of tabulating said transaction data is performed by said dispensing unit before said step of transferring said transaction data to said administrative unit.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , additionally comprising the step of transferring user data and item data between said dispensing unit and said administrative unit.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , additionally comprising the steps of transferring a file with at least one command from said administrative unit to said dispensing unit and executing said command by said dispensing unit.  
     
     
         8 . An automated inventory system, comprising: 
 an administrative unit; and    a dispensing unit configured to: 
 dispense a quantity of an item;  
 maintain a record of said quantity of said item;  
 establish a communication connection to said administrative unit; and  
 transfer said record to said administrative unit.  
   
     
     
         9 . The automated inventory system of  claim 8 , wherein said dispensing unit is further configured to identify a user.  
     
     
         10 . The automated inventory system of  claim 8 , wherein said administrative unit is configured to monitor an availability of said item in said dispensing unit.  
     
     
         11 . The automated inventory system of  claim 10 , wherein said administrative unit is further configured to generate a warning when said availability reaches an amount defined as an inventory management level associated with said item.  
     
     
         12 . The automated inventory system of  claim 10 , wherein said administrative unit is further configured to reorder said item when said availability reaches an amount defined as an inventory management level associated with said item.  
     
     
         13 . The automated inventory system of  claim 12 , wherein said administrative unit is managed by a vendor of said item.  
     
     
         14 . The automated inventory system of  claim 8 , further comprising a plurality of other dispensing units.  
     
     
         15 . The automated inventory system of  claim 14 , wherein said dispensing unit is further configured to point out other dispensing units where said item is available if said item is unavailable at said dispensing unit.  
     
     
         16 . The automated inventory system of  claim 15 , wherein said administrative unit is configured to modify a user's access rights.  
     
     
         17 . The automated inventory system of  claim 8 , additionally comprising a communication infrastructure.  
     
     
         18 . The automated inventory system of  claim 17 , wherein said communication infrastructure comprises a client's computer network.