Patent ID: 7938324
Filing Date: 2011-05-10
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method for counting stock stored in hierarchical levels at a facility comprising: receiving count initiation information at a counting module, the count initiation information: (i) comprising at least one parameter identifying stock to be counted, and (ii) identifying a particular hierarchical level from among a hierarchy of levels, the levels of the hierarchy except for a highest-level of the hierarchy being lower-levels of the hierarchy, the levels of the hierarchy except for a lowest-level of the hierarchy being higher-levels of the hierarchy, each level of the hierarchy assigned a type of logistic unit from among different types of logistic units, a type of logistic unit for the particular hierarchical level being different than a type of logistic unit for at least one other of the levels, each of the logistic units physically including stock, and the logistic units for the levels of the hierarchy being nested so that: (i) logistic units assigned to any of the lower-levels of the hierarchy are spatially included in at least one logistic unit assigned to one of the higher-levels of the hierarchy, and (ii) logistic units assigned to any of the higher-levels of the hierarchy spatially include at least one logistic unit assigned to one of the lower-levels of the hierarchy, wherein the logistic unit for the particular hierarchical level has associated therewith a quantity value corresponding to a predetermined quantity of stock; requesting a count of the stock: (i) that includes a physical count of the logistic unit for the particular hierarchical level, and (ii) that does not include a physical count of types of logistic units for levels from the hierarchy other than the particular hierarchical level; in response to the request, receiving a stock quantity for the particular hierarchical level that was generated based on the physical count of the logistic unit for the particular hierarchical level and the quantity value for the particular hierarchal level; determining that a deviation between the received stock quantity and an expected stock quantity exceeds a predetermined threshold; selecting, in response to determining that the deviation exceeds the predetermined threshold, another level of the hierarchy that is assigned a type of logistic unit that is spatially included in the type of logistic unit that is assigned to the particular hierarchical level; and requesting a second count of the stock: (i) that includes a physical count of the logistic unit for the other level of the hierarchy, and (ii) that does not include a physical count of types of logistic units for levels from the hierarchy other than the other level of the hierarchy.