Patent ID: 8374924
Filing Date: 2013-02-12
Classification: B65G,G06Q

Abstract:
1. A method of converting received products to a transportable form for automatic conveyance about a distribution center, the method comprising the steps of: transmitting from a central computer a first conveying signal to convey products to a trash removal workstation to convert the products to a transportable form; receiving a signal at the central computer indicating that the products have arrived at the trash removal workstation, wherein a touchscreen monitor associated with the trash removal workstation is in communication with the central computer; receiving product identifier information originating from a product identifier located on each product from at least one of a bed scanner, a handheld scanner, a keyboard and the touchscreen monitor; storing the product identifier information in a database associated with the central computer; for each identified product, determining at the central computer a first set of instructions to transmit to the touchscreen monitor, the first set of instructions comprising information on how to remove trash associated with the identified product and properly convert the identified product to a transportable form, wherein the first set of instructions is determined based on at least the product identifier information associated with the identified product; transmitting from the central computer the first set of instructions for displaying the first set of instructions on the touch-screen monitor; receiving at the central computer a confirmation signal from a user that the first set of instructions have been implemented; and transmitting from the central computer a second conveying signal to convey the products away from the trash removal workstation.