Patent ID: 6393339
Filing Date: 2002-05-21
Classification: G07F

Abstract:
A computerized stock control system having:a) a central computer device for controlling a central part of the system b) at least one dispensing station where stock can be dispensed, c) an output means from which reports can be generated concerning stock, d) a software program controlling said computer device for controlling the central part of the system; said at least one dispensing station including user identification means, and stock identification output means to provide identification of stock to be dispensed from said dispensing station and stock identification input means to provide identification of stock which is passed into said dispensing station for subsequent dispensing, dispensing station computing means connected with said user identification means and said input means, and a software program for controlling said dispensing station computing means, said dispensing station computing means being coupled with said central computer device to pass stock and user data therebetween; said system operating such that when stock is passed into said dispensing station, said stock identification input means is used to obtain data relating to the stock being passed, and when stock is required to be dispensed a user must enter user identification data through said user identification means and be acknowledged by the dispensing station computing means as an authorized person to dispense stock to and said user must also enter identification data of stock to be dispensed through said stock identification output means which then clears the system for dispensing the requested stock, said dispensing station computing means logging the user identification data and the identification data of stock to be dispensed and conveying that data to said central computer device, said central computer device processing that data and providing a report via said output means concerning stock dispensing, said at least one dispensing station being a refrigerated cabinet for holding a variety of stock that needs to be maintained refrigerated, said at least one dispensing station having a motor driven carousel on to which a variety of individual stock items can be stored, said dispensing station computing means controlling said motor driven carousel and a selecting means for selecting stock to be dispensed, so that following selection of stock from said variety of stock, both said motor driven carousel and said selecting means will be operated to dispense the selected stock.