Abstract:
A computerized stock control system having a refrigerated carousel dispensing station. The dispensing station includes a user identification device, an article identification output device to provide identification of articles to be dispensed, and an article identification input device to provide identification of restocking articles prior to the dispensing process. The user must enter user identification data through the user identification device and be acknowledged by the dispensing station as an authorized user prior to the dispensing process. The user must also enter identification data of the article to be dispensed through the article identification output device which then clears the system for dispensing the requested article. The dispensing station logs the user identification data and the identification data of article(s) to be dispensed and conveys the data to a central computer. The central computer also provides reports via the output device concerning article dispensing.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a computerised stock control system and relates particularly but not exclusively to such for use in connection with dispensing of chemicals and/or drugs in research establishments, hospitals or the like. 
     DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART 
     Hitherto, stock which is to be dispensed such as chemicals and drugs at research establishments, hospitals or the like have been controlled manually either by an honor system by an individual requesting the stock or by a person who picks stock from a store. The prior systems have possessed a number of disadvantages. One of these disadvantages is that often, stock is dispensed without there being a genuine need for the stock to be used. In some environments, accurate records are not kept of stock usage and this has led generally to inefficiencies in stock control. Another disadvantage is that a particular individual or a department in which that individual works may have a particular budget. It has been very difficult in the past to accurately control and monitor the stock within the allocated budget. Another disadvantage is that, because of inefficiencies of records keeping, stock is not always replaced in a main store where the stock is picked until such time that the stock is exhausted or dangerously low in supply for the needs of the individual or department. Another disadvantage is that certain stock should be available only to selected persons and the required procedures to check this have been cumbersome. 
     OBJECT AND STATEMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention has been devised to attempt to alleviate one or more of the aforementioned problems. 
     Therefore according to a first broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a computerised stock control system comprising: 
     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 programme 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 input means to provide identification of stock to be dispensed from said dispensing station and also 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 authorised person to dispense stock to and said user must also enter identification data of stock to be dispensed through said stock identification 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. 
     Most preferably said user identification means must be activated by a person adding stock to said dispensing station so that data identifying that person can be acknowledged by the dispensing station computer means as an authorised stock adding person in order that the system will accept data from said input means which identifies stock being passed into said dispensing station. 
     Most preferably in one embodiment said dispensing station is an automated dispensing cabinet and wherein particular stock to be dispensed is selected amongst a variety of stock contained therein, said cabinet having selecting means responsive to an output from said dispensing station computing means said output being generated when the system is cleared for dispensing the requested stock and acting through dispensing means by automatically dispensing the requested stock. 
     Most preferably, in another embodiment, said dispensing station is a manual dispensing station where an authorised attendant manually picks stock to be dispensed in response to the system being cleared to dispense stock. 
     Most preferably the user identification data is used to check against authorisation records to determine particular stock that is allowed to be dispensed to that user and to determine stock that is not allowed to be dispensed to that user. 
     Most preferably said dispensing station user identification means comprises a reader means for reading user identification code on a user carried card. 
     Most preferably said user carried card contains not only a record of the user identification but data of budget amounts for that user, and said software at said dispensing station is able to interrogate said card to extract that data of budget amounts and calculate if requested stock is within the budget amount and to update the card with the remaining balance against budget after dispensing the requested stock. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     In order that the invention can be more clearly ascertained an example of a preferred embodiment for use in connection with dispensing bio-chemical materials will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is an overview schematic diagram showing a central computing device connected with a number of dispensing stations and a number of suppliers of bio-chemical products. 
     FIG. 2 is an overview block schematic diagram of the essential components at each dispensing station. 
     FIG. 3 is a front elevational view looking inside a refrigerated dispensing cabinet of a dispensing station. 
     FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of part of a carousel fitted within the refrigerated cabinet of FIG. 3, 
     FIG. 5 is a part diagrammatical view showing detail of how stock can be dispensed from the carousel. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing part of the dispensing carousel and a bag like container in which bio-chemicals are retained. 
     FIG. 7 is an overview system software function diagram. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring firstly to FIG. 1 there is shown an overview block diagram of a typical total system for use in dispensing bio-chemical stock. The system  1  has a central computing device  1  which may be provided at convenient premises completely remote from dispensing stations  3 . The dispensing stations  3  may be  1  through N in number. A number of suppliers  5  such as suppliers  1  through N for example, may be required to maintain stock at each of the dispensing stations  3 . Accordingly, it can be seen that each of the dispensing stations  3  is connected with the central computing device  1 , and that each of the suppliers  5  is also connected with the central computing device  1 . Particulars relating to usage and dispensing of stock at the dispensing stations  3  are coupled with the central computing device  1  so that stock and user data available from the dispensing stations  3  can be transferred to and held in the central computing device  1 . Each of the suppliers  5  is connected with the central computing device  1  so that each supplier  1  may interrogate the central computing device  1  concerning stock usage, and the central computing device  1  may relay information concerning such stock usage and other matters to each of the suppliers  5 . The system provides for management of stock usage and enables an interface to be provided between stock usage and suppliers. Suppliers can inquire on stock numbers and age of stock at a dispensing station by accessing the central computer device  1 . Stock usage can be controlled through use of automated dispensing stations that record the individual who has had a particular stock product dispensed and when that person had that stock dispensed, and restrict access to certain stock according to authorised stock dispensing for the particular person. The system can also track stock usage by, for example, department or project. 
     Thus, the central computing device  1  can be considered to have output means from which reports can be generated concerning stock. This output means may comprise output data lines from which data can be dispatched. The lines can be interrogated as a supplier interrogates the central computing device  1 . Alternatively or additionally, it may include a monitor screen and/or a printer device or any other form of output device from which reports can be generated. The central computing device  1  contains a software program for controlling the computer device. Each of the dispensing stations  3  includes computing means, to be referred to directly, which controls operations at each dispensing station  3 . Similarly, each supplier  5  has supplier computing means for controlling supplier interrogation and other matters relating to the system. 
     Typically, the interconnection between, the central computing device  1 , the computing device at dispensing stations  3 , and the computing device at the suppliers  5  is via the Internet. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2 there is shown a schematic overview diagram of the functional components at each dispensing station  3 . In the example described, each dispensing station  3  comprises a refrigerated cabinet in which the stock is stored. The refrigerated cabinet may, in fact, be a freezer and have appropriate means within the cabinet to arrange for selected stock to be dispensed. This will be described in due course. At the dispensing station  3  there is provided dispensing station computing means  7  which is comprised of two computing devices  9  and  11 . Computing device  9  comprises a central processing unit such as a 486 mini PC, and computing device  11  comprises an industrial PC such as a 486 type running Windows 95. Connected with the dispensing station computing means  7  is a user identification input means  13  which in this embodiment comprises a touch memory optical reading device for use with optical type smart cards. Stock identification input means  15  is provided in the form of a touch keypad. In a variation the stock identification means  15  could comprise a touch screen with suitable software displaying possible options for stock selection. A dispensing station display means  17  is provided to provide user interactivity with the computing means  7  and the user identification input means  13  and the stock identification input means  15 . Messages can be displayed on the display means  17  to step a user through the required input functions. Typically, the display means  17  comprises an LCD display. In the case where a touch screen is provided for the stock identification means  15 , the touch screen can display messages otherwise displayed on the display means  17 . In that event, the display means  17  may be dispensed with and all information otherwise displayed thereon then displayed on the touch screen. A stock identification input means  19  in the form of a bar-code reader is provided to identify stock as it is loaded into the dispensing station  3 . An output means  21  in the form of a printer is also provided. A modem communication device  23  is provided to convey data relating to the user and the stock to the central computing device  1  as a further output means. A temperature sensing device  25  is provided to measure the temperature within the dispensing station  3 . 
     Stock is dispensed from the dispensing station  3  by inputting stock identification through the stock identification input means  15 . That information is then processed by the dispensing station computing means  7  to log user identification data input through the user identification input means  13  and identification data of the stock requested to be dispensed so that it can be provided to the central computing device  1  via the modem  23 . Simultaneously with the input of identification data of stock to be dispensed, the dispensing station computing means  7  operates a stepping motor driver circuit  27  which, in turn, operates a motor means  29  and one or more solenoids connected to an I/O digital interface  31 . Typically, the motor  29  is operated to rotate a dispensing mechanism so that a required stock item can be placed in a position so that a solenoid can be activated to, in turn, push that stock item so that it can fall to a dispensing chute. This will be described in due course. A solenoid lock for the door of the dispensing station may be provided so that if a person authorised to add stock to the dispensing station inserts their identification card into the user identification input means  13 , the system will know that that person is a person authorised to load stock into the dispensing station  3 . Thus, the door of the refrigerated cabinet can be released to permit stock to be added as will be described in due course. 
     Referring now to FIG. 3 there is shown a front view of a typical dispensing station  3  with a front door not shown. It can be seen that a front panel  33  has the dispensing station display means  17  provided in an upper portion, the stock identification input means  15  below the dispensing station display means  17 , the user identification input means  13  along side the stock identification input means  15 , and an outlet for the printer  21  also below the display means  17 . A connector for the stock identification input means  19  is also provided on the panel  33 . LED lamps  20  to indicate normal temperature or low temperature and power on or off are also provided on the panel  33 . 
     Mounted within the cabinet  35  is a discharge slide chute  37  which catches stock as it falls by gravity from either a carousel  39  or a rack  41 . Stock  43  is shown suspended from the carousel  39  and stock  45  is shown stacked within the rack  41 . Solenoid pusher means to be described shortly push stock out of the carousel  39  or out of the rack  41  so that it can fall by gravity onto the upper portion of the chute  37  and slide down the chute  37  to be discharged through an opening in the front door of the cabinet  35 . 
     FIGS. 4,  5  and  6  show the arrangement of the carousel which is releasibly fastened into the cabinet  35  onto a drive shaft  47  of the motor means  29 . A pin or the like may be provided to permit releasible fastening of the carousel  39  relative to the draft shaft  47 . In other words, the carousel  39  is suspended from the draft shaft  47  and removal of the pin will enable the carousel to be removed from the cabinet  35  for restocking. The carousel  39  has two identical disks  49  which are provided with a plurality of radial slots  51  (only some of which have been numbered in FIG.  4 ). The stock  43  is retained within hanger bags  53  which may be sealed at their upper portion by a zip like sealing means  59  which provides extra bulk width to the bags  53  at the point of sealing. Other forms of sealing may be utilised but the zip bag sealing is one preferred arrangement. The slots are sufficiently wide to accommodate the thickness of the bag  53  but are smaller dimension than the width of the sealing means  59 . Thus, the bags  53  can be individually placed in each respective slot  51  and be suspended from the respective disks  49 . 
     FIG. 5 shows that the bags  53  are held by the disks  49  so that they are suspended therefrom. When stock  43  is required to be dispensed, the carousel  39  is rotated to align the required stock  43  with a solenoid operated kicker  57 . When the solenoid operated kicker  57  is activated under control of the dispensing station computing means  7 , it causes a kicker arm  59  to swing about pivot  61  to engage with a radially innermost portion of the bag  53 . Further swinging movement of the arm  59  causes the bag  53  to displace outwardly from the radially extending slots  51  and to fall by gravity into the chute  37  where the stock is dispensed. The stepping motor driving circuit  27  is also under control of the dispensing station computing means  7  so that it will index to the correct position to align the required stock with the kicker  57 . This can all be controlled by the computing means at the dispensing station  3 , knowing the stock provided at each of the slots  51 , and then stepping the motor  29  under software control to the required position for dispensing. 
     The stock  45  held in the racks  41  is displaced by operation of a similar kicker to kicker  59  so that the lowermost stock  45  in the stack falls by gravity onto the chute  37  for subsequent dispensing. Details of the rack  41  and the kicker therefor have not been shown in detail. This can also be controlled in a similar manner by the computer and software programme. 
     By observing FIG. 6 it is seen that the disk  49  has a bar code  63  adjacent each of the slots  51 . The upper portion  65  of the bag  53  is also provided with a bar code  67 . Thus, when loading stock into the dispensing station  3 , an authorised person will scan either the bar code  63  on the carousel disk  49  and then match it with an appropriate bar code  67  on the stock being added or visa-versa. It is particularly preferred that the bar code  63  correspond with the bar code  67  for particular stock. Software in the computer will then record the particular stock with particular slots  51 . In a variation, the bar codes may be different and there may be provided software within the dispensing station computing means  7  to translate the respective bar codes to identify the stock in the particular slot  51 . Thus, the computing means  7  is able to know the particular stock  43  which is held within the dispensing station  3  and its particular whereabouts within the dispensing station  3 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 7 there is shown an overview system software function diagram. This clearly shows the functionality at each dispensing station  3 , communication via a suitable system such as the Internet or like system including dedicated hard wired systems if required, central computing device, and customer, suppliers and third parties. It can be seen that a user identification in the form of a smart card is used to input information into the dispensing station. The dispensing station computing means then processes the information and dispenses stock. Information relating to each dispensing operation such as identification of person, stock taken, cost of stock, date of stock, time of stock, can be recorded. That information is then dispatched to the central computing device where the information is received and suitably stored in a database. Periodically, reports can be generated which are then forwarded to the customers, suppliers or third parties. The customers, suppliers or third parties may also interrogate the central computing device to extract information concerning particular dispensing stations, on an as needs basis. 
     Functionality of software at a central computing device is set out below: 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 CENTRAL COMPUTING DEVICE FUNCTION 
               
             
          
           
               
                 STEP NO. 
                 DESCRIPTION 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 1 
                 Receive update reports from dispensing stations 
               
               
                 2 
                 File reports in database records 
               
               
                 3 
                 Periodically run checks on database records for each 
               
               
                   
                 dispensing station. 
               
               
                 4. 
                 Generate reports on step 3 and store for future access 
               
               
                 5. 
                 Receive requests from suppliers or personnel at 
               
               
                   
                 locations of dispensing stations to access stored 
               
               
                   
                 reports. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The functionality of product loading into a dispensing station is set out below: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 STEP 
                   
                   
               
               
                 NO. 
                 DESCRIPTION 
                 COMMENTS 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 1 
                 No interaction- 
                 Moving banner advertising new 
               
               
                   
                 Welcome/status message 
                 trial product. 
               
               
                   
                 displayed 
                 Red LED and beep if problem 
               
               
                   
                   
                 status. Display contact 
               
               
                   
                   
                 phone# 
               
               
                 2 
                 Insert smart card into input 
                 Required PIN number 
               
               
                   
                 means 13 
               
               
                 3. 
                 System reads user 
                 Reject message - user/card 
               
               
                   
                 identification 
                 expiry, card not valid, PIN 
               
               
                   
                   
                 not valid. 
               
               
                 4. 
                 System checks user is 
                 Reject message - user not 
               
               
                   
                 allowed to use system 
                 allowed to use system 
               
               
                 5. 
                 System displays layer number 
                 Reload is done independently 
               
               
                   
                 for first reload, requests 
                 for each layer and selector. 
               
               
                   
                 confirm 
                 Steps 7-10 for layers. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Steps 12 - for selectors 
               
               
                 6. 
                 System displays reload 
                 Report details which product 
               
               
                   
                 message and prints required 
                 goes where. 
               
               
                   
                 reload report 
               
               
                 7. 
                 User opens freezer and 
                 Door is left open for short 
               
               
                   
                 removes rotor layer 
                 time only 
               
               
                 8. 
                 User first scans product 
                 A single beep for each bar 
               
               
                   
                 then slot for all the 
                 code read. 
               
               
                   
                 products on the report while 
                 A double beep if the product 
               
               
                   
                 loading the products. 
                 and slot match the reload 
               
               
                   
                   
                 report successfully. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 A continuous beep if an error 
               
               
                   
                   
                 occurs and a message why. 
               
               
                 9. 
                 On completion the layer is 
                 Door is left open for short 
               
               
                   
                 re-inserted into freezer 
                 time only. 
               
               
                 10. 
                 Success message displayed 
                 No user interface required. 
               
               
                   
                 when all products reloaded. 
               
               
                   
                 Success report printed or 
               
               
                   
                 partial report printed. 
               
               
                   
                 Event logged 
               
               
                 11. 
                 Go to Step 5 or remove card 
                 Message displayed for 5s 
               
               
                   
                 for end of transaction 
                 before reload continues. 
               
               
                 12. 
                 User opens freezer 
                 Door left open for longer but 
               
               
                   
                   
                 kit reload is quicker. 
               
               
                 13. 
                 User scans kits then slot 
                 A single beep for each bar 
               
               
                   
                 before dropping kit into 
                 code read. 
               
               
                   
                 slot 
                 A double beep if the product 
               
               
                   
                   
                 and slot match the reload 
               
               
                   
                   
                 report successfully. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 A continuous beep if an error 
               
               
                   
                   
                 occurs and a message why, 
               
               
                 14. 
                 User closes freezer 
               
               
                 15. 
                 Success message displayed 
                 No user interface required. 
               
               
                   
                 when all products reloaded. 
               
               
                   
                 Success report printed or 
               
               
                   
                 partial report printed. 
               
               
                   
                 Event logged 
               
               
                 16. 
                 Go to Step 5 or remove card 
                 Message displayed for 5s 
               
               
                   
                 for end of transaction 
                 before reload continuous 
               
               
                 17. 
                 Download new data to central 
                 Download transparent to user 
               
               
                   
                 computing device via modem 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The dispensing transaction functions at each dispensing station are functionally set out below: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 STEP NO. 
                 DESCRIPTION 
                 COMMENTS 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 1. 
                 No interaction- Welcome/status 
                 Moving banner advertising 
               
               
                   
                 message displayed 
                 new trial product 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Red LED and beep if 
               
               
                   
                   
                 problem status. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Display contact phone 
               
               
                 2. 
                 Insert smart card into user 
                 PIN number 
               
               
                   
                 identification input means 13 
                   
               
               
                 3. 
                 System reads user 
                 Reject message - 
               
               
                   
                 identification 
                 user/card expiry, card 
               
               
                   
                   
                 not valid, PIN not valid 
               
               
                 4. 
                 System checks user is allowed 
                 Reject message - user not 
               
               
                   
                 to use system 
                 allowed to use system. 
               
               
                 5. 
                 System checks finds available 
                 Funds notification 
               
               
                   
                   
                 message 
               
               
                 6. 
                 Product selection 
                 Consistent product codes 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Preferably menu driven 
               
               
                   
                   
                 scroll by name because 
               
               
                   
                   
                 codes will not be 
               
               
                   
                   
                 meaningful to researcher. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Only display those 
               
               
                   
                   
                 products the user is able 
               
               
                   
                   
                 to get (authority, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 budget, in stock) 
               
               
                 7. 
                 Verification by name of 
                 Reject message if 
               
               
                   
                 product and cost 
                 authority not adequate or 
               
               
                   
                   
                 expired for this product. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Reject message if funds 
               
               
                   
                   
                 not adequate 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Out of stock, logged 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (potential reorder event 
               
               
                   
                   
                 triggered) 
               
               
                 8. 
                 Confirmation of receipt via 
               
               
                   
                 PIN pad (check door, check 
               
               
                   
                 package dropped etc.) 
               
               
                 9. 
                 Print of receipt 
                 Configurable by customer 
               
               
                 10 
                 Record transaction in the 
               
               
                   
                 system 
               
               
                 11 
                 Record transaction on the card 
                 Configurable by customer 
               
               
                   
                 (Budget?) 
               
               
                 12. 
                 Depart or request another 
                 Shortcut or the full 
               
               
                   
                 product? 
                 procedure again? 
               
               
                 13. 
                 Download product dispensing 
                 Download transparent to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 user 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Modifications may be made to the invention as would be apparent to persons skilled in stock dispensing arts and/or the computer arts. These and other modifications may be made without departing from the ambit of the invention the nature of which is to be determined from the afore going description.