Abstract:
A system and method of verifying the completeness and accuracy of inventory records is disclosed. A remote verification device is deployable from a control desk to a specified area within a facility to acquire certain verification data. Once acquired, the verification data is compared with the inventory records on the verification device to determine a verification status. The particular mode of verification may be user-selected on the verification device or device-prompted based the inventory records, the verification data or other parameters. If successfully verified, the verification device communicates the verification data and/or verification status to the control desk. If not successfully verified, the verification device may be used to acquire inventory data for replacing the inventory records or providing an alert related to the discrepancy.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates to inventory data acquisition and more specifically to verification of inventory data to ensure an accurate capture of information for every item at a location and thus avoid inventory data errors. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art. 
         [0003]    In general, inventory is product in any form, e.g., consumer goods, parts, raw materials, documents or other tangible items stored within a facility. A record of the inventory including attributes, such as identification by SKU, UPC or other identifying symbology, quantity, location, and product category are maintained. The data for these records may be compiled from transaction documentation such as delivery receipts, bills of lading, purchase orders, purchase receipts, and/or any other suitable procurement documents, or from a physical audit of the products stored at the facility. Regardless of the manner used to generate the inventory dataset, discrepancies may exist between the inventory records and the actual inventory of products stored within the facility. The inventory dataset can be verified and, if necessary, reconciled to minimize and ultimately eliminate these discrepancies; 
         [0004]    Prior methods of verification require that the inventory records be printed out in a predetermined format which is then taken to a specific area in the facility for comparison to the inventory physically located there. These methods are inflexible, tedious and time consuming because the mode of verification is strictly dependant on the predetermined format of the printed reports and requires a repeated reference to the report and comparison with the actual inventory. 
         [0005]    The present disclosure is directed to overcoming one or more of the shortcomings set forth above. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a method for verifying inventory. The method includes downloading an inventory dataset from a control desk to a remote verification device. The inventory dataset includes downloaded inventory data for an audited or completed inventory area. The remote verification device is then deployed to the verification area and verification data is acquired with the remote verification device. The verification method and type of verification data acquired is based on a menu-driven application selected for a specific verification area. Once acquired, the verification data is compared with the downloaded inventory data on the remote verification device and a verification status is made based on the comparison. The verification device may transmit the verification data and/or verification status to the control desk. If the inventory data is not successfully verified, the verification device may be used to acquire inventory data for updating, supplementing or replacing the inventory records. 
         [0007]    In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a system having an inventory control desk including a dataset with inventory data, a remote inventory device and a remote verification device. The remote verification device includes a data input module, a verification module and a display. The data input module includes a keypad and a scanner for acquiring verification data. The verification module which is typically a programmed microprocessor enables the selection a verification mode, compares the verification data with the inventory data and generates a verification status. The display provides a graphical interface for communicating information from the verification device. The system further includes a local area network for enabling wireless communication between the control desk and the portable verification device. The network includes a wireless network interface controller (WNIC) associated with each of the control desk and the verification device. The local area network allows data signals to be communicated between the inventory control desk and the verification device for transmission of data as well as directing the timing and process of conducting the inventory verification. 
         [0008]    Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a schematic representation of an inventory verification system implemented in a merchandising or retail facility; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a flow chart generally illustrating an inventory counting and accumulation methodology; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a flow chart generally illustrating an inventory verification methodology; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a flow chart specifically illustrating the inventory verification methodology of a designated area with the within the retail facility; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5A  illustrates a screenshot of the verification device display showing summary information of the inventory data for a specific area; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5B  illustrates a screenshot of the verification device display showing UPC and quantity information of the inventory data for a specific area; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  illustrates a screenshot of the verification device display showing the selectable verification mode interface; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  illustrates screenshots of the verification device display in a piece verification mode; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  illustrates screenshots of the verification device display in a reasonability verification mode; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  illustrates screenshots of the verification device display in a unique UPC mode; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  illustrates screenshots of the verification device display in a random item check mode. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features. 
         [0022]    An inventory counting and accumulation system and method are schematically illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . A facility such as a retail store  400  includes a number of fixtures  410 ,  412 ,  414  located throughout the store  400 . These fixtures  410 - 414  may be shelves, end caps, gondolas or other structures designed to store and display products. Periodically, an audit or count of these products, collectively know as inventory, may be made to accumulate data concerning the number and characteristics of product in the store  400 . An inventory system  10  which includes a remote inventory device  12 , a control desk  14 , a remote verification device  20  and wireless network interface connections or WNICS  30  are deployed in the store  400  for purposes of conducting the inventory audit. 
         [0023]    The remote inventory devices  12  and the verification device  20  include a data input module and a display. The data input module includes a keypad and a scanner for acquiring data. The display provides a graphical interface for communicating information from the device. The remote inventory devices  12  include an inventory module which is typically a programmed microprocessor enabling the selection of an inventory mode, input of the inventory area and inventory data from the inventory area, and generation of an inventory dataset. The remote verification devices  20  include a verification module which is typically a programmed microprocessor enabling the selection of a verification mode, comparison of the verification dataset with the inventory dataset and generation of a verification status. 
         [0024]    The system further includes a local area network (LAN) for enabling wireless communication between the control desk  14  and the remote devices  12 ,  20 . The LAN includes one or more wireless network interface controllers  30 . The local area network allows data signals to be communicated between the control desk  14  and the remote devices  12 ,  20  for transmission of data as well as directions for the timing and process of conducting the inventory audit. 
         [0025]    The inventory verification system includes a control desk  14  which communicates wirelessly with the remote devices  12 ,  20 . In one embodiment, the control desk  14  communicates directly with the remote devices  12 ,  20  deployed in the store. In another embodiment, WNICs  30  are included in the system to extend the range of communication between the remote devices  12 ,  20  and the control desk  14 . The remote devices  12 ,  20 , the control desk  14  and the WNICs  30  use a standardized communication protocol, e.g., IEEE 802.11 a/b/g, wireless USB, or Bluetooth. 
         [0026]    When initiating an audit, the store  400  is divided into different areas as represented in step  110  in  FIG. 2 . For example, store  400  in  FIG. 1  is divided into ten distinct areas designated as inventory areas A-J. One or more remote inventory devices  12  are deployed from a control desk  14  to an inventory area, for example, area E and area F as represented in step  112 . Each remote inventory device  12  is used to compile inventory data of products within the assigned area as represented in step  114 . The inventory data may simply be product counts for the area or further include SKU or UPC data, or other identifying symbology, location, or product category. Inventory data acquired by the remote inventory device  12  is compiled and transmitted back to the control desk  14  as represented in step  116 . 
         [0027]    The inventory data may be communicated in near real-time from the remote inventory device  12  to the control desk  14  or may be periodically transmitted as the counting process progresses to completion. Once an area is completed, the remote inventory device  12  communicates the inventory data to the control desk  14  and provides an area acquisition complete message as represented in step  118 . The inventory control desk  14  compiles the inventory data for the assigned area into an inventory dataset representing the entire store  400 . At this point, the remote inventory device  12  may be instructed to move to an uncounted area within the store  400 , such as area G in  FIG. 1  as represented in step  120 . Alternately, the remote inventory device  12  may be instructed to return to the control desk  14  for re-assignment. 
         [0028]    After an inventory audit has been completed, it may be desirable to verify the inventory dataset. A remote verification device  20  is deployed to a completed inventory area (hereinafter referred to as a “verification area”) as represented in step  210  of  FIG. 3 . Once assigned a verification area, the control desk  14  communicates the previously acquired inventory dataset for the assigned verification area as well as instructions concerning the verification procedure as represented in step  212 . Different verification methods may be used depending on the products located within the verification area or based on the judgment or discretion of the person responsible for conducting the inventory process as represented at step  214 . Various verification modes executable on a remote verification device  20  are described in greater detail below in paragraphs 0032-0036. 
         [0029]    At this point, the inventory dataset can be selectively retrieved and displayed on the remote verification device  20 . For example, a summary of the inventory quantity and the unique UPC codes within a verification area. As shown at screen  300  in  FIG. 5A , the inventory dataset for area  125  includes an inventory count of 802 pieces and 22 unique UPCs. Further details of the inventory dataset may be retrieved and displayed by selected an Area Details list which provides an inventory count for each unique UPC as shown at screen  302  in  FIG. 5B . The inventory dataset may have additional information, such as price, category or other descriptions, which may be displayed as an area detail. 
         [0030]    Next, the remote verification device  20  is used to acquire verification data for the verification area as represented in step  216  of  FIG. 3 . This procedure is similar to that used to count and accumulate inventory data as previously described. The verification dataset is then compared to the inventory dataset based on a set of rules determined by the selected verification mode. This verification process is performed locally on the remote verification device  20  as represented in step  218 . If the verification dataset matches the inventory dataset, then the inventory dataset is verified as represented at step  220 . 
         [0031]    If the verification dataset does not match the inventory dataset, then an error exists and a correction procedure may be initiated as represented in step  222 . Correction of the inventory dataset may be performed on the remote verification device  20 . Alternatively, a remote inventory device  12  may be re-deployed to the area to perform the necessary corrections. The verification data including a verification status is compiled and transmitted to the control desk  14  as represented at step  224 . Once the remote verification device  20  completes verification of its assigned area, it may be deployed to other complete inventory areas for verification as represented at step  226 . 
         [0032]    The remote verification device  20  is selectively configured to perform one of various verification methods. Presently, these methods include piece verification, reasonability verification, unique UPC verification and random item verification. The particular method of verification for a given verification area may be selected on the remote verification device  20  as at screen  304  shown in  FIG. 6 . Once the verification method is selected, the remote verification device  20  will prompt its user through the procedure for verification. 
         [0033]    With reference now to  FIG. 7 , the piece verification method will be described. The verification area is input into the remote verification device as shown at screen  310 . A total piece count within that area is made without regard to the SKU or UPC for the products within the area. The total piece count is input into the remote verification device  20 . If the total piece count matches the piece count from the inventory dataset as shown at screen  312 , then a verification screen  314  is displayed on the remote verification device  20 . From the verification screen  314 , a verification result may be associated with the piece count in the verification dataset. If the total piece count does not match the piece count from the inventory dataset as shown at screen  316 , then an error screen  318  is displayed on the remote verification device  20 . From the error screen  318 , an error code may be associated with the piece count in the verification dataset. Once the area verification is complete, the remote verification device  20  communicates the results back to the control desk  14 . 
         [0034]    With reference now to  FIG. 8 , the reasonability verification method will be described. Again, the verification area is input into the remote verification device  20  as shown at screen  320 . In return, the remote verification device  20  displays the total piece count for the inputted area from the inventory dataset. The remote verification device  20  then queries the accuracy of this area total as shown at screen  322  and prompts for a response to the query. The response to the reasonableness query may be simply YES or NO, or alternately a degree of certainty such as certain, highly likely, likely, highly unlikely, or uncertain. Once the area verification is complete, the remote verification device  20  communicates the results back to the control desk  14 . 
         [0035]    With reference now to  FIG. 9 , the unique UPC verification method will be described. The unique UPC method is similar to the reasonability method but focuses on the number of different types of products within an area instead of the total piece count within an area. The verification area is input into the remote verification device  20  as shown at screen  330 . In return, the remote verification device  20  displays the total piece count and the unique UPCs from the inventory dataset for the inputted area. The remote verification device  20  then queries the accuracy of the unique UPCs as shown at screen  332  and prompts for a response to the query. This response may be simply YES or NO, or may alternately have a degree of certainty such as certain, highly likely, likely, highly unlikely, or uncertain. Once the area verification is complete, the remote verification device  20  communicates the results back to the control desk  14 . 
         [0036]    With reference now to  FIG. 10 , the random item verification method will be described. The random item method allows an inventory data query to be made on an item randomly pulled from a shelf within the verification area. The verification area is input into the remote verification device  20  as shown at screen  340 . Next, an item is pulled from a shelf within the verification area, and the UPC is input into the remote verification device  20 . The UPC may be input manually by typing in the UPC or alternately by scanning the bar code on the pulled item. If the inventory dataset includes an inventory count for that UPC in that area, then the remote verification device  20  displays the quantity for that UPC as well as the total piece count from the inventory dataset for the inputted area. The remote verification device  20  then queries the accuracy of inventory count for the randomly pulled item as shown at screen  342  and prompts for a response to the query. If the inventory dataset does not include an inventory count for that UPC in that area, then the remote verification device  20  displays and error message and prompts for the input of an error code, as shown at screen  344 . Once the area verification is complete, the remote verification device  20  communicates the results back to the control desk  14 . 
         [0037]    From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art will understand the various aspects of a method and system for conducting inventory verification with one or more remote verification devices. The above description is merely exemplary in nature and, thus variations that do not depart from the gist of the present disclosure are intended to be within the scope of the present disclosure. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.