Patent ID: 8340808

Claim:
A method of introducing products from a pallet into an automated distribution system for automatic conveyance about a distribution center, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a signal at a central computer indicating that products to be introduced have arrived at the distribution center; transmitting from the central computer a first conveying signal for conveying the pallet comprising the products to a check-in workstation for introducing the products into the system; receiving a pallet present signal at the central computer indicating that the products have arrived at the check-in workstation, wherein a touch-screen monitor associated with the check-in workstation is in communication with the central computer; receiving product identifier information originating from a first product identifier located on at least one of the products from at least one of a bed scanner, a handheld scanner, a keyboard and the touch-screen monitor; storing the product identifier information in a database associated with the central computer; determining at the central computer a first set of instructions to transmit to the touch-screen monitor, the first set of instructions comprising a proper method of introducing the products into the automated distribution system and the proper place on the product to affix a second product identifier; 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 that the second product identifier has been affixed to the product; and, transmitting from the central computer a second conveying signal to convey the products away from the check-in workstation.