Inventory control system

Abstract

The present invention relates to an inventory control system where the most updated number of products displayed on a display space is electronically determined and communicated to a computer for remote users, and electronically displayed along with other relevant information about the products.

1 . An inventory control system comprising: 
 a containment structure for containing a plurality of products, said containment structure configured to allow one of more of the products to be removed from or added to the containment structure;    a detection system configured to detect the removal or the addition of at least one product from the containment structure and to provide information relating to the removal or the addition; and    a processing system configured to report on the number of products that are contained in or that have been removed from or added to the containment structure based on information from the detection system.    
   
   
       2 . The inventory control system of  claim 1  further comprising a display system configured to receive from the processing system and display information relating to the products.  
   
   
       3 . The inventory control system of  claim 2  wherein the information displayed in the display system is the information relating to the removal or the addition.  
   
   
       4 . The inventory control system of  claim 1  wherein the containment structure includes a removal access area from which a product may be removed and a spring-loaded pusher configured to urge at least one of the products towards the removal access area.  
   
   
       5 . The inventory control system of  claim 1  wherein the detection system includes at least one photocell.  
   
   
       6 . The inventory control system of  claim 4  wherein the detection system includes at least two photocells configured to provide information indicative of when a product has been added to the containment structure and distinguishable information indicative of when a product has been removed from the containment structure.  
   
   
       7 . The inventory control system of  claim 1  wherein the detection system include at least one computer mouse.  
   
   
       8 . The inventory control system of  claim 1  wherein the detection system includes an electronic tape measure.  
   
   
       9 . The inventory control system of  claim 8  wherein the electronic tape measure is an electronic laser measuring device.  
   
   
       10 . An inventory control system comprising: 
 a detection system configured to detect the removal or the addition of at least one product from a containment structure and to provide information relating to the removal or the addition; and    a processing system configured to report on the number of products that are contained in or that have been removed from or added to the containment structure based on information from the detection system.    
   
   
       11 . The inventory control system of  claim 10  further comprising a containment structure for containing a plurality of products, said containment structure configured to allow one of more of the products to be removed from or added to the containment structure.  
   
   
       12 . The inventory control system of  claim 10  further comprising a display system configured to receive from the processing system and display information relating to the products.  
   
   
       13 . The inventory control system of  claim 12  wherein the information is the information relating to the removal or the addition.  
   
   
       14 . The inventory control system of  claim 10  wherein the containment structure includes a removal access area from which a product may be removed and a spring-loaded pusher configured to urge at least one of the products towards the removal access area.  
   
   
       15 . The inventory control system of  claim 10  wherein the detection system includes at least one photocell.  
   
   
       16 . The inventory control system of  claim 15  wherein the detection system includes at least two photocells configured to provide information indicative of when a product has been added to the containment structure and distinguishable information indicative of when a product has been removed from or added to the containment structure.  
   
   
       17 . The inventory control system of  claim 10  wherein the detection system include at least one computer mouse.  
   
   
       18 . The inventory control system of  claim 10  wherein the detection system includes an electronic tape measure.  
   
   
       19 . The inventory control system of  claim 18  wherein the electronic tape measure is an electronic laser measuring device.