Bulk inventory network system

Abstract

A system and method for remote monitoring of material storage levels for dry bulk goods, wherein an independent entity, such as a transportation carrier, can continuously monitor raw material supply levels at a remote manufacturing plant, and, based on projected usage rates, place timely orders on behalf of the plant, with preselected vendors, to replenish depleted raw materials. The transportation carrier can then coordinate material shipments from the vendor to the manufacturing site using its own trucks. In this manner, the task of maintaining sufficient on site raw material storage levels is completely removed form the manufacturing plant.

1 . An automated inventory management system comprising: 
 a sensor that transmits a first output signal corresponding to a material quantity;    a data collector that receives said first output signal from said sensor and transmits a second output signal that is representative of said material quantity;    a remote telemetry unit that receives said second output signal and transmits a signal indicating material quantity; and    a central computer disposed in data communication with said remote telemetry unit for receiving said signal indicating material quantity wherein said central computer includes means for storing a plurality of signals indicating material quantity received by said central computer over time, means for interpreting a past material usage trend based on said plurality of signals indicating material quantity, and means for projecting a material usage rate based on said plurality of signals indicating material quantity.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said first output signal, said second output signal, and said signal indicating material quantity are transmitted substantially continuously.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said first output signal, said second output signal, and said signal indicating material quantity is transmitted automatically.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said means for interpreting a past material usage trend and said means for projecting a material usage rate comprises software means.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said central computer comprises software means for interfacing with the Internet.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1  comprising means for generating an alarm indicating said material quantity is less than a predetermined quantity wherein said alarm is at least one of visual and audible.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said central computer further comprises means for displaying at least one of said past material usage trend and said material usage rate in at least one of tablature and graphical form.  
   
   
       8 . An automated inventory management system comprising: 
 a sensor that produces a first output signal comprising material quantity data;    a data collector that receives said first output signal from said sensor and produces a second output signal comprising said material quantity data;    a remote telemetry unit that receives said second output signal and automatically transmits a third output signal comprising said material quantity data; and    a computer that receives said third output signal comprising material quantity data, wherein said computer comprises means for storing said material quantity data, means for analyzing said material quantity data, and means for projecting a material usage rate based on said material quantity data.    
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8  comprising a network wherein said material quantity data is transmitted automatically.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 8  comprising a network wherein said material quantity data is transmitted substantially continuously.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 8  wherein said computer is at least one of a local computer with a location substantially proximate to said sensor and a central computer with a location substantially remote from said sensor.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 8  wherein at least one of said means for analyzing said material quantity data and said means for projecting a material usage rate based on said material quantity data comprises software means.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 8  wherein said computer comprises software means for transmitting said material quantity data to the Internet.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 8  further comprising means for generating an alarm when said material quantity data indicates that a material quantity is less than a predetermined quantity wherein said alarm is at least one of visual and audible.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 8  wherein said computer comprises means for displaying said material usage rate in at least one of tablature and graphical form.  
   
   
       16 . A system to maintain a sufficient quantity of material at a remote site comprising: 
 a sensor at a remote site that measures a material quantity and produces a first output signal comprising material quantity data;    a data collector that receives said first output signal from said sensor and produces, at predetermined time intervals, a second output signal comprising said material quantity data;    a remote telemetry unit that receives said second output signal and automatically transmits a third output signal comprising said material quantity data;    a computer that receives said third output signal from said remote telemetry unit, wherein said computer comprises means for determining said material quantity, means for storing said material quantity data, means for projecting a material usage rate based on said material quantity data, and means for automatically ordering additional materials from a preselected vendor based on said material quantity data.    
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16  wherein said computer further comprises means for directing a transport vehicle to deliver additional materials to said remote site.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 16  wherein said computer further comprises means for coordinating a shipment of additional materials to said remote site via a transport vehicle.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 16  wherein said computer is at least one of a local computer with a location substantially proximate to said sensor and a central computer with a location substantially distant from said sensor.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 16  wherein said material quantity data corresponds to a quantity of dry bulk materials.