Sales and inventory control system

Claim 1

A system for controlling inventory and sales activity for individual items of the type which include a covering material in the items that are to be manufactured, such as furniture pieces, and having multiple and selectable components the choice and selection of which require a variation in the amount of covering material that is required to manufacture the item, such components being such things as multiple selectable fabrics, skirts of various lengths, pleats, quilting or the like, comprising: a main computing means including a keyboard means for storing information and a memory means for storing information indicative of the available items and the components thereof at a central location, including the cost of the item and components, the immediate availability of the items and components, and the expected delivery of said items and selected components if selected and ordered by a purchaser; at least one remote computing means, preferably located at a point of sale location, each such remote computing means having a memory means, a display and a keyboard and being adapted to have information entered concerning the purchase of an item, including the identification and quantity of a selected item and of selected components, and the identification of the purchaser; means for communicating information between the main computing means and each of said remote computing means; said remote computing means displaying the price of a selected item and selected components and availability of and the expected delivery date thereof in response to data being input to the remote computing means, said availability of and the expected delivery having been determined after having communicated to said main computing means via said communicating means and said main computing means having compared information relating to the amount of covering material required for the selected item and selected components with the inventory of covering material required to manufacture each such selected item and selected components at the central location; said main computing means thereafter reserving the amount of covering material required for manufacturing the selected item and selected components, and reducing the inventory of covering material available for items and components by the amount of covering material that will be used in manufacturing the items and components selected to update the inventory of available material for future selection.

Claim 2

A system for controlling inventory and sales activity for individual items of the type which include a covering material in the items that are to be manufactured, such as furniture pieces, and having multiple and selectable components the choice and selection of which require a variation in the amount of covering material that is required to manufacture the item, such components being such things as multiple selectable fabrics, skirts of various lengths, pleats, quilting or the like, comprising: a main computing means including a keyboard means for storing information and a memory means for storing information indicative of the available items and the components thereof at a central location, including the cost of the item and components, the immediate availability of the items and components, and the expected delivery of said items and selected components if selected and ordered by a purchaser; at least one remote computing means, preferably located at a point of sale location, each such remote computing means having a memory means, a display and a keyboard and being adapted to have information entered concerning the purchase of an item, including the identification and quantity of a selected item and of selected components, and the identification of the purchaser; means for communicating information between the main computing means and each of said remote computing means; said remote computing means displaying the price of a selected item and selected components and availability of and the expected delivery date thereof in response to data being input to the remote computing means, said availability of and the expected delivery having been determined after having communicated to said main computing means via said communicating means and said main computing means having compared information relating to the amount of covering material required for the selected item and selected components with the inventory of covering material required to manufacture each such selected item and selected components at the central location; said main computing means thereafter reserving the amount of covering material required for manufacturing the selected item and selected components, and reducing the inventory of covering material available for items and components by the amount of covering material that will be used in manufacturing the items and components selected to update the inventory of available material for future selection.

Claim 15

A system for controlling inventory and sales activity for individual items of the type which include a covering material in the items that are to be manufactured, such as furniture pieces, and having multiple and selectable components the choice and selection of which require a variation in the amount of covering material that is required to manufacture the item, such components being such things as multiple selectable fabrics, skirts of various lengths, pleats, quilting or the like, comprising: a main computing means including a keyboard means for entering information and a memory means for storing information indicative of the available items and the components thereof at a central location, including the cost of the item and components, the immediate availability of the items and components, and the expected delivery of said items and selected components if selected and ordered by a purchaser; at least one remote computing means, preferably located at a point of sale location, each such remote computing means having a memory means, a display and a keyboard and being adapted to have information entered concerning the purchase of an item, including the identification and quantity of a selected item and of selected components, and the identification of the purchaser; means for communicating information between the main computing means and each of said remote computing means; a plurality of samples corresponding to the covering material that can be used in manufacturing said items and components located in at least a majority of said point of sale locations, substantially all of each of said plurality having a machine readable label associated therewith; reading means operably connected to said remote computing means and adapted to read said labels and provide information signals to said remote computing means concerning the identification of said covering materials; one of said reading means and said remote computing means including a sound generating means adapted to produce a first distinctive sound in response to said reading means reading one of said labels, said first distinctive sound indicating that said component is available; said remote computing means displaying the information identifying the covering material in response to receiving information signals from said reading means; said remote computing means displaying the price of a selected item and selected components and availability of and the expected delivery date thereof in response to data being input to the remote computing means, said availability of and the expected delivery having been determined after having communicated to said main computing means via said communicating means and said main computing means having compared information relating to the amount of covering material required for the selected item and selected components with the inventory of covering material required to manufacture each such selected item and selected components at the central location; said main computing means thereafter reducing the inventory of covering material available for items and components by the amount of covering material that will be used in manufacturing the items and components selected to update the inventory of available material for future selection.

Claim 16

A system for controlling inventory and sales activity for individual items of the type which include a covering material in the items that are to be manufactured, such as furniture pieces, and having multiple and selectable components the choice and selection of which require a variation in the amount of covering material that is required to manufacture the item, such components being such things as multiple selectable fabrics, skirts of various lengths, pleats, quilting or the like, comprising: a main computing means including a keyboard means for entering information and a memory means for storing information indicative of the available items and the components thereof at a central location, including the cost of the item and components, the immediate availability of the items and components, and the expected delivery of said items and selected components if selected and ordered by a purchaser; at least one remote computing means, preferably located at a point of sale location, each such remote computing means having a memory means, a display and a keyboard and being adapted to have information entered concerning the purchase of an item, including the identification and quantity of a selected item and of selected components, and the identification of the purchaser; means for communicating information between the main computing means and each of said remote computing means; a plurality of samples corresponding to the covering material that can be used in manufacturing said items and components located in at least a majority of said point of sale locations, substantially all of each of said plurality having a machine readable label associated therewith; reading means operably connected to said remote computing means and adapted to read said labels and provide information signals to said remote computing means concerning the identification of said covering materials; one of said reading means and said remote computing means including a sound generating means adapted to produce a first distinctive sound in response to said reading means reading one of said labels, said first distinctive sound indicating that said component is available; said remote computing means displaying the information identifying the covering material in response to receiving information signals from said reading means; said remote computing means displaying the price of a selected item and selected components and availability of and the expected delivery date thereof in response to data being input to the remote computing means, said availability of and the expected delivery having been determined after having communicated to said main computing means via said communicating means and said main computing means having compared information relating to the amount of covering material required for the selected item and selected components with the inventory of covering material required to manufacture each such selected item and selected components at the central location; said main computing means thereafter reducing the inventory of covering material available for items and components by the amount of covering material that will be used in manufacturing the items and components selected to update the inventory of available material for future selection.

Claim 19

A system for controlling inventory and sales activity for individual items of the type which include a covering material for covering items to be manufactured, such as furniture pieces having multiple and selectable components, including multiple selectable fabrics or the like, comprising: a main computing means including a keyboard means for entering information and a memory means for storing information indicative of the available items and the components thereof, including the available fabrics that can be used to cover the items, at a central location, including the cost of the item and components, the immediate availability of the items and components, and the expected delivery of said items and components if selected and ordered by a purchaser; at least one remote computing means, preferably located at a point of sale location, each such remote computing means having a memory means, a display and a keyboard and being adapted to have information entered concerning the purchase of an item, including the identification and quantity of a selected item and of selected components, and the identification of the purchaser; means for communicating information between the main computing means and each of said remote computing means; a plurality of samples corresponding to said selectable fabrics located in at least a majority of said point of sale locations, substantially all of each of said plurality having a machine readable label associated therewith; and, reading means operably connected to said remote computing means and adapted to read said labels and provide information signals to said remote computing means concerning the identification of said fabrics; said remote computing means being adapted to select items and components, including the fabric that is to cover the items, in response to entering information relating to the same through said remote computing means keyboard or said reading means, said remote computing means enabling said communicating means for communicating with said main computing means, said remote computing means being adapted to enter an order for items and components in response to an enter command sequence by a person; said remote computing means displaying the information identifying the fabric in response to receiving information signals, said remote computing means displaying the price of a selected item and components, including the fabric, and availability of and the expected delivery date thereof in response to data being input to the remote computing means, said availability of and the expected delivery having been determined after having communicated to said main computing means via said communicating means and said main computing means having compared information relating to the selected item and components, including the fabric, with the inventory of each such selected item and components, including the fabric, at the central location; said main computing means thereafter reducing the inventory of available items and components, including the fabric, by the amount of items and component, including the fabric selected to update the inventory of available items and components, including the fabric, for future selection.

Claim 20

A system for controlling inventory and sales activity for individual items of the type which include a covering material for covering items to be manufactured, such as furniture pieces having multiple and selectable components, including multiple selectable fabrics or the like, comprising: a main computing means including a keyboard means for entering information and a memory means for storing information indicative of the available items and the components thereof, including the available fabrics that can be used to cover the items, at a central location, including the cost of the item and components, the immediate availability of the items and components, and the expected delivery of said items and components if selected and ordered by a purchaser; at least one remote computing means, preferably located at a point of sale location, each such remote computing means having a memory means, a display and a keyboard and being adapted to have information entered concerning the purchase of an item, including the identification and quantity of a selected item and of selected components, and the identification of the purchaser; means for communicating information between the main computing means and each of said remote computing means; a plurality of samples corresponding to said selectable fabrics located in at least a majority of said point of sale locations, substantially all of each of said plurality having a machine readable label associated therewith; and, reading means operably connected to said remote computing means and adapted to read said labels and provide information signals to said remote computing means concerning the identification of said fabrics; said remote computing means being adapted to select items and components, including the fabric that is to cover the items, in response to entering information relating to the same through said remote computing means keyboard or said reading means, said remote computing means enabling said communicating means for communicating with said main computing means, said remote computing means being adapted to enter an order for items and components in response to an enter command sequence by a person; said remote computing means displaying the information identifying the fabric in response to receiving information signals, said remote computing means displaying the price of a selected item and components, including the fabric, and availability of and the expected delivery date thereof in response to data being input to the remote computing means, said availability of and the expected delivery having been determined after having communicated to said main computing means via said communicating means and said main computing means having compared information relating to the selected item and components, including the fabric, with the inventory of each such selected item and components, including the fabric, at the central location; said main computing means thereafter reducing the inventory of available items and components, including the fabric, by the amount of items and component, including the fabric selected to update the inventory of available items and components, including the fabric, for future selection.

Claim 21

A system for controlling inventory for individual pieces of furniture that is to be manufactured with various optional styles and optional components when ordered by a purchaser, the optional components including multiple selectable fabrics, quilting, skirts of various lengths, arm covers and the like, comprising: a remote computing means, preferably located at a point of sale location, such computing means having a memory means, a display and a keyboard and being adapted to have information entered concerning the purchase of a piece of furniture, including the identification and quantity of a selected piece of furniture and of selected optional components; a plurality of display samples corresponding to said selectable fabrics located in at least a majority of said point of sale locations, substantially all of each of said plurality having a machine readable label associated therewith; reading means operably connected to said computing means and adapted to read said labels and provide information signals to said remote computing means concerning the identification of said fabrics; said remote computing means displaying the information identifying the fabric in response to receiving information signals from said reading means; one of said reading means and said remote computing means includes a sound generating means, said system being adapted to produce one of three distinctive sounds in response to said reading means reading one of said labels, said distinctive sounds comprising a first distinctive sound indicating that said fabric is available, a second distinctive sound indicating that said fabric is temporarily unavailable and a third distinctive sound indicating that said fabric has been discontinued; said system enabling a person to use said reading means to sequentially read the labels of said plurality of display samples and to remove samples that are temporarily unavailable and discontinued.

Claim 22

A system for controlling inventory for individual pieces of furniture that is to be manufactured with various optional styles and optional components when ordered by a purchaser, the optional components including multiple selectable fabrics, quilting, skirts of various lengths, arm covers and the like, comprising: a remote computing means, preferably located at a point of sale location, such computing means having a memory means, a display and a keyboard and being adapted to have information entered concerning the purchase of a piece of furniture, including the identification and quantity of a selected piece of furniture and of selected optional components; a plurality of display samples corresponding to said selectable fabrics located in at least a majority of said point of sale locations, substantially all of each of said plurality having a machine readable label associated therewith; reading means operably connected to said computing means and adapted to read said labels and provide information signals to said remote computing means concerning the identification of said fabrics; said remote computing means displaying the information identifying the fabric in response to receiving information signals from said reading means; one of said reading means and said remote computing means includes a sound generating means, said system being adapted to produce one of three distinctive sounds in response to said reading means reading one of said labels, said distinctive sounds comprising a first distinctive sound indicating that said fabric is available, a second distinctive sound indicating that said fabric is temporarily unavailable and a third distinctive sound indicating that said fabric has been discontinued; said system enabling a person to use said reading means to sequentially read the labels of said plurality of display samples and to remove samples that are temporarily unavailable and discontinued.

Claim 23

A system for use in selling furniture and for controlling inventory for individual pieces of furniture having multiple and selectable fabrics, such as furniture pieces having multiple selectable fabrics or the like, the system being usable by employees of an establishment where furniture is being offered for sale and by customers who are interested in purchasing furniture, comprising: a remote computing means, preferably located at an establishment where furniture is being offered for sale such computing means having a memory means, a display and a keyboard and being adapted to have information entered concerning the purchase of an item of furniture, including the identification and quantity of a selected pieces of furniture and of selected fabrics; a plurality of swatches of fabrics located in at least a majority of said establishments where furniture is available for sale, said swatches being categorized as swatches of fabrics that are available, temporarily unavailable and discontinued, substantially all of each of said plurality of swatches having a machine readable label associated therewith; reading means operably connected to said computing means and adapted to read said labels and provide information signals to said computing means concerning the identification of said fabric; said remote computing means displaying the information identifying the fabric in response to receiving information signals from said reading means; one of said reading means and said remote computing means includes a sound generating means, said system being adapted to produce one of three distinctive sounds in response to said reading means reading one of said labels, said distinctive sounds comprising a first distinctive sound indicating that said fabric is available, a second distinctive sound indicating that said fabric is temporarily unavailable and a third distinctive sound indicating that said fabric has been discontinued; said system enabling an employee to use said reading means to sequentially read the labels of said plurality of swatches and to remove swatches that are temporarily unavailable and discontinued and to replace samples from an inventory of samples that had been temporarily unavailable, and by a customer to read a label and have the computing means display information relating to the particular fabric which has been read.

Claim 24

A system for use in selling furniture and for controlling inventory for individual pieces of furniture having multiple and selectable fabrics, such as furniture pieces having multiple selectable fabrics or the like, the system being usable by employees of an establishment where furniture is being offered for sale and by customers who are interested in purchasing furniture, comprising: a remote computing means, preferably located at an establishment where furniture is being offered for sale such computing means having a memory means, a display and a keyboard and being adapted to have information entered concerning the purchase of an item of furniture, including the identification and quantity of a selected pieces of furniture and of selected fabrics; a plurality of swatches of fabrics located in at least a majority of said establishments where furniture is available for sale, said swatches being categorized as swatches of fabrics that are available, temporarily unavailable and discontinued, substantially all of each of said plurality of swatches having a machine readable label associated therewith; reading means operably connected to said computing means and adapted to read said labels and provide information signals to said computing means concerning the identification of said fabric; said remote computing means displaying the information identifying the fabric in response to receiving information signals from said reading means; one of said reading means and said remote computing means includes a sound generating means, said system being adapted to produce one of three distinctive sounds in response to said reading means reading one of said labels, said distinctive sounds comprising a first distinctive sound indicating that said fabric is available, a second distinctive sound indicating that said fabric is temporarily unavailable and a third distinctive sound indicating that said fabric has been discontinued; said system enabling an employee to use said reading means to sequentially read the labels of said plurality of swatches and to remove swatches that are temporarily unavailable and discontinued and to replace samples from an inventory of samples that had been temporarily unavailable, and by a customer to read a label and have the computing means display information relating to the particular fabric which has been read.