William B Muir

US Patent:

6505094, Jan 7, 2003

Filed:

Mar 5, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/800045

Inventors:

Mark A. Pape - Austin TX
Branden Clark Bickley - Austin TX
Robert T. Mason - San Marcos TX
Robert F. Martin - Lago Vista TX
William B. Muir - Round Rock TX
Richard M. Williams - Austin TX
Gustavo Blum - Austin TX
Stefanie A. Vandorpe - Round Rock TX
James E. Pike - Austin TX
Sergio Botero - Austin TX
Gregory V. Johnson - Round Rock TX
Tracy A. Masson - Austin TX
Michael R. Rogers - Georgetown TX
Timothy J. Boswell - Lago Vista TX
Melissa S. Snyder - Austin TX

Assignee:

Dell Products L.P. - Round Rock TX

International Classification:

G06F 700

US Classification:

700217, 700216, 705 28

Abstract:

A method for preparing items for shipment in a distribution facility with multiple pallet-build squares may include a step of identifying an available pallet-build square among the multiple pallet-build squares. An item may then be transported to an operator for the available pallet-build square. Item data from a scan of a barcode on the item may then be received, and in response, a display may be automatically updated to identify the available pallet for the operator.

US Patent:

6529797, Mar 4, 2003

Filed:

Mar 5, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/799857

Inventors:

Richard M. Williams - Austin TX
Mark A. Pape - Austin TX
Branden Clark Bickley - Austin TX
Brian J. Hunt - Austin TX
William B. Muir - Round Rock TX
Larry L. Roder - Georgetown TX
Mariely Franzetti - Round Rock TX

Assignee:

Dell Products L.P. - Round Rock TX

International Classification:

G06F 0700

US Classification:

700216, 700213, 700214

Abstract:

A method for shipping items from a distribution facility according to customer orders may include a step of determining that the distribution facility contains all items requested in a customer order. The method may also include a step of determining that the requested items are a less-than-trailer-load (LTL) shipment. In response to determining that the distribution facility contains the requested items, a determination may be made as to whether sufficient pallet-build squares are available in the distribution facility to accommodate the requested items. In response to determining that sufficient pallet-build squares are available, the requested items may be automatically transported to an LTL dock in the distribution facility via one or more of the available pallet-build squares.

US Patent:

6560509, May 6, 2003

Filed:

Mar 5, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/799858

Inventors:

Richard M. Williams - Austin TX
Craig A. Morris - Austin TX
Branden Clark Bickley - Austin TX
Robert T. Mason - San Marcos TX
Mark A. Pape - Austin TX
Mariely Franzetti - Round Rock TX
William B. Muir - Round Rock TX
Meyyappan Arunachalam - Austin TX

Assignee:

Dell Products L.P. - Round Rock TX

International Classification:

G06F 700

US Classification:

700216, 705 28, 705 29

Abstract:

A method for managing a distribution facility may include a step of receiving descriptions of multiple orders from an order-management subsystem. A determination may be made that a particular order among the multiple orders is currently fillable, based the descriptions from the order-management subsystem. In response, shipping rate information may be obtained by automatically communicating with a rate subsystem. The particular order may be automatically assigned to a carrier, based on the information from the rate subsystem. In response, a transportation subsystem may automatically be caused to transport items for the particular order to one or more distribution stations.