Systems, devices and methods of controlling motorized transport units in fulfilling product orders
First Claim
1. A system to fulfill a customer order, comprising:
- a first self-propelled motorized transport unit configured to move through at least a portion of a shopping facility that is configured such that customers regularly enter and travel through at least a sales floor portion of the shopping facility to locate and purchase products from the shopping facility;
a first product pick unit (PPU) configured to temporarily and removably cooperate with the motorized transport unit;
a wireless communication network; and
a central computer system that is separate from the motorized transport unit and the first product pick unit, wherein the central computer system comprises;
a transceiver;
a control circuit coupled with the transceiver; and
a memory coupled to the control circuit and storing computer instructions that when executed by the control circuit cause the control circuit to;
wirelessly communicate an instruction to the first motorized transport unit and direct the first motorized transport unit to transport the first product pick unit to a determined first location within the shopping facility proximate to where a first product having been ordered is located;
wirelessly communicate an instruction to the first product pick unit cooperated with the first motorized transport unit and direct the first product pick unit to retrieve the first product; and
wirelessly communicate a protection instruction to the first product pick unit directing the first product pick unit to apply a protective packaging to the first product upon retrieval of the first product.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Some embodiments include apparatuses to fulfill customer orders comprising a motorized transport unit; a product pick unit (PPU) that cooperate with the motorized transport unit; a wireless communication network; and a central computer system configured to communicate with the multiple motorized transport units and the plurality of product pick units, and comprises a control circuit and memory storing instructions executed to cause the control circuit to: communicate an instruction to the motorized transport unit and direct the motorized transport unit to transport the product pick unit to a determined first location within the shopping facility proximate to where a first product having been ordered is located; and communicate an instruction to the product pick unit cooperated with the motorized transport unit and direct the product pick unit to retrieve the first product.
652 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A system to fulfill a customer order, comprising:
-
a first self-propelled motorized transport unit configured to move through at least a portion of a shopping facility that is configured such that customers regularly enter and travel through at least a sales floor portion of the shopping facility to locate and purchase products from the shopping facility; a first product pick unit (PPU) configured to temporarily and removably cooperate with the motorized transport unit; a wireless communication network; and a central computer system that is separate from the motorized transport unit and the first product pick unit, wherein the central computer system comprises; a transceiver; a control circuit coupled with the transceiver; and a memory coupled to the control circuit and storing computer instructions that when executed by the control circuit cause the control circuit to; wirelessly communicate an instruction to the first motorized transport unit and direct the first motorized transport unit to transport the first product pick unit to a determined first location within the shopping facility proximate to where a first product having been ordered is located; wirelessly communicate an instruction to the first product pick unit cooperated with the first motorized transport unit and direct the first product pick unit to retrieve the first product; and wirelessly communicate a protection instruction to the first product pick unit directing the first product pick unit to apply a protective packaging to the first product upon retrieval of the first product. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A method of fulfilling a customer order, comprising:
-
by a control circuit; wirelessly communicating an instruction to a first motorized transport unit, which is separate from the control circuit, directing the first motorized transport unit to transport a first product pick unit to a determined first location within a shopping facility proximate to where a first product having been ordered is located, wherein the first product pick unit is configured to temporarily and removably cooperate with the first motorized transport unit; wirelessly communicating an instruction to the first product pick unit cooperated with the first motorized transport unit and directing the first product pick unit to retrieve the first product; and wirelessly communicating a protection instruction to the first product pick unit directing the first product pick unit to apply a protective packaging to the first product upon retrieval of the first product. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification