Exchange of containers
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
- instructing a first mobile drive unit to move a container shuttle to a first area of a workspace, the container shuttle configured to removably receive one or more containers of a plurality of containers, and each of the plurality of containers being configured to receive one or more items;
instructing a second mobile drive unit to move a container holder to a second area of the workspace, the container holder being configured to removably receive more containers of the plurality of containers than the container shuttle;
instructing removal of a container from the container shuttle at the first area and placement of the container on an inventory conveyance system that is configured to convey the container between the first area and the second area; and
instructing removal of the container from the inventory conveyance system at the second area and placement of the container on the container holder.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Containers can be exchanged between container holders and container shuttles using an inventory conveyance system within a workspace. The container holders are configured to hold one or more containers having consolidated inventory items in high density storage. The container shuttles are also configured to hold one or more containers for performing other operations with respect to inventory items in the one or more containers. The containers are configured to hold inventory items while the inventory items move for various operations throughout the workspace and while the inventory items are stowed in high density storage in the workspace.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
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instructing a first mobile drive unit to move a container shuttle to a first area of a workspace, the container shuttle configured to removably receive one or more containers of a plurality of containers, and each of the plurality of containers being configured to receive one or more items; instructing a second mobile drive unit to move a container holder to a second area of the workspace, the container holder being configured to removably receive more containers of the plurality of containers than the container shuttle; instructing removal of a container from the container shuttle at the first area and placement of the container on an inventory conveyance system that is configured to convey the container between the first area and the second area; and instructing removal of the container from the inventory conveyance system at the second area and placement of the container on the container holder. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system, comprising:
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a plurality of container holders configured to removably receive two or more containers of a plurality of containers, each of the plurality of containers being configured to receive one or more items; a plurality of container shuttles configured to removably receive one or more containers of the plurality of containers; a plurality of mobile drive units configured to transport individual ones of the plurality of container holders and the plurality of container shuttles within a workspace; an inventory conveyance system configured to convey the plurality of containers between a first area within the workspace and a second area within the workspace; and a management module configured to; instruct movement, by a first mobile drive unit of the plurality of mobile drive units, of a container holder of the plurality of container holders to the first area; instruct movement, by a second mobile drive unit of the plurality of mobile drive units, of a container shuttle of the plurality of container shuttles to the second area; instruct removal of a container from the container holder and placement of the container on the inventory conveyance system; and instruct removal of the container from the inventory conveyance system and placement of the container on the container shuttle. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An inventory conveyance system, comprising:
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a conveyance surface coupled to one or more drive motors, the conveyance surface configured to convey a plurality of containers, each container of the plurality of containers configured to receive one or more items; a first access point disposed at a first location adjacent the conveyance surface, the first access point configured to allow, by a first operator, removal of first containers from first container holders and first containers shuttles and placement of the first containers on the conveyance surface; a second access point disposed at a second location adjacent the conveyance surface, the second access point configured to allow, by a second operator; removal of the first containers from the conveyance surface and placement of the first containers on second container holders and second container shuttles; and removal of second containers from the second container holders and the second container shuttles and placement of the second containers of on the conveyance surface; and a third access point disposed at a third location adjacent the conveyance surface, the third access point configured to allow, by a third operator, removal of the first containers and the second containers from the conveyance surface and placement of the first containers and the second containers on third container holders and third container shuttles. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification