Tote Based Item Tracking
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A tote configured to identify items contained in the tote, the tote comprising:
- a base surface;
a plurality of side surfaces coupled to the base surface and positioned to define a cavity;
a first antenna coupled to at least one of side surfaces and defining a first plane substantially parallel with the base surface, the first antenna configured to detect an interruption of the first plane as an item passes through the first plane;
a second antenna coupled to at least one of side surfaces and defining a second plane substantially parallel with the base surface, the second antenna configured to detect an interruption of the second plane as the item passes through the second plane;
a computing system coupled to the tote and in communication with the first antenna and the second antenna, the computing system including;
one or more processors; and
a memory coupled to the one or more processors and storing program instructions that when executed by the one or more processors cause the one or more processors to;
receive from the first antenna first information, the first information identifying that the first plane was interrupted;
receive from the second receiving component second information, the second information identifying that the second plane was interrupted;
determine, based at least in part on the first information and the second information, that the item was added to the tote or removed from the tote; and
based on a determination that the item was added to the tote, add an item identifier to a tote item list.
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Abstract
This disclosure describes a system for managing inventory as it transitions into a materials handling facility, as it transitions between locations within a materials handling facility and/or as it transitions out of a materials handling facility. In some instances, a user (e.g., picker or picking agent) may retrieve an item from an inventory location and place the item into a tote. The systems described herein detect the item when it is added to or removed from the tote.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A tote configured to identify items contained in the tote, the tote comprising:
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a base surface; a plurality of side surfaces coupled to the base surface and positioned to define a cavity; a first antenna coupled to at least one of side surfaces and defining a first plane substantially parallel with the base surface, the first antenna configured to detect an interruption of the first plane as an item passes through the first plane; a second antenna coupled to at least one of side surfaces and defining a second plane substantially parallel with the base surface, the second antenna configured to detect an interruption of the second plane as the item passes through the second plane; a computing system coupled to the tote and in communication with the first antenna and the second antenna, the computing system including; one or more processors; and a memory coupled to the one or more processors and storing program instructions that when executed by the one or more processors cause the one or more processors to; receive from the first antenna first information, the first information identifying that the first plane was interrupted; receive from the second receiving component second information, the second information identifying that the second plane was interrupted; determine, based at least in part on the first information and the second information, that the item was added to the tote or removed from the tote; and based on a determination that the item was added to the tote, add an item identifier to a tote item list. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus, comprising:
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a base surface; a plurality of side surfaces coupled to the base surface and positioned to define a cavity; a first receiving component positioned within the cavity and defining a first plane, the first receiving component configured to detect an interruption of the first plane as an item passes through the first plane; a second receiving component positioned within the cavity and defining a second plane, the second receiving component configured to detect an interruption of the second plane as the item passes through the second plane; a computing system coupled to the apparatus and in communication with the first receiving component and the second receiving component, the computing system including; one or more processors; and a memory coupled to the one or more processors and storing program instructions that when executed by the one or more processors cause the one or more processors to; receive from the first receiving component a first information, the first information identifying that the first plane was interrupted; receive from the second receiving component second information, the second information identifying that the second plane was interrupted; determine based at least in part on the first information and the second information, whether an item was added to the apparatus or removed from the apparatus; and based on a determination that the item was added to the apparatus, add an item identifier to a tote item list. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A computer-implemented method for managing a tote item list for a tote, comprising:
under control of one or more computing systems configured with executable instructions, scanning a cavity of the tote to identify a plurality of item identifiers included in the tote; identifying an item identifier of the plurality of item identifiers included in the tote that is included in the tote item list; determining that at least one item identifier of the identified plurality of item identifiers is not included in the tote item list; and updating the tote item list to include the at least one item identifier. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
Specification