Tote-based warehousing system and method
First Claim
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1. A warehousing system comprising:
- a first container for storing at least one item,a first electronic module affixed to said first container, said first electronic module having stored therein a unique identification number that distinguishes the first container from other containers for storing or receiving items in a warehouse;
an antenna integrally formed in the first container and connected to the first electronic module;
a controller which wirelessly communicates with said first electronic module, via the antenna, for activating a signal on the first electronic module for directing a transfer of said at least one item to and from said first container;
a second container for receiving said at least one item from said first container,a second electronic module affixed to the second container, said second electronic module having stored therein a unique identification number that distinguishes the second container from other containers for storing or receiving items in a warehouse, said second electronic module wirelessly communicating with said controller, for facilitating a transfer of said at least one item from said first container to said second container.
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Abstract
A warehousing system includes a container for storing at least one item, a first electronic (e.g., radio frequency identification (RFID)) module associated with the first container, and a controller which wirelessly communicates with first electronic module, for directing a transfer of said at least one item to and/or from said first container. The inventive system may include, for example, a hybrid retail/warehouse system which includes a facility having a shelving area, and a picking area adjacent to the shelving area, and a layout so as to minimize a picking area and a walking distance between a picking area and a shelving area.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A warehousing system comprising:
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a first container for storing at least one item, a first electronic module affixed to said first container, said first electronic module having stored therein a unique identification number that distinguishes the first container from other containers for storing or receiving items in a warehouse; an antenna integrally formed in the first container and connected to the first electronic module; a controller which wirelessly communicates with said first electronic module, via the antenna, for activating a signal on the first electronic module for directing a transfer of said at least one item to and from said first container; a second container for receiving said at least one item from said first container, a second electronic module affixed to the second container, said second electronic module having stored therein a unique identification number that distinguishes the second container from other containers for storing or receiving items in a warehouse, said second electronic module wirelessly communicating with said controller, for facilitating a transfer of said at least one item from said first container to said second container. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A warehousing method comprising:
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storing at least one item in a first container, said first container having a first electronic module affixed to said first container, said first electronic module having stored therein a unique identification number that distinguishes the first container from other containers for storing items in a warehouse; placing said first container in a shelving area; providing a communication to the first electronic module indicating that the item in the first container is to be picked for a purchaser; moving the first container from the shelving area to a picking area in the warehouse in response to the communication to the first electronic module; providing a communication to a second electronic module associated with a second container located in the picking area indicating that the item in the first container is to be picked for a purchaser by placement in the second container; and transferring said at least one item from said first container to the second container. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A warehousing system comprising:
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a first container for storing at least one item, a first electronic module affixed to said first container, said first electronic module having stored therein a unique identification number that distinguishes the first container from other containers for storing or receiving items in a warehouse, wherein the first electronic module comprises two visual indicators providing distinguishable visual signals; a controller which wirelessly communicates with said first electronic module for one of the two visual indicators on the first electronic module for directing a transfer of said at least one item to and from said first container; a second container for receiving said at least one item from said first container, a second electronic module affixed to the second container, said second electronic module having stored therein a unique identification number that distinguishes the second container from other containers for storing or receiving items in a warehouse, said second electronic module wirelessly communicating with said controller, for facilitating a transfer of said at least one item from said first container to said second container. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification