Method and system for fulfilling requests in an inventory system
First Claim
1. A method for fulfilling requests in an inventory system, comprising:
- receiving, by a processor, a request indicating an activity to be completed;
selecting, by the processor, from a plurality of holders, a holder to fulfill the request;
selecting, by the processor, from a plurality of inventory stations, at least one inventory station at which to fulfill the request, wherein each of the plurality of inventory stations is associated with a queue comprising a plurality of queue spaces;
facilitating, by the processor, moving the selected holder from a first location to a second location remote from the selected inventory station;
determining, by the processor, that a trigger event has occurred; and
in response to determining that the trigger event has occurred, facilitating, by the processor, moving the selected holder from the second location to a queue space of a queue associated with the selected inventory station.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for fulfilling requests in an inventory system includes receiving a request indicating an activity to be completed. The method also includes selecting a holder to fulfill the request and an inventory station at which to fulfill the request. The inventory station is associated with a queue that includes a plurality of queue spaces. The method further includes moving the selected holder from a first location to a second location remote from the selected inventory station. Additionally, the method also includes determining that a trigger event has occurred and, in response to determining that the trigger event has occurred, moving the selected holder from the second location to a queue space of a queue associated with the selected inventory station.
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Citations
46 Claims
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1. A method for fulfilling requests in an inventory system, comprising:
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receiving, by a processor, a request indicating an activity to be completed; selecting, by the processor, from a plurality of holders, a holder to fulfill the request; selecting, by the processor, from a plurality of inventory stations, at least one inventory station at which to fulfill the request, wherein each of the plurality of inventory stations is associated with a queue comprising a plurality of queue spaces; facilitating, by the processor, moving the selected holder from a first location to a second location remote from the selected inventory station; determining, by the processor, that a trigger event has occurred; and in response to determining that the trigger event has occurred, facilitating, by the processor, moving the selected holder from the second location to a queue space of a queue associated with the selected inventory station. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system for storing inventory items, comprising:
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a plurality of holders operable to store objects; a plurality of inventory stations, wherein each of the plurality of inventory stations is associated with a queue comprising a plurality of queue spaces; and a management module operable to; receive a request indicating an activity to be completed; select, from a plurality of holders, a holder to fulfill the request; select, from a plurality of inventory stations, at least one inventory station at which to fulfill the request; instruct a mobile drive unit to move the selected holder from a first location to a second location remote from the selected inventory station; determine that a trigger event has occurred; and in response to determining that the trigger event has occurred, instruct the mobile drive unit to move the selected holder from the second location to a queue space of a queue associated with the selected inventory station. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A computer-program product stored on a computer-readable medium, the computer program comprising code operable, when executed, to:
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receive a request indicating an activity to be completed; select, from a plurality of holders, a holder to fulfill the request; select, from a plurality of inventory stations, at least one inventory station at which to fulfill the request, wherein each of the plurality of inventory stations is associated with a queue comprising a plurality of queue spaces; instruct a mobile drive unit to move the selected holder from a first location to a second location remote from the selected inventory station; determine that a trigger event has occurred; and in response to determining that the trigger event has occurred, instruct the mobile drive unit to move the selected holder from the second location to a queue space of a queue associated with the selected inventory station. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. A system for retrieving inventory items within an inventory system, comprising:
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means for receiving a request indicating an activity to be completed; means for selecting, from a plurality of holders, a holder to fulfill the request; means for selecting, from a plurality of inventory stations, a least one inventory station at which to fulfill the request, wherein each of the plurality of inventory stations is associated with a queue comprising a plurality of queue spaces; means for moving the selected holder from a first location to a second location remote from the selected inventory station; means for determining that a trigger event has occurred; and means for in response to determining that the trigger event has occurred, moving the selected holder from the second location to a queue space of a queue associated with the selected inventory station.
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Specification