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Exchange of containers

  • US 9,378,482 B1
  • Filed: 03/13/2015
  • Issued: 06/28/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2015
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A computer-implemented method of managing inventory, the method comprising:

  • receiving a customer order for an inventory item;

    identifying, by a processor, a first container stowed in a container holder, the first container holding at least the inventory item;

    instructing, by the processor, a first unmanned mobile drive unit to move the container holder from a storage area of a workspace to an inventory queue of a container exchange station of the workspace, the container holder configured to removably receive one or more containers of a plurality of containers, and each of the plurality of containers configured to receive one or more inventory items;

    instructing, by the processor, a second unmanned mobile drive unit to move a container shuttle from an inventory processing area of the workspace to a shuttle queue of the container exchange station, the container shuttle configured to removably receive one or more other containers of the plurality of containers, the container shuttle configured to receive at least one of;

    a container holding at least one inbound inventory item identified to be stowed within the storage area of the workspace, or a container holding at least one outbound inventory item identified to be picked at a pick station;

    instructing, by the processor, removal of the first container from the container holder and placement of the first container on the container shuttle at the container exchange station prior to the container shuttle being moved to the pick station; and

    instructing, by the processor, removal of a second container from the container shuttle and placement of the second container on the container holder at the container exchange station prior to the container holder being moved to the storage area, the second container holding at least one inbound inventory item identified to be stowed within the storage area of the workspace.

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