Semi-automated inventory transfer station output merge logic
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
- receiving, by a computer system, information from a first accumulation area that is associated with a first inventory transfer station and a second accumulation area that is associated with a second inventory transfer station, the information indicating that a plurality of containers are ready to be merged into an outbound conveyor lane that is shared by the first inventory transfer station and the second inventory transfer station;
obtaining, by the computer system, operator throughput information that indicates operator throughput from the first inventory transfer station and the second inventory transfer station;
determining, by the computer system, prioritization information for a fulfilled container that includes an item and is included in the plurality of containers based at least in part on a customer order and the operator throughput information;
determining, by the computer system, a sequence that indicates when to release each container of the plurality of containers to the outbound conveyor lane from the first accumulation area and the second accumulation area based at least in part on the prioritization information; and
instructing, by the computer system, the first accumulation area and the second accumulation area to release the plurality of containers to the shared outbound conveyor lane according to the determined sequence.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An inventory transfer station is provided in connection with a workspace of an inventory management system. At the inventory transfer station, items are transferred from container holders to empty containers thereby generating containers that may fulfill orders for items. The inventory transfer station may be semi-automatically configured to transfer items from the container holders to the empty containers utilizing a vertical reciprocating conveyor that feeds empty containers to the inventory transfer station via an inbound conveyor lane associated with the inventory management system. Containers that have received items from the container holder may be transferred to an outbound conveyor lane that may, via the vertical reciprocating conveyor, feed fulfilled containers to a shipping area of the workspace.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
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receiving, by a computer system, information from a first accumulation area that is associated with a first inventory transfer station and a second accumulation area that is associated with a second inventory transfer station, the information indicating that a plurality of containers are ready to be merged into an outbound conveyor lane that is shared by the first inventory transfer station and the second inventory transfer station; obtaining, by the computer system, operator throughput information that indicates operator throughput from the first inventory transfer station and the second inventory transfer station; determining, by the computer system, prioritization information for a fulfilled container that includes an item and is included in the plurality of containers based at least in part on a customer order and the operator throughput information; determining, by the computer system, a sequence that indicates when to release each container of the plurality of containers to the outbound conveyor lane from the first accumulation area and the second accumulation area based at least in part on the prioritization information; and instructing, by the computer system, the first accumulation area and the second accumulation area to release the plurality of containers to the shared outbound conveyor lane according to the determined sequence. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a computer system, cause the computer system to perform operations comprising:
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maintaining first information for one or more inventory transfer stations that share components within a workspace, the information indicating equipment effectiveness at an inventory transfer station; receiving second information from the one or more inventory transfer stations indicating that a plurality of fulfilled containers are ready to be merged into a conveyor lane associated with the one or more inventory transfer stations; and determining a merging sequence that indicates when to release each fulfilled container of the plurality of fulfilled containers to the conveyor lane based at least in part on the first information and the second information; and instructing the one or more inventory transfer stations to release and merge the plurality of fulfilled containers to the conveyor lane in accordance with the determined merging sequence. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
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receiving, by a computer system, inventory transfer information for inventory within a workspace, the inventory stored within a plurality of container holders arranged within the workspace; receiving, by the computer system, information from one or more inventory transfer stations within the workspace indicating that a plurality of fulfilled containers are ready to be merged into a conveyor lane associated with the one or more inventory transfer stations; and determining, by the computer system and in response to receiving the information, a merging sequence that indicates when to release each fulfilled container of the plurality of fulfilled containers to the conveyor lane based at least in part on dwell time of orders to transfer inventory associated with the one or more inventory transfer stations and the inventory transfer information. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification