Selective encoding of packages

A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored therein instructions that are executable to cause a processor to perform functions comprising:

• receiving a work request indicative of at least one of:
• a first item or one or more work request parameters, wherein the first item is one of a plurality of items stored in an item-storage environment, and wherein each item is associated with a co-located identifier device;
• and
• in response to receipt of the work request:
• identifying, by a processor, the first item;
• determining, by the processor, a target location corresponding to the first item;
• selecting, by the processor, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from a plurality of UAVs available for deployment in the item-storage environment, wherein each UAV comprises an encoder device configured to encode data to the identifier devices associated with the plurality of items;
• and
• causing the selected UAV to:
• (a) travel to the target location, and (b) while hovering at or near to the target location, encode particular identification data to the identifier device associated with the item, wherein the particular identification data comprises at least the work request parameters.

A system comprising:

• a plurality of UAVs located in an item-storage environment,
• wherein a plurality of items are stored in the item-storage environment,
• wherein each item is associated with a co-located identifier device,
• wherein each UAV comprises an encoder device configured to encode data to the identifier devices associated with the plurality of items, and
• wherein each UAV is operable to:
• (a) travel to a target location corresponding to a first item of the plurality of items, and (b) while hovering at or near to the target location, encode particular identification data to the identifier device associated with the first item;
• a plurality of robotic devices operable to:
• (a) travel to or near to a precise location of the first item, (b) read data from the identifier device associated with the first item (c) at or near to the precise location, retrieve the first item;
• a controller configured to:
• receive a work request indicative of at least one of:
• the first item or one or more work request parameters;
• and
• in response to receipt of the work request:
• identify the first item;
• determine the target location corresponding to the first item;
• select an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from the plurality of UAVs available for deployment in the item-storage environment;
• and
• cause the selected UAV to:
• (a) travel to the target location, and (b) while hovering at or near to the target location, encode the particular identification data to the identifier device associated with the first item, wherein the particular identification data comprises at least the work request parameters.