Tote-based warehousing system and method
AssigneeVisible Assets, Inc.
InventorsJohn K. Stevens, Paul Waterhouse, Michael J. Vandenberg
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims20
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.
A warehousing method comprising:
- 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.
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, 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.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.