Method and apparatus for sensing correct item placement for multi-destination picking

A method, comprising:

• detecting, by a sensor, placement of an item in a receptacle for holding one or more items picked from inventory in a materials handling facility, wherein the sensor is coupled to the receptacle;
• receiving, by a mote from the sensor, an indication that the sensor has detected placement of the item in the receptacle, wherein the mote is coupled to the receptacle;
• and
• in response to said indication that the sensor has detected placement of an item in the receptacle, sending, by the mote to a control system of the materials handling facility, an indication that an item has been placed in the receptacle, wherein the mote comprises a processor and memory storing program instructions that when executed by the processor cause the mote to perform said receiving and said sending.

An apparatus for receiving and transporting items picked from a materials handling facility to one of a plurality of destinations in the materials handling facility, the apparatus comprising:

• a receptacle for holding one or more of said items;
• a mote coupled to the receptacle, the mote comprising:
• a processor;
• and
• a memory;
• and;
• a communications interface;
• and
• a sensor coupled to the receptacle, the sensor comprising a separate communications interface, wherein the sensor is operable to:
• detect placement of an item in the receptacle;
• and
• send, to a materials handling facility control system via the communications interface of the sensor, an indication that the item has been placed in the receptacle;
• wherein the memory comprises program instructions executable by the processor to receive, from the control system via the communications interface of the mote, an indication related to said placement of the item in the receptacle.