Exchange of containers

A computer-implemented method, comprising:

• instructing, by a computing device, a first mobile drive unit to move a first container conveyance structure to a first area of a station of a workspace, the first container conveyance structure configured to removably receive one or more containers of a plurality of containers, each of the plurality of containers configured to receive one or more items;
• generating, by the computing device, instructions identifying at least a first container and a second container, at least a portion of the instructions being machine-readable instructions;
• and
• providing, by the computing device, at least the machine readable instructions to an automated operator, the machine-readable instructions causing the automated operator to at least:
• remove the first container from the first container conveyance structure and place the first container on a second container conveyance structure at the station, the first container holding at least a first item;
• and
• remove the second container from the second container conveyance structure and place the second container on the first container conveyance structure at the station, the second container holding at least a second item.

A system, comprising:

• a plurality of first container conveyance structures arranged within a first area of a workspace, individual first container conveyance structures of the plurality of first container conveyance structures configured to removably receive one or more containers of a plurality of containers;
• a plurality of second container conveyance structures configured to removably receive one or more other containers of the plurality of containers;
• a plurality of mobile drive units, at least some of the plurality of mobile drive units configured to move the plurality of first container conveyance structures and to move the plurality of second container conveyance structures;
• a second area within the workspace, the second area comprising:
• a first queue and a second queue, each queue configured to receive at least:
• first container conveyance structures of the plurality of first container conveyance structures coupled to mobile drive units of the plurality of mobile drive units;
• and
• second container conveyance structures of the plurality of second container conveyance structures coupled to other mobile drive units of the plurality of mobile drive units;
• and
• an exchange area configured for exchanging containers of the plurality of containers;
• and
• a management module configured to:
• instruct movement, by a first mobile drive unit, of a first container conveyance structure from the first area of the workspace to the first queue of the second area;
• instruct movement, by a second mobile drive unit, of a second container conveyance structure from a third area of the workspace to the second queue of the second area;
• instruct removal of a first container from the first container conveyance structure and placement of the first container on the second container conveyance structure;
• and
• instruct removal of a second container from the second container conveyance structure and placement of the second container on the first container conveyance structure.