Replenishing a retail facility

0001Modern inventory systems, such as those in distribution warehouses, mail-order warehouses, and custom-made manufacturing facilities, face significant challenges in meeting demand for inventory items. Similarly, retail facilities face significant challenges in timely and efficiently restocking display shelves. Therefore, time, space, and systems are required to successfully operate and manage an inventory system, especially when inventory items in the inventory system are packaged for shipment to the retail facility to replenish the retail shelves. Efficient use of resources can be extremely important.

0002For a more complete understanding of the present invention and its advantages, reference is made herein to the following description, which is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

0003<figref num="1">It is a figure which shows the component of the inventory system by a specific embodiment.</figref><figref num="2">FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an inventory system that can adjust orders for remote facilities.</figref><figref num="3">FIG. 5 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of an inventory system in which orders can be adjusted for remote facilities.</figref><figref num="4">FIG. 5 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of an inventory system in which orders can be adjusted for remote facilities.</figref><figref num="5">FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of packing an order into a container.</figref><figref num="6">It is a flow chart which shows the exemplary embodiment of the operation of the inventory system.</figref><figref num="7">FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the operation of a remote facility in which inventory holders can be replenished with inventory items derived from adjusted orders.</figref><figref num="8">FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary computer system that can be used for one or more parts of the systems and methods disclosed herein.</figref>

0004Retail facilities, such as grocery stores or merchandise warehouses, generally display inventory for consumer purchases on various shelves in the facility. To facilitate the consumer's purchasing experience, shelves may be arranged in aisles and items may be organized within the shelves by groups and subgroups. For example, a typical grocery store would specifically include aisles for bakery products and canned products. Bakery aisles generally include various groups of bread products such as sugar, flour, and spices. Similarly, canned product aisles generally include various groups of canned products such as vegetables, fruits, and soups. When inventory in a retail facility is purchased by a consumer, the retail facility typically places an order to make up for the out-of-stock inventory from one or more distribution warehouses.

0005Logistics warehouses may store large amounts of replacement inventory and generally store sufficient quantities to fulfill orders for multiple retail facilities in various locations. The distribution warehouse may also include an inventory system for fulfilling orders for replacement inventory. Such inventory systems generally include various racks with shelves for storing large quantities of inventory items. When an order for an in-stock item is placed, the worker removes the inventory from the shelves that store the item in response to the order and takes the in-stock item to the order processing station to put the order together for shipping.

0006When a package fulfilling an order for replacement inventory is received from a distribution warehouse by a retail facility, workers typically unpack the shipping container and restock the shelves. It is not desirable for consumers to perform such activities while shopping, as restocking and / or replenishment activities can interfere with customer activities. is there. Such facilities may wish to minimize the time required to complete such inventory replenishment and / or replenishment activities in order to minimize the impact on customer activity. As such, restocking and / or replenishing inventory can be difficult, inconvenient, and / or time-sensitive. Inventory replenishment and / or replenishment can be limited, for example, to a particular time frame with minimal customer traffic. In today's retail facilities, many of which are now open 24 hours a day, such time slots can be small. In addition, retail facilities continue to grow in size and tend to carry an increasingly large and wide range of inventories. These changing conditions make the problem of minimizing the impact of replenishment activities on the consumer's purchasing experience an increasingly important issue.

0007Certain embodiments of the inventory system of the present disclosure may address these issues. In particular, the inventory system is provided to coordinate how inventory items in one or more orders are packed for shipment to remote facilities such as grocery stores or merchandise warehouses. To. The placement of inventory items in the package can be calculated so that the inventory items can be unpacked at a remote facility for replenishment activities in the order in which the items should be placed on the shelves. For example, based on the layout of a particular grocery store, the inventory system would allow the items in the canned aisle to be unpacked after the items for the bakery aisle were first unpacked. It can be determined that it should be placed. As another example, a retail facility may place inventory in the aisle for bread making, first as flour, then as sugar, and then as spices. Accordingly, the inventory system may adjust the packaging of the package by first packing spices, then sugar, and then flour. In this way, the packages can be unpacked according to the order in which the items appear in the aisles of the retail facility, and in addition, the movable drive units are deployed in the remote facility and in the correct order in the aisles for unloading the items. , Can transport luggage to the correct location. For example, a movable drive unit can be a robotic device with built-in power that is configured to move independently within a warehouse or retail facility. Movable drive units can lift shipping containers, inventory holders, display shelves, or other containers of inventory items, and transport these components to inventory stations and warehouses or other locations within retail facilities. It can be possible. In some systems, the movable drive unit can scan the shelves for other exhausted inventory and place orders for additional inventory from the distribution center.

0008In some embodiments of the disclosure, the retail facility may include an additional movable drive unit, which stocks the retail facility display shelves, eg, inventory items from tuned luggage. It can be transported to a stock replenishment station that can be replenished. In such an embodiment, the packages may be adjusted based on the optimal order for transporting the display shelves to the restocking station. For the sake of explanation, it may be desirable to have a shelf for flour first, then a shelf for sugar, and then a shelf for spices. For this reason, orders can be adjusted to pack spices first, then sugar, then flour. The order in which the shelves are moved can be calculated to minimize the impact on purchasing and other consumer activities. For example, shelves may be scheduled to be shipped at specific times when the number of passengers is expected to be minimal.

0009In some embodiments, when packages are received, they may be grouped into individual or small groups of inventory items and placed in temporary storage shelves in the back room or storage area of the retail facility. .. Movable drive units may be able to transport storage shelves in the back room or storage area. For example, a movable drive unit may transport a temporary storage shelf from the unloading area to another location within the storage area after the shelf receives the item from the luggage. The management module can track the location of replacement stock items in storage shelves. In this way, if the management module determines that the sale in the retail department of the retail facility will replenish one or more display shelves with empty or few inventories, the management module will be one movable. The drive unit may be commanded to transport the appropriate temporary storage shelves containing one or more of these inventory items to the inventory replenishment station. The management module may also command another movable drive unit to transport the display shelves to the restocking station. In this way, inventory replenishment activities in retail facilities can proceed in a timely and efficient manner.

0010To provide a system that enables optimal order unpacking at a remote facility, the inventory system provides an optimal packing order for a given order based on the specific layout of the remote facility that is placing the order. It may include a management module to determine. When optimizing the packing order, the management module also considers various aspects of inventory such as dimensions, shape, weight, and fragility. The management module can optimize the placement of inventory items on shipping pallets. To fulfill an order, a mobile drive unit may be assigned the task of transporting inventory holders, which store inventory items, to an inventory station. A worker or an automated device at an inventory station may remove the desired inventory item from the inventory holder and pack the inventory item for shipment. In this way, the orders can be packed in an optimal order to provide optimal unpacking in a remote facility.

0011The technical advantages of certain embodiments of the present invention include the ability to provide systems and methods for adjusting the orders to be packed according to the optimal unpacking order. In some embodiments, the technical advantage may include the ability to determine the optimal unpacking order for a remote facility and / or the optimal custom packing arrangement. Technical advantages may include the ability to unpack orders in a timely, predictable, and / or efficient manner at the facility, as inventory items can be packed according to order packing arrangements. For example, an order can be unpacked according to the way inventory is stored on shelves in a remote facility. In this way, the time and / or cost of restocking remote facilities can be minimized. Further technical advantages of certain embodiments of the present invention may include providing a flexible and scalable inventory storage solution that can be easily adapted to accommodate system extensions and modifications. .. Other technical advantages of the present invention should be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the drawings, description, and claims below.

0012Although the specific advantages have been listed above, various embodiments may include, or not include, all or part of the listed advantages. The embodiments of the present invention and their advantages are best understood by referring to FIGS. 1-8. However, similar symbols refer to similar and corresponding parts in various drawings.

0013FIG. 1 shows an inventory system 10 according to a particular embodiment of the present invention. The inventory system 10 includes a management module 15, one or more movable drive units 20, one or more inventory holders 30, one or more container holders 40, and one. Includes one or more inventory stations 50. In general, management module 15 manages the operation and coordination of various elements of system 10 in order to fulfill the orders received by system 10. The management module 15 may determine and / or obtain the optimal unpacking order in a remote facility, for example. Based on the optimal unpacking order, the management module 15 may determine the optimal placement for packing the items in the shipping container 142. The management module 15 can then manage and coordinate various calculated tasks to put together the inventory items 32 in the order according to the optimal packing arrangement. Depending on the command transmitted by the management module 15, the movable drive unit 20 may transport the inventory holder 30 and the container holder 40 to various locations within the inventory system 10 such as the inventory station 50. In some embodiments, the inventory system 10 may adjust and fulfill orders received by the inventory system 10 according to an optimal unpacking order at a remote facility. A more detailed description of how the inventory system 10 is used to determine the optimal order placement is described in detail below with respect to FIGS. 2-7.

0014The management module 15 receives and / or generates a request for a movable drive unit 20, inventory holder 30, inventory item 32, container holder 40, container 42, inventory station 50, and / or other inventory system 10. It is possible to initiate a specific task involving the element. The management module 15 selects the components of inventory system 10 to perform these tasks, and transmits commands, instructions, and / or other appropriate information to the selected components for these tasks. Can help complete. The following description, work requests from other components 60 (by as shown in Figure 2 of the inventory system 10 focuses on the embodiment of the inventory system 10 that receives and Una orders 60), the management module 15 , Requests 60 may be received from any suitable system or component, and alternative or additional such requests may themselves be generated using any suitable technique.

0015The movable drive unit 20 may move the inventory holder 30 between locations within the workspace associated with the inventory system 10. The movable drive unit 20 may represent any device or component suitable for use in inventory system 10 based on the characteristics and configuration of the inventory holder 30 and / or other elements of inventory system 10. In certain embodiments of the inventory system 10, the movable drive unit 20 represents a stand-alone, built-in robotic device configured to move freely around the associated workspace. In an alternative embodiment, the movable drive unit 20 is configured to move the inventory holder 30 along a pathway, rail, cable, or other guide element across the associated workspace. Represents an element of inventory system 10 with. In such an embodiment, the movable drive unit 20 may receive power through a connection to a guide element such as an energized rail.

0016The movable drive unit 20 can communicate with the management module 15 during operation and can receive information identifying the selected inventory holder 30, can transmit the location of the movable drive unit 20, or can transmit the location of the movable drive unit 20. Any other suitable information used by the management module 15 or the movable drive unit 20 may be exchanged. The mobile drive unit 20 may communicate wirelessly with the management module 15 using a wired connection between the mobile drive unit 20 and the management module 15 and / or in any other suitable manner. As an example, some embodiments of the movable drive unit 20 are Wi-Fi (IEEE802.11), Bluetooth® (IEEE802.15), Infrared Communications Association standards, or any other suitable. Wireless communication protocols may be used to communicate with and / or with the management module 15. As another example, in an inventory system 10 with a route, the route or other guide element on which the movable drive unit 20 moves is the movable drive unit 20 and other components of the inventory system 10. Can be wired to aid communication with.

0017The inventory holder 30 stores the inventory item 32. In some embodiments, the inventory holder 30 includes a plurality of storage boxes, each storage box capable of accommodating various types of inventory items 32. The inventory holder 30 can be transported, transported, or otherwise moved by a movable drive unit 20. In some embodiments, the inventory holder 30 may provide additional propulsion to supplement the propulsion provided by the movable drive unit 20 as the inventory holder 30 is moved. In addition, in certain embodiments, each inventory holder 30 may have multiple faces, and each box may be reachable through a particular face of the associated inventory holder 30. The movable drive unit 20 may be configured to rotate the inventory holder 30 at the appropriate time to present a particular surface of the inventory holder 30 and associated boxes to the operator or other component of the inventory system 10.

0018Inventory item 32 represents any object suitable for goods receipt, goods issue, and / or processing in the automated inventory system 10. For the purposes of this description, an "inventory item" may represent any one or more objects of a particular type stored in the inventory system 10. As an example, the inventory system 10 may represent a retail distribution warehouse that stores a large amount of inventory items 32 for retail facilities such as grocery stores and / or merchandise warehouses. As another example, the inventory system 10 can represent a mail order warehouse and the inventory item 32 can represent goods stored in a warehouse facility. During operation, the movable drive unit 20 may take out the inventory holder 30 which houses one or more inventory items 32 requested by the order for packing for delivery to the customer. Moreover, in certain embodiments of the inventory system 10, the box containing the aligned orders may itself represent an inventory item.

0019The container holder 40 houses the container 42 in which the inventory item 32 is classified. For example, container holder 40 may be configured to store orders for various inventory items 32. The container holder 40 may have any suitable structure and store the container 42 in any suitable manner, based on the type of container 42 utilized in the inventory system 10 or any other suitable factor. Can be configured as In some embodiments, the container holder 40 represents a type of inventory holder configured to carry pallets, and may be moved by a movable drive unit 20. The container holder 40 may include one or more platforms or shelves on which the container 42 is placed. Additional or alternative, the container holder 40 may include multiple boxes, each containing a container 42 of a different size or type.

0020Container 42 represents any suitable form of container in which inventory item 32 is placed in or on it for storage, shipping, or other suitable purpose. Examples of container 42 include, but are not limited to, boxes, pallets, bins, tote bags, cartons, and envelopes. In certain embodiments, the container 42 is independent of the container holder 40 in which the container 42 is stored, so that the container 42 can be removed from the container holder 40 for processing, or any other container holder 40. Can be transferred to. As an example, container 42 can represent a box or pallet, in-box or on pallets, inventory items 32 related to a particular order can be stored for delivery, and related container 42 is related to the order. Can be shipped to customers. As another example, container 42 may represent a box or other container in which inventory item 32 may be placed for long-term storage and moved to a special location or removed from inventory system 10. ..

0021The container holder 40 designated for shipment to a remote facility may be referred to herein as a shipping container 142. An exemplary embodiment of the shipping container 142 is shown in FIG. Additional or alternative, shipping container 142 may represent one or more containers 42.

0022Inventory station 50 also includes inventory items such as a scanner for monitoring the flow of inventory item 32 in and out of inventory system 10, a communication interface for communicating with management module 15, and / or any other suitable component. It may represent any suitable component for 32 processing or handling. The inventory station 50 may be fully or partially controlled by a human operator, or it may be fully automated. In addition, a human or automated operator at inventory station 50 may be able to perform certain tasks on inventory item 32, such as packing or counting inventory item 32, as part of the operation of inventory system 10.

0023As used in the description below, "inventory station" refers to a location where any suitable processing work assisted by inventory system 10 is completed, but certain embodiments of inventory system 10 are assisted by inventory system 10. It may include a specialized inventory station 50 suitable for performing a single processing task. In addition, a particular embodiment of inventory system 10 may include inventory station 50, which can generally handle multiple types of work request 60, but at any given time, one particular. It is configured to handle only type work request 60.

0024FIG. 2 is a bird's-eye view of an exemplary embodiment of an inventory system 10 capable of adjusting orders for a remote facility 100. The inventory system 10 includes the various elements described above with respect to FIG. 1, which are located in the workspace 70. In some embodiments, the inventory system 10 represents a distribution warehouse, while the remote facility 100 represents a retail facility that trades goods and / or services with consumers. For example, remote facility 100 may represent a grocery store or sales facility. In general, management module 15 receives orders 60 for various inventory items 32, determines that order 60 is associated with remote facility 100, and places order 60 based on layout 120 of remote facility 100. Determine the optimal packing arrangement for inventory item 32 required to fulfill. The inventory system 10 then adjusts the behavior of various elements of the inventory system 10 to fulfill the order so that the order is packed in the shipping container 142 according to the optimal packing arrangement. For example, the movable drive unit 20 may transport the inventory holder 30 and / or the container holder 40 to the inventory station 50 in an appropriate order so that the shipping container 142 can be packed according to the packing arrangement. In some embodiments, the order controls, guides, and / or determines the packing of the shipping container 142, depending on various factors, and is the last inventory item to be unpacked at the remote facility 100 32. Can be made to be packed first at inventory station 50.

0025The work space 70 of the inventory system 10 allows the movable drive unit 20 to move, the inventory holder 30 and the container holder 40 to be stored, and / or the order 60 is grouped in the shipping container 142 at the inventory station 50. Represents the area related to the inventory system 10 to obtain. For example, workspace 70 may represent all or part of the floor of a distribution center in which inventory system 10 operates. Further, FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the inventory system 10 that includes a physical space in which the workspace 70 is fixed and is default and finite for purposes of illustration, but a particular embodiment of the inventory system 10. May include a movable drive unit 20 and an inventory holder 30 configured to operate within a workspace 70 of various sizes and / or any geometry.

0026Facility 100 represents any suitable facility away from System 10 for storing, distributing, and / or selling inventory item 32. Facility 100 may represent a retail facility such as a grocery store, hardware store, warehouse, or other facility that sells various inventory items 32 or other items. Facility 100 may receive shipping containers 142 for inventory item 32 from inventory system 10 at various times. In such an embodiment, the inventory system 10 may represent a wholesale distribution center or other warehouse for managing inventory item 32. In other embodiments, facility 100 can be any particular system for storing inventory item 32. Facility 100 in the illustrated embodiment is shown as being remote from system 10, but it does not necessarily have to be. For example, in some embodiments, facility 100 may represent part of inventory system 10 and / or may be physically accessible to inventory system 10.

0027Facility 100 includes various inventory holders 130 and a staging area 150. Inventory holder 130 may be arranged according to a particular layout 120. As shown, the layout 120 of the inventory holder 130 of the remote facility 100 is configured as passages 92a-92n within the facility 100. Each aisle 92 of the inventory holder 130 can accommodate various types of inventory item 32. The aisle 92 may be divided into sections 94, each section 94 containing one or more specific subtypes of inventory item 32. For example, a grocery store or warehouse may display various items on shelves 130 arranged in aisle 92 for consumers to shop. Goods can be arranged by type and various subtypes in a manner that is common in such stores. For example, a grocery store would specifically include aisle 92 for bread making and aisle 92 for canned food. Sections 94a-94n may represent the sections of each aisle that house the inventory item 32 of a particular subtype. For example, in the aisle 92 of a bakery product, section 94a can store flour, section 94b can store sugar, and section 94n can store spices. As another example, in the canned product aisle 92, vegetables can be stored in section 94a, fruits can be stored in section 94b, and soup can be stored in section 94n.

0028It should be noted that although the remote facility 100 is shown to include an aisle 92 having sections 94 of a particular layout and geometry, the facility 100 may have any suitable layout and geometry. In addition, although provided specific illustrations as an example, the concepts of this disclosure may apply to any number and / or type of facility 100 that stores inventory items 32 of various types and categories. Thus, facility 100 is shown as placing inventory item 32 in an aisle 92 with section 94, where facility 100 is any suitable placement and / or geometry of inventory item 32 within inventory holder 130. Can be placed in any suitable layout 120 with.

0029Layout 120 may, in some embodiments, be encoded on a computer-readable medium as a virtual map of inventory 32 within facility 100. Layout 120 may be acquired, stored, and / or received by management module 15 to help fulfill order 60 associated with facility 100. For example, layout 120 can be information modeled in a computer-aided design (CAD) document or other electronic modeling tool. In some embodiments, layout 120 may be developed at facility 100, system 10, or other location with a workstation computer, management module, or other electronic interface. In some embodiments, the management module 15 can be used to develop layout 120 with the appropriate interface.

0030Inventory holder 130 represents any suitable holder, shelf, rack, container, or any combination of these suitable for accommodating inventory item 32 in facility 100. For example, inventory holder 130 may represent various display shelves and / or be placed in aisle 92 within facility 100. In some embodiments, the inventory holder 130 may be similar and / or the same as the inventory holder 30 described above. Inventory holder 130 may be configured to present inventory item 32 to customers and / or customers at facility 100 for sale and / or use. Although illustrated as discrete components, inventory holder 130 may represent a rack containing substantially continuous shelves within facility 100.

0031The staging area 150 represents a location designated for acceptance of the shipping container 142 into the facility 100. In some embodiments, the staging area 150 may represent an inventory station 50 for performing activities similar to those described above for the inventory station 50, optionally tailored to the facility 100. The staging area 150 includes, for example, a loading dock for receiving shipping containers 142 corresponding to one or more orders. The staging area 150 can be used to store various shipping containers 142 that house orders 60 until the appropriate time when the shipping container 142 can be unpacked for replenishment and / or inventory replenishment of inventory holder 130. ..

0032During operation, facility 100 engages in normal sales activities, where various inventory items 32 are removed from inventory holder 130 for sale, use, and / or purchase. Since the inventory item 32 is removed from the inventory holder 130, the facility 100 may sometimes need to restock and / or replenish the inventory item 32 in the inventory holder 130. As a result, one or more orders 60 may be placed against inventory system 10 including inventory item 32 for which inventory holder 130 of facility 100 is desired to be replenished.

0033When the order 60 is received by the inventory system 10, the management module 15 can help place the inventory item 32 of the order 60 in the shipping container 142. Management module 15 may determine and / or obtain inventory unpacking order for remote facility 100. Based on the stock unpacking order, the management module 15 may determine the custom packing arrangement. The order packing arrangement may control, adjust, and / or guide the order in which the inventory items 32 in order 60 should be packed for shipping. The management unit 15 can then issue various commands, instructions, and / or tasks to various components of the system 10 to help fulfill the order 60 according to the order packing arrangement. In this way, the inventory system 10 assists in how inventory item 32 can be removed from shipping container 142 at facility 100 in the same order that it is expected to be placed in inventory holder 130. In some embodiments, the management module 15 may determine one or more suitable replenishment routes 116 for the shipping container 142 to follow and move when unpacked within the facility 100. To save the time and / or hassle required to determine the appropriate aisle 92 and / or section 94 for each inventory item 32 removed from each shipping container 142, facility 100 is restocked and restocked. / Or various work efficiencies and / or time savings associated with replenishment activities can be achieved.

0034Management module 15 may determine, acquire, and / or receive inventory unpacking order based on the location of various inventory items 32 in inventory holder 130. The inventory unpacking order determines the optimal order in which inventory item 32 is unpacked from various shipping containers 142 and placed in inventory holder 130 based on the location of inventory item 32 in inventory holder 130. Get based. The optimal unpacking sequence may try to minimize various factors such as the total distance traveled by the worker unpacking the shipping container 142 and / or the time required to unpack the various inventory items 32. In some embodiments, the unpacking sequence defines one or more optimal routes that the movable drive unit 20 located at facility 100 may take to complete the unpacking sequence1 Includes one or more restocking channels. The restocking route can be one or more routes in a set that can be determined based on the optimal order for unloading inventory item 32. To determine the inventory replenishment route, management module 15 can assume that virtually all sections 94 of facility 100 have been replenished. If determined, the management module 15 may use the stock unpacking sequence and / or stock replenishment route to define the custom packing arrangement in system 10. Management module 15 is one or two corresponding to a given order 60, based on inventory item 32, inventory unpacking order, and / or a roughly determined inventory replenishment route placed in shipping container 142. One or more specific replenishment routes 116 may be determined additionally or alternatives. Although the replenishment route is described herein as being determined by management module 15, it should be noted that the replenishment route may be determined by any suitable component, such as a separate management module at facility 100. I want to.

0035In some embodiments, the management module 15 may determine the optimal inventory unpacking order based on the layout 120 of the facility 100. The determination of the unpacking order can be initiated, for example, by obtaining and / or receiving layout 120 from facility 100 or other workstation at an appropriate location. For example, management module 15 may analyze layout 120 to determine the location of inventory item 32 in inventory holder 130 within facility 100. However, in some embodiments, the management module 15 may receive and / or obtain the unpacking sequence itself from an external source. In some embodiments, the management module 15 may receive an unpacking sequence via an electronic interface. In some embodiments, the unpacking order may refer to the optimal and / or preferred order in which inventory item 32 is unpacked at facility 100. For example, inventory item 32 may be unpacked in the same order in which inventory item 32 is placed in inventory holder 130. In some embodiments, the inventory order may be based on the determination that the shipping container 142 should be unpacked according to the order in which the inventory columns 92a-92n are arranged within the facility. For example, the inventory sequence may be based on the sequential unpacking of inventory items 32 from aisle 92n to aisle 92a. In addition or alternatives, the inventory sequence may be based on the sequential unpacking of inventory item 32 by section 94. The inventory order can be based on the sequential unpacking of inventory item 32 from each aisle 94a through aisle 94b. The inventory sequence may consider unpacking inventory item 32 both by passage 92 and by section 94. However, it should be understood that the inventory order does not have to be based on aisle 92 and section 94, and that management module 15 may be able to parse any particular layout 120 to determine the appropriate inventory order.

0036In some embodiments, the management module 15 may consider the various factors and / or characteristics of the facility 100 to determine the appropriate unpacking order. In some embodiments, the management module 15 may determine the inventory unpacking order based on the relative distance of the inventory item 32 from the staging area 150. For example, it may be advantageous to unpack the inventory item 32 designated for inventory holder 130 far from the staging area 150 earlier than the inventory item 32 designated for inventory holder 130 near staging area 150. Additional or alternative, management module 15 may take into account preferences or other factors received from facility 100 when determining inventory order for facility 100.

0037Layout 120 may be transmitted and / or stored by management module 15 at various times as needed. The layout 120 may be transmitted to the management module 15 by any suitable method such as a network or other electronic transmission means. If the layout 120 of facility 100 changes or is changed, the new layout 120 may be transmitted and / or stored for analysis by management module 15. In response to acquiring layout 120, management module 15 may analyze layout 120 to determine the optimal inventory unpacking order associated with facility 100. In some embodiments, the management module 15 may receive and / or obtain an unpacking order in a manner similar to that described herein for layout 120.

0038Based on the unpacking order, management module 15 may determine the order placement for order 60 related to facility 100. Management module 15 may receive orders 60 for various inventory items 32 that may be designated for shipment to facility 100. For example, an order 60 given by facility 100 may include various inventory items 32 specified in various inventory holders 130 in layout 120. Management module 15 may determine that order 60 is associated with the corresponding inventory unpacking sequence associated with facility 100. Based on the inventory unpacking order associated with facility 100, management module 15 may determine the order packing arrangement for one or more orders 60. The order packing arrangement determined by management module 15 may include the order in which inventory item 32 is packed in one or more containers 142. For example, the management module 15 may determine the order packing arrangement based on the relative position in the unpacking order of each inventory item 32 in order 60. For example, aisle 92 may include canned products, and section 94 of aisle 92 contains vegetables, fruits, and soup, respectively. The order unpacking order can be soup first, then fruits, then vegetables. If order 60 is received for vegetables and soup, management module 15 may determine that the order packing arrangement is for packing vegetables first and then soup.

0039The management module 15 can help pack the inventory items 32 contained in order 60 according to the order packing arrangement. The custom packing arrangement may adjust, guide, and / or control the order in which the inventory items 32 are packed in the shipping container 142 and / or the arrangement of the inventory items 32 within the shipping container 142. An order packing arrangement may indicate the order in which inventory item 32 of one or more orders 60 can be packed for shipment to facility 100 in inventory system 10. Inventory item 32 may be packed according to the custom packing arrangement. The order packing arrangement is calculated by the management module 15 so that it is the optimum packing arrangement for the inventory item 32 in the order 60, and the shipping container 142 containing the inventory item 32 in the order 60 is optimally unpacked. It may be unpacked in order.

0040In determining the custom packing arrangement, the management module 15 may consider various custom packing constraints in some embodiments. Custom packing constraints may, in some cases, take precedence over packing orders set according to the stock unpacking order. For example, it can be pointed out that custom packing constraints should not place crushable items under heavy items in shipping container 142, even if they are calculated to be required early in the unpacking order. .. A more detailed description of how custom packing constraints can be considered is described below with respect to FIG.

0041How the inventory item 32 should be physically placed and / or directed within each container 142 as part of the order packing placement determination, additionally or alternatively. Can be determined. For example, the management module 15 may consider the dimensions and shape of each inventory item 32 in order to place the optimum number of inventory items 32 in the shipping container 142.

0042In some embodiments, the management module 15 may be able to determine an order packing arrangement that is planned to pack a plurality of containers 142 according to the inventory order of the facility 100. For example, in the illustrated example, management module 15 determines an order packing arrangement for a given order 60 in which container 142a is packed with inventory item 32 for inventory holder 130 in aisle 92n. Containers 142b and 142c are sequentially packed with inventory item 32 for aisle 92 between 92n and 92a. Container 142d is packed with inventory item 32 for aisle 92a. According to the custom packing arrangement, the management module 15 determines the packing order for container 142a, then container 142b, then container 142c, and finally container 142d. In an additional embodiment, management module 15 may help fulfill order 60 by packing inventory items 32 in container 142 in the order in which inventory items 32 appear in sections 94a through 94n.

0043Again, we have provided a concrete description of the order packing arrangement determination, but this example is provided merely as a description, and the management module 15 has any number and quantity of inventory items 32. It should be understood that it may be possible to determine the order placement for any given number of orders 60. In addition, the management module 15 may be able to determine the order placement for any number and type of facility 100 with any combination of layouts 120. Additional or alternative, the management module 15 may be able to determine the custom packing arrangement in which a single container 142a is packed to fill inventory holders in multiple aisles 92a-92n. In such an embodiment, the management module 15 is unpacked with container 142a, for example, in sections 94n to 94a in aisle 92a, then in sections 94a to 94n in aisle 92b, and optionally below. Order placement can be determined.

0044Management 15 may issue various commands, instructions, and / or tasks to various components of system 10 to help fulfill order 60 according to the order packing arrangement. Management module 15 may issue orders to help pack inventory item 32 for order 60. For example, according to the determined order packing arrangement, the management module 15 assigns various tasks to the movable drive unit 20 to put containers 40 and / or 30 containing inventory item 32 for order 60 into inventory station 50. Can be transported. At inventory station 50, management module 15 may assign tasks to pack containers 142 according to order placement. As shown, the management module assists in packing container 142a, then container 142b, then container 142c, then container 142d. Within each container 142, management module 15 can help pack individual inventory items 32.

0045A more detailed description of how management module 15 can help pack individual inventory items 32 into a given shipping container 142 is described in detail below with respect to FIG. Various techniques that can be utilized by the inventory system 10 to help pack order 60 for shipping include drifting. For example, management module 15 may utilize one or more drift spaces and / or queues associated with inventory station 50 to help fulfill order 60. For example, management module 15 can utilize drift space to help enforce one or more packaging constraints.

0046Upon completion of containers 142a-142d, each container 142 of order 60 may be transported from inventory system 10 to facility 100 in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, all orders 60 may not be shipped at the same time. On the contrary, the containers 142 can be shipped each time each container 142 is completed. In some embodiments, container 142 may be placed in a common package for delivery to facility 100. Facility 100 may accept a portion of order 60 contained in container 142 received in staging area 150. Each container 142 can then be moved to its respective aisle 92. When each container 142 is unpacked, inventory item 32 may be removed from each container 142 so that the first inventory item 32 removed from each container 142 can be placed in the appropriate section 94 of aisle 92. .. Once inventory items 32 have been removed from each container 142, these inventory items 32 may be sequentially placed in sections 94a through 94n or otherwise, if desired. In this way, when the shipping container 142 corresponding to the inventory item 32 in the order 60 is unpacked at the facility 100, the inventory item 32 is the inventory unpacking order corresponding to the layout 120 of the inventory item 32 in the facility 100. Can be taken out in the order of. In some embodiments, management module 15 provides specific replenishment routes 116 at remote facility 100 to each shipping container 142 based on the placement and / or layout 120 of inventory items 32 packed within container 142. Can be judged against. The replenishment route 116 can guide the movement of the shipping container 142 within the remote facility when the load is unloaded. Additional or alternative, replenishment route 116 may determine the order in which shipping containers 142 can be unloaded. For example, management module 15 may send instructions to the components of facility 100 to move container 142 for replenishment along a particular route 116 within facility 100. The order is for the specific shipping container to be unloaded first 14 It may include two choices, as well as the order in which the other shipping containers 142 are to be unloaded in sequence. Additional or alternative, the shipping container 142 may follow a given replenishment route 116 substantially at the same time as and / or unrelated to the unloading of the other shipping containers 142.

0047Replenishment route 116 can be calculated so that inventory item 132 can be retrieved in the appropriate aisles 92 and section 94 according to the inventory unpacking order. In this way, the instruction indicates when inventory item 32 in container 142 should slow down and / or stop at various points along path 116, corresponding to section 94, which should be moved to the appropriate inventory holder 130. Can include. In some embodiments, route 116b may move back and forth in a given aisle 94 based on inventory item 32 packed according to custom packing constraints. Therefore, the movable drive unit 20 can move back and forth in path 116b. For example, path 116b advances to inventory holder 130, which contains the relatively fragile item 32 packed in the second half of the order placement, and then holds the inventory holder, which contains the relatively fragile item 32, packed in the first half of the order placement. Can retreat to 130. In some embodiments, the facility 100 may include one or more movable drive units 20 capable of receiving instructions. Based on the command, the movable drive unit 20 may transport the shipping container 142 along the replenishment path 116. The movable drive 20 unit may stop at an appropriate location along each path, such as at each point along the path 116 where one or more inventory items 132 should be removed from the container 142. In some embodiments, the movable drive unit 20 may provide some audio and / or visual indication that the container 142 contains inventory item 132 to be unloaded at each stop point on path 116. ..

0048In some embodiments, the movable drive unit 20 may include suitable imaging and / or sensing devices capable of operating to detect the presence of inventory item 32 in inventory holder 130. While the movable drive unit 20 is moving along the replenishment path 116, the movable drive unit 20 may detect inventory item 32. The movable drive unit 20 can compare the detected quantity of inventory item 32 with a predetermined threshold quantity of inventory item 32. If the quantity of inventory item 32 detected is less than the threshold, the mobile drive unit 20 may submit order 60 to inventory system 10. Alternatively or additionally, the movable drive unit 20 notifies the management module 15 or other suitable component of the facility 100 of the quantity of inventory item 32 in inventory holder 130. Accordingly, the management module 15 may place an order 60 for an additional quantity of inventory item 32. The movable drive unit 20 may transmit information indicating the amount of inventory 32 required by the facility 100 to a wireless access point or other network element capable of communicating information to the management module 15 via a network connection. .. For example, a management module similar to the management module 15 located at facility 100 may receive information and place an order 60 if additional inventory item 32 is required. Based on the order 60 received from the facility 100, the management module 15 may instruct the components of the inventory system 10 to fulfill the order 60 according to the techniques described above. In some embodiments, the movable drive unit 20 is configured to travel other paths within the facility 100 to determine the quantity of various inventory items 32 in inventory holder 130. For example, the movable drive unit 20 may travel such a path when the passenger foot is calculated to be minimal.

0049In some embodiments, the facility 100 may include a point-of-sale system or other suitable system for tracking inventory items 32 within the facility 100. The point-of-sale management system may, for example, monitor the inventory level in the inventory holder 130. Replenishment order 60 may be placed based on the quantity in stock in the expected inventory holder 130 based on the sale of inventory item 32 through the point-of-sale system. If the inventory level drops below some predetermined threshold, it can initiate a replenishment order 60 for additional inventory item 32. The movable drive unit 20 can be used to detect the actual inventory item 32 in the inventory holder 130, which is compared to the expected amount of inventory item 32 and the expected amount of inventory It can be ensured to match the actual amount of inventory.

0050In retail facilities, inventory item 32 is often inaccurately and / or incorrectly shelved within the facility. For example, a shopper may cancel the purchase of a particular item and may place the item on a nearby shelf rather than returning it to the correct location in the store. Therefore, in some embodiments, the movable drive unit 20 detects inventory holder 130 and / or inventory item 32 at another location in facility 100 and is misplaced or lost. Inventory item 32 can be determined. The movable drive unit 20 may use a camera or a suitable photodetector to scan inventory item 30 at a particular inventory holder 130 or other location. Image processing or other appropriate signal analysis is used by the movable drive unit 20 and / or the management module to make inventory item 32 in inventory holder 130 into the type of inventory item 32 expected in that inventory holder 130. It can be determined whether they match. If the inventory items 32 do not match, the movable drive unit 20 and / or the management module 15 may determine the correct inventory holder 30 to which the inventory item 32 belongs. Additional or alternative, the movable drive unit 20 provides the appropriate message and / or signal and is misplaced and / or lost inventory on the operator or other component of the facility 100. Can indicate the location of item 32.

0051FIG. 3 is another exemplary embodiment of an inventory system 10 capable of adjusting orders for a remote facility 100. The inventory system 10 can operate in a manner similar to that described above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2. The remote facility 100 can similarly operate in a manner similar to that described above. As shown in FIG. 3, the remote facility 100 may also include a movable drive unit 20 capable of transporting the display shelves 132 to the inventory station 152. When the package in container 142 is delivered to the remote facility 100, the management module, such as the management module 15 or a similar management module that controls the operation and coordination of components at the remote facility 100, has various mobile drives. Unit 20 may be instructed to transport inventory holder 132, which requires inventory item 32 in one or more of containers 142, to inventory station 152.

0052The display shelf 132 shown in FIG. 3 may be similar to the inventory holder 130 described above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2. In addition, the display shelves 132 may be connectable to the movable drive unit 20 in a manner similar to that described above for inventory holders 30 and / or container holders 40. In this way, the display shelf 132 may represent a movable display shelf or other suitable movable inventory holder capable of operating to store and / or display inventory items in a remote facility 100, and is movable. Can be transported to a destination within the remote facility 100 by the drive unit 20 of the. Although illustrated as having a particular layout 120 for display shelves 132, it should be noted that facility 100 may have any suitable layout 120.

0053Inventory station 152 may represent any suitable component for processing or handling container 142 and / or inventory item 32. For example, inventory station 152 may represent an appropriate location where inventory can be restocked on display shelves 132. Inventory station 152 restocks, such as a scanner for monitoring the flow of inventory item 32 in and out of remote facility 100, a communication interface for communicating with management module 15, and / or any other suitable component. It may include any suitable equipment to assist the activity. Inventory station 152 is a human<u style="single">Pele</u>It may be fully or partially controlled by the data, or it may be fully automatic. In addition, a human or automated operator at inventory station 152 performs certain tasks on inventory item 32, such as unpacking and / or counting inventory item 32 from container 142, as part of the operation of remote facility 100. It can be feasible. Inventory station 152 may include and / or form all or part of the staging area 150 described above with respect to FIG. Although described as containing one inventory station 152, it should be noted that the remote facility 100 may include any suitable number of inventory stations 152.

0054The remote facility 100 can operate in a manner similar to that described above with respect to FIG. For example, remote facility 100 engages in normal business activities, where various inventory items 32 are removed from display shelves 132. From time to time, the remote facility 100 may determine to place an order 60 for an additional inventory item 132 that could be used to replenish the display shelves 132. When the package of inventory item 32 is received at inventory station 152, management module 15 may select a display shelf 132 containing the storage location specified for inventory item 132 from the package. For example, management module 15 compares inventory item 132 in the package with a virtual map of inventory item 32 in layout 120 and selects a particular display shelf 132 where inventory item 32 in the package should be placed. obtain. The management module 15 may then issue task assignments to the various movable drive units 20 to transport the selected display shelves 132 to the inventory station 152 where these display shelves 132 can be restocked.

0055The management module 15 may determine the unpacking order for the remote facility 100. For example, management module 15 takes into account the layout 120 of the various display shelves 132 in the remote facility 100, and the optimal order in which the display shelves 132 are transported to the inventory station 152 to receive inventory items 32 from the display shelves 132. Can be determined. The order can be based, for example, on minimizing disruption to ongoing sales activities at remote facility 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the management module 15 may determine to restock the display shelves 132 in an order according to how these display shelves 132 are arranged in the aisle 92. In some embodiments, the remote facility 100 may close row 92 and / or prevent entry into row 92 while display shelves 132 are being transported by the movable drive unit 20. In such embodiments, it may be desirable to move the display shelves 132 in the order in which these display shelves 132 appear in section 94. As shown, the management module may determine to transport the display shelves 132a first to the inventory station 152, then to the display shelves 132b, then to the display shelves 132c, and then to the display shelves 132d. The management module 15 may also determine the optimal unpacking order, assuming that all or substantially all display shelves 132 at the remote facility 100 need to be restocked. However, although the continuous section 94 of column 92 is described as being restocked, it should be noted that the restocking activities of display shelves 132 can occur in any suitable order. For example, management module 15 may determine to randomly restock display shelves 132 and / or average the placement of display shelves 132 to be restocked in various rows 92 of remote facilities 100. ..

0056Management module 15 may adjust order 60 for shipment to remote facility 100 in a manner similar to that described above with respect to FIG. In some embodiments, the management module 15 may adjust the order 60 based on the optimal unpacking order determined based on the layout 120 of the remote facility 100. The particular order 60 may be packed in the order in which the inventory items 32 should be placed in the inventory station 132 when these display shelves 132 arrive at the inventory station 152 for inventory replenishment. The management module 15 can assist in packing order 60 in inventory system 10 according to the order arrangement described above with respect to FIG. 2 and described below with respect to FIGS. 5-8. Once the order has been adjusted for shipping, the package may be sent to the remote facility 100 using any suitable means of transportation.

0057Management module 15 may select a display shelf 132 that receives inventory item 32 based on the placement of inventory item 32 in shipping container 142. The management module 15 may determine the replenishment order of the display shelves 132 selected to receive the inventory item 32 based on the placement of the inventory item 32 in the package. The management module 15 may additionally or alternatively determine the replenishment order based on the arrangement of the plurality of display shelves 132 in the retail facility. The replenishment order may correspond to the inventory unpacking order of inventory item 32 at the time of unpacking. The replenishment sequence may also take into account any custom packing constraints that affect the placement of inventory item 32 in shipping container 142. In one example, if a particular piece of luggage is packed starting from the top, then spices, then flour, then sugar on the bottom, management module 15 will first store the specific display shelves 132 designated to store spice products. , Subsequently, a display shelf 132 designated to store flour, followed by a display shelf 132 designated to store sugar may be selected for first shipment to inventory station 150. The management module 15 may then issue task assignments to the various movable drive units 20 to transport the selected display shelves 132 to the inventory station 152 according to the determined replenishment order.

0058The management module 15 may determine the schedule for the movable drive unit 20 to transport the selected display shelves 132 to the inventory station 152 for replenishment. For example, the management module 15 may store and / or obtain a default time when consumer activity at a remote facility 100 is likely to be low. In some embodiments, the management module 15 may receive information from suitable sensors that provide the actual number of consumers at the remote facility 100. Management module 15 may track trends in consumer activity and / or schedule replenishment to occur when consumer activity is expected to be below or below a predetermined threshold. In some embodiments, management module 15 may select specific times designated for replenishment activities, such as late at night and / or other times when the remote facility 100 is expected to have few consumers. .. Management module 15 may additionally or alternatively schedule replenishment activities when the operator of inventory station 152 is available. Management module 15 may also select a specific time frame in which the replenishment activity can be completed, which may be based on the estimated and / or actual time expected to complete the replenishment activity. In some embodiments, management module 15 may schedule additional tasks related to inventory item 32. For example, the management module 15 may determine that a particular inventory item 32 should be disposed of from a particular display shelf 132. For example, management module 15 may determine that perishable inventory item 32, such as fruit or bread, has expired and must be removed from display shelf 132. As another example, management module 15 may determine to replace inventory item 32 with another inventory item 32. For example, a new inventory item 32 that is expected to sell better can be replaced by an old inventory item 32. Depending on the determination that such inventory items need to be removed from the retail facility, management module 15 commands one or more mobile drive units to store the inventory items. Alternatively, two or more display shelves 132 may be transported to inventory station 152. At inventory station 152, inventory items are removed from display shelves 132. Additional or alternative, management module 15 may determine that inventory item 32 is to be integrated into a particular display shelf 132, and / or that display shelf 132 should be relocated according to a new or different layout 120. .. In this way, the management module 15 can command the various movable drive units 20 to transport the display shelves 132 to a new location within the facility 100. The management module 15 may coordinate the operation of the movable drive unit 20 to ensure that the display shelves 132 are transported in an orderly manner and / or when the consumer traffic is low. In some embodiments, retail facility 100 may also receive the entire display shelf 132 with replacement inventory item 32 from inventory system 10. These display shelves 132 may be stored in the storage area until required by the retail department of Facility 100. The management module 15 may determine that the quantity of inventory item 32 on a particular display shelf 132 has fallen below a predetermined threshold. Accordingly, the management module 15 may search and / or select a replacement display shelf 132 having an additional quantity of these inventory items 32. The management module 15 may then instruct one or more movable drive units to replace a particular display shelf 132 with a replacement display shelf 132.

0059While transporting the display shelves 132 to the inventory station 152, the movable drive unit 20 may avoid collisions with consumers or other objects at remote facility 100. For example, as the movable drive unit 20 moves the shelves 132 along the path towards the inventory station 152, obstacles and / or motion detectors continuously move objects in the path of the movable drive unit 20. Can be monitored. If an obstacle is detected, the movable drive unit 20 may take steps to avoid collision with the object. In some embodiments, the movable drive unit 20 may be able to distinguish between inanimate objects and non-living objects such as consumers or other humans. If the mobile drive unit 20 detects an inanimate object, the mobile drive unit 20 may request a new route from the management module 15 to the inventory station 152. If the movable drive unit 20 detects that the object is a human, the movable drive unit 20 stops moving along the path and waits for the human to leave near the movable drive unit 20. obtain. In this way, the movable drive unit 20 can operate at the remote facility 100 while advancing business activities, and can minimize the influence on human activities.

0060In the illustrated example, the movable drive unit 20 continuously transports the display shelves 132a, 132b, 132c, and 132d to the inventory station 152. At inventory station 152, an automated device and / or a human operator removes inventory item 32 from shipping containers 142a-142d and places inventory item 32 in the appropriate shelves, boxes, and / or containers on display shelf 132. Can be placed. According to the teachings of the present disclosure, the appropriate display shelf 132 is the inventory station 152 at or around the time when the inventory item 32 in the package is removed from the container 142 and placed in the appropriate display shelf 132. Can arrive at.

0061After each display shelf 132 receives the appropriate inventory item 32, the display shelf 132 may be shipped back to the designated location for the display shelf 132 in layout 120. For example, the management module 15 may issue an appropriate task to the movable drive unit 20 to return the display shelves 132 to their previous location in the remote facility 100. After the display shelf 132a receives the appropriate inventory item 32, the movable drive unit 20 may return the display shelf 132a to its original location. The shelves 132b, 132c, and 132d may receive inventory item 32 and be returned to their respective original locations as well. In this way, inventory replenishment activities at the remote facility 100 can proceed efficiently and in a timely manner.

0062FIG. 4 is another exemplary embodiment of an inventory system 10 capable of adjusting orders for a remote facility 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the inventory system 10 can operate in a manner similar to that described above with respect to FIGS. 1-3. As shown, the remote facility 100 also includes storage shelves 144, a receiving station 154, an inventory replenishment station 156, and a retail station 158. Storage shelves 144 may be located in storage areas or at other locations physically and / or logically separated from display shelves 132. At the receiving station 154, the restocking station 156, and the retail station 158, various operations related to the shipping container 142 and / or the display shelf 132 can be performed. For example, shipping containers 142 may be received at retail facility 100 at receiving station 154, where inventory items 32 in those containers may be divided into storage shelves 144. Inventory item 32 may be stored on storage shelf 144 until appropriate time to restock display shelf 132. If management module 15 determines to restock a particular display shelf 132, one movable drive unit 20 may coordinate the transport of storage shelves 144 and display shelves 132 to restocking station 156, where. The display shelf 132 may receive the replacement inventory item 32. Additional or alternative, management module 15 may transport shipping container 142 to inventory replenishment station 156.

0063In some embodiments, the remote facility 100 may operate such that inventory replenishment activities as well as consumer ordering activities are automated using a movable drive unit 20. In this way, the remote facility 100 can operate without the consumer having to enter the aisle 94 or manually remove the inventory item 32 from the display shelf 132. Consumers may place orders for various inventory items 32 at retail station 158 within a remote facility 100. The movable drive unit 20 may transport the appropriate display shelves 132 to the retail station 158 so that the consumer-ordered inventory item 32 can be picked up and / or purchased. However, in some embodiments, the consumer may utilize a portion of the retail facility 100 to select inventory item 42 directly from display shelves 132.

0064Storage shelf 144 stores replenishment inventory item 32 for display shelf 132. As shown, storage shelves 144 store backrooms and / or storage areas that store display shelves 132 and / or are physically and / or logically separated from parts of retail facility 100 that are available to consumers. Can be placed in. The storage shelf 144 can be substantially similar to the inventory holder 30 located in the inventory system 10. The storage shelf 144 may be configured to be transported by a movable drive unit 20 to an appropriate location within the facility 100. Storage ledge 144 may represent a temporary storage location for inventory item 32. Thus, inventory item 32 may be removed from shipping container 142 when display shelf 132 is unavailable for inventory replenishment and / or even if display shelf 132 does not yet require inventory item 32. For example, the shipping container 142 can be disassembled, and the inventory item 32 stored therein can be placed on the storage shelf 144 even when the consumer activity at the facility 100 is active.

0065Pick-up station 154 represents a station capable of receiving and / or shipping containers 142 and / or other items entering and exiting the remote facility 100. The receiving station 154 may represent an inventory station configured in a manner similar to the inventory station 152. At the receiving station 154, a package consisting of a container 142 can be received. The receiving station 154 may include a staging area similar to the staging area 150 for receiving the container 142, and in some embodiments a shipping dock or other suitable receiving for shipping the container 142. Can include areas. The receiving station 154 may include suitable equipment and / or operators for classifying inventory item 32 and / or removing it from container 142. Those inventory items 32 may be placed in storage shelves 144.

0066Inventory replenishment station 156 may represent an inventory station where various replenishment activities can be performed for display shelves 132. The inventory replenishment station 156 may represent an inventory station configured in a manner similar to the inventory station 152. At the restocking station 156, the operator may transfer inventory item 32 from the storage shelf 144 and / or the shipping container 142 to the appropriate display shelf 132 that has been transported to the restocking station 156 by the movable drive unit 20. The shipping container 142 may also be configured to be transported by the movable drive unit 20 to a suitable location near the restocking station 156.

0067A retail station 158 may represent a point-of-sale station that can operate to sell, rent, or otherwise exchange inventory item 32 to one or more customers in a remote facility 100. The retail station 158 may represent an inventory station configured in a manner similar to the inventory station 152. The retail station 158 may include a point-of-sale device, an ordering device, or other device from which the consumer may purchase inventory item 32. For example, the retail station 158 may include a consumer-available automatic ordering device that allows the consumer to place orders for various inventory items 32. Retail station 158 may include a kiosk or other self-service interface where customers can order inventory item 32 at facility 100. The retail station 158 may include an operator or automated device for transferring inventory item 32 from the display shelf 132 to a bag, packaging, box, or other container that the consumer can use at facility 100. In some embodiments, the consumer himself may retrieve the inventory item 32 from the display shelf 132. Although described as containing one retail station 158, keep in mind that remote facility 100 may include any suitable number of retail stations 158 to meet consumer demand for orders for inventory item 32. I want to be. Similarly, the remote facility 100 may include any suitable number of receiving stations 154 and / or restocking stations 156.

0068During operation, consumers may place orders at retail station 158 for various inventory items 32 stored on display shelves 132. The management module 15 issues various task assignments to the movable drive unit 20 and transports the inventory holder to the retail station 158 so that the ordered inventory item 32 can be received by the consumer and / or It can be made available for purchase. In the process of such sales activities, the inventory item 32 may disappear from the display shelf 132. The point-of-sale management system may monitor inventory levels on display shelves 132, for example, in a manner similar to that described above for inventory holder 130. Therefore, the management module 15 may determine at various times to place an order for the additional replacement stock item 32, as described above with respect to FIG.

0069The management module 15 may place one or more orders 60 for replacement stock item 32 and / or adjust the orders for shipping in inventory system 10, as described above. The shipping container 142 corresponding to order 60 can be picked up at the receiving station 154.

0070When the shipping containers 142 are received at the receiving station 154, they may be classified and / or disassembled into groups of individual inventory items 32 and / or inventory items 32. The management module 15 may command one or more movable drive units to transport the storage shelves 144 to the receiving station 154. At the receiving station 154, the inventory item 32 may be placed on the storage shelf 144. Management module 15 may track which particular storage rack 144 receives a particular inventory item 32. Each storage shelf 144 may be pre-designated to receive a particular inventory item 32 and / or be available on the fly. The storage shelf 144 may be used to temporarily store the inventory item 32 until the management module 15 determines to replace the inventory item 32 of the display shelf 132. After receiving the inventory item 32 at the receiving station 154, the management module 15 transports the storage shelves 144 to the storage location for the movable drive unit 20 and the inventory items 32 required by those storage shelves 144. May be ordered to wait until needed at restocking station 156.

0071Management module 15 may detect that one or more display shelves 144 are low on inventory item 32. The management module 15 may determine that the quantity of inventory item 32 on the display shelf 132 has fallen below a predetermined threshold. Management module 15 may determine whether replacement stock item 32 is available on storage shelf 144 and / or whether order 60 should be placed for their additional stock item 32. If the required inventory item 32 is located on storage shelves 144 and / or shipping containers 142 located at facility 100, management module 15 adjusts the movable drive unit 20 for display. Inventory item 32 on shelf 132 may be replenished. For example, the management module 15 may coordinate the transport of the display shelves 132 and the storage shelves 144 so that the storage shelves 144 can be placed at the inventory station at the same time that the display shelves 132 are placed at the inventory station. Arrival of display shelves 132 and storage shelves 144 at restocking station 156 can be timed so that storage shelves 144 and storage shelves 132 arrive at substantially the same time, and / or storage shelves 144 are more than display shelves 132. The time may be adjusted to arrive first. For example, the management module 15 may determine that the quantity of inventory item 32 on the display shelf 132 is low. The management module 15 may schedule the time when the display shelf 132 is restocked at the restocking station 156. In this way, the management module 15 may schedule task assignments for one mobile drive unit 20 to transport the display shelves 132 to the inventory replenishment station 156 at the scheduled time. The management module 15 may determine which storage shelves 144 store the replacement stock item 32 and select the storage shelves 144 so that they are shipped to the restocking station 156 at substantially the same time. In this way, management module 15 schedules task assignments for another mobile drive unit 20 to restock storage shelves 144 that house replacement stock item 32. Can be transported to Station 156. In this way, the management module 15 commands the first movable drive unit 20 to transport the display shelves 132, and the other to transport the storage shelves 144 to the inventory replenishment station 156. Other commands may be issued to the movable drive unit 20. If both storage shelves 144 and display shelves 132 are at stock replenishment station 156, operators and / or automated devices may transfer inventory items 32 of the appropriate quantity and / or type from storage shelves 144 to display shelves 132. After replenishment with replacement stock item 32, management module 15 may issue a command for the movable drive unit 20 to return the display shelves 132 to their original location at facility 100, and / or facility the display shelves. Can be shipped to any other designated location in 100. Similarly, the management module 15 may issue the appropriate command for the movable drive unit 20 to transport the storage shelves 144 to the storage location of facility 100.

0072The management module 15 may determine an appropriate restocking order for display shelves 132. For example, the management module 15 may determine the restocking order in which the storage shelves 144 and the appropriate display shelves 132 are transported to the restocking station 156 by a movable drive unit. The management module 15 may also determine the schedule for the display shelves 132 and storage shelves 144 to be transported to the inventory replenishment station 156. The schedule may take into account similar considerations as described above. As shown, the order is specified for storage on display shelves 132, with suitable storage shelves 144a placed at inventory replenishment station 156 while display shelves 132 are transported to inventory replenishment station 156. Inventories 32 may be received from storage shelves 144. In some embodiments, the management module 15 determines the restocking order for the display shelves 132, while the management module 15 additionally or alternatives, based on a predetermined schedule and / or the display shelves. Note that the display shelves 132 can be scheduled for replenishment based on the detection that the inventory item 132 of 132 is low.

0073In the illustrated example, the movable drive unit 20 continuously transports the display shelves 132a, 132b, 132c, and 132d to the inventory replenishment station 156 according to the inventory replenishment sequence determined by the management module 15. Similarly, the movable drive unit 20 may continuously transport storage shelves 144a, 144b, 144c, and 144d from the receiving station 154 to the restocking station 156. At inventory replenishment station 156, an automated device and / or a human operator removes inventory item 32 from storage shelves 144a-144d and places inventory item 32 in the appropriate shelves, boxes, and / or containers on display shelf 132. Can be placed. According to the teachings of the present disclosure, a suitable display shelf 132 is at or around the time when inventory item 32 in the package is ready to be removed from storage shelves 144a-144d and placed in the appropriate display shelf 132. You can reach the restocking station 156. For example, storage shelves 144a may be moved to restocking station 156 and remain stationary, but one or more of display shelves 132a and / or display shelves 132b may be moved to restocking station 156. The inventory item 32 is received from the storage shelf 144. Similarly, storage shelves 144b-144d may be continuously moved to restocking station 156 when a location at restocking station 156 becomes available.

0074In some embodiments, the management module 15 may determine that the shipping container 142 should be unpacked and / or disassembled at the restocking station 156. Therefore, the management module 15 may consider the order packing arrangement and / or the order in which the inventory item 32 is removed from the shipping container 142. For example, management module 15 may first schedule a display shelf 132 designated to receive inventory item 32 that should first be removed from shipping container 142. Thus, each shipping container 142 may be ready for classification into the appropriate inventory item 32 while each display shelf 132a-132d moves to inventory replenishment station 156 in need of those inventory items 32.

0075After receiving the appropriate inventory item 32, the display shelves 132 may be returned to their respective original locations at the remote facility 100. In a fully automated remote facility 100 where both replenishment and ordering activities are automated, management module 15 can schedule replenishment activities in a more efficient way that is otherwise achievable. Can have additional flexibility.

0076FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of packing an order into container 142. As shown, container 142 may include inventory item 32 intended to fulfill order 60. The inventory items 32 may be transported to the inventory station 50 by entering the inventory holder 30 and / or the container holder 40 using the movable drive unit 20. The order in which inventory item 32 is transported to inventory station 50 may follow the order packing arrangement determined by management module 15. As shown, container 142 may include inventory item 32 intended to fill one or more sections 94 of aisle 92 in facility 100. For example, inventory item 32 for section 94n of a given aisle 92 can be packed first, and inventory item 32 for subsequent sections reaches inventory item 32 for section 94a of layout 120. Can be added. In some embodiments, container 142 may store two or more aisles 92 of inventory item 32. For example, if the end of aisle 92 is reached before the container 142 is fully packed, the management module 15 may add inventory item 32 from another aisle 92, such as aisle 92 adjacent to the previously packed aisle 92. Can help pack containers 142 in succession.

0077In some embodiments, the management module 15 may consider various other factors that constrain the packing of a given container 142. Therefore, custom packing constraints may be considered in addition to or as an alternative to the custom packing arrangement determined as described above. In some embodiments, the management module 15 may modify the custom packing arrangement based on various characteristics of inventory item 32. The management module 15 can modify the order placement based on various characteristics that can affect the order in which the inventory items can be packed, such as the dimensions, shape, weight, crushability, and / or volume of the inventory item 32. For example, management module 15 may determine that item 32 should be packed relatively early in the custom packing arrangement due to weight, dimensions and / or volume. As another example, the management module 15 may determine that relatively lightweight, more crushable, and / or fragile items should be placed later in the custom packing arrangement.

0078The management module 15 may determine, acquire, and / or store one or more characteristics of the inventory item 32 to be placed. Based on one or more characteristics, management module 15 may determine that there are custom packing constraints. For example, inventory item 32 can be a relatively heavy object such as a canned product, while other inventory item 32 can be a relatively lightweight item such as a cardboard box of another item. Management module 15 may modify the order placement so that the relatively heavy item 32 is placed below the container 142 than the relatively light item 32. Management module 15 may additionally or alternatively take into account the weight distribution and / or centroid of container 142 when determining whether to modify the order placement. For example, management module 15 modifies the order placement to keep the average weight distribution of the various items 32 in container 142 within acceptable limits. Thereby, the management module 15 may maintain an acceptable center of gravity of the container 142 to prevent the container 142 from tilting and / or becoming difficult to transport. As another example, the management module 15 may determine that relatively fragile items are placed so that they are packed later in the custom packing arrangement. Therefore, the management module 15 may attempt to optimize the order placement while ensuring that the container 142 remains stable for shipping.

0079The order packing arrangement determined by the management module 15 may include, in some embodiments, an instruction to place inventory item 32 in shipping container 142. The custom packing arrangement may additionally or optionally include instructions for arranging a plurality of shipping containers 142. In some embodiments, the management module 15 may provide an operator at inventory station 50 with instructions for adjusting the order in which inventory item 32 is placed in shipping container 142. In some embodiments, the management module 15 may instruct the operator how to place each inventory item 32 when placed in the shipping container 142. For example, management module 15 may indicate a location on the shipping container 142 for placing inventory item 32 and / or vertical and / or horizontal of inventory item 32 when placed at the indicated location. Can indicate the orientation. As shown, the inventory station 50 includes a display device 300 that displays an image of the shipping container 142 as it is being put together by the operator. In the illustrated embodiment, an image of inventory 32 is displayed on display device 300 with instructions on where to place inventory item 32 and / or how inventory item 32 should be placed on shipping container 142. It is displayed. However, although certain embodiments are shown in FIG. 5, it should be understood that management module 15 may provide instructions regarding the placement of inventory item 32 at inventory station 50 in any suitable manner. For example, the management module 15 may provide instructions using any suitable man-machine interface and / or may provide instructions to the automated equipment at inventory station 50.

0080To help comply with packaging constraints, management module 15 may utilize one or more drift spaces. For example, the management module 15 can perform tasks on various components of the system 10, such as the movable drive unit 20, to transport the container 40 into the drift space, which is required by order 60. Contains 32 inventories. The decision to send a given inventory holder 30 to the drift space can be based on the determination that the inventory item 32 carried by the inventory holder 30 is needed relatively late in the packing process. On the other hand, the inventory holder 30 containing the early-required inventory item 32 may take an available location at the inventory station 50. When the container 142 containing the order 60 is packed, the management module 15 issues an appropriate triggering event to the movable drive unit 20 in the drift space 90 to transport the appropriate container 40 to the inventory station 50. Can be done. The events that trigger them can be based, for example, on the implementation of packaging constraints. In this way, the management module 15 can utilize drifting techniques to pack the container 142 more efficiently according to the determined inventory order and various packing constraints. Further, although the container 142 is described as being packed by a human operator, the container 142 is constructed and / or by any suitable method using a robotic packing device, a conveyor system, and / or other device. It should be noted that it should be understood that it can be assembled.

0081FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an exemplary embodiment of the operation of the system 10. Method 600 begins at step 602, where management module 15 may receive orders 60 for various inventory items 32 to the receiving facility 100. In step 604, the management module 15 may determine the inventory unpacking order for the receiving facility 100. For example, management module 15 may determine layout 120 of various inventory item types and quantities within facility 100. Based on the layout of those inventory items and other appropriate factors, management module 15 may determine the appropriate inventory unpacking order for facility 100. In step 606, inventory item 32 may be adjusted according to the inventory unpacking order to fulfill order 60. For example, an order packing arrangement may determine the composition of inventory items 32 for order 60 to be packed at inventory station 50, so that those items 32 may be unpacked at facility 100 according to the inventory unpacking order.

0082In step 608, management module 15 may determine if any custom packing restrictions exist. For example, management module 15 may determine whether to modify the order packing arrangement according to the weight distribution guidelines and / or other characteristics of inventory item 32 of order 60, based on various order packing constraints. If there are order constraints, management module 15 modifies the placement in step 610 based on the order packing constraints. If there are no order constraints, method 600 continues from step 612. In step 612, management module 15 may determine the location of inventory item 32 within inventory holder 30 and / or 40. Although described as a modification to the order placement, it should be understood that the management module 15 can take into account any order packing constraints from the beginning of the order placement determination.

0083In step 614, management module 15 may then assist in transporting those inventory items 32 to inventory station 50 by any number and combination techniques described herein in this disclosure. For example, the movable drive unit 20 and / or other components of the system 10 move the inventory holder 30 and / or container 40, which houses the inventory item 32 required to complete order 60, to inventory station 50. obtain. The items may be shipped to inventory station 50 according to the order fulfillment arrangement determined by management module 15.

0084In step 616, order 60 may be packed at stock station 50 based on the stock order and any order packing constraints that result in a modified order placement. When one or more containers 142 containing all or part of order 60 are completed in step 618, those containers 142 may be shipped to the receiving facility 100. Management module 15 can help ship those orders in a suitable way. When container 142 is received in the staging area 150 of facility 100, item 32 may be unpacked according to the inventory unpacking order of facility 100.

0085FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the operation of a remote facility 100 capable of replenishing display shelves 132 with inventory items 32 from luggage 142. Method 700 begins at step 702, where the luggage 142 corresponding to the order can be picked up at the remote facility 100. The order may correspond to various shipping containers 142 of inventory item 32 ordered to replenish the display shelves 132 at the remote facility 100. Containers 142 corresponding to order 60 may be arranged according to the order packing arrangement so that the order can be unpacked according to the optimal unpacking order. For example, the container 142 may be arranged such that the display shelves 132 are unpacked in an order determined by the management module 15 that the display shelves 132 should be transported to the inventory station 152 for inventory replenishment. However, in some embodiments, the shipping container 142 that is unpacked into the storage shelves 144 may not be packed in any particular custom packing arrangement and / or is suitable for the storage shelves 144. It may be packed according to the unpacking arrangement.

0086In step 704, management module 15 selects a specific display shelf 132, such as a display shelf in a retail facility, for transport to inventory replenishment station 156, which is designated to receive inventory item 32 in shipping container 142. Can be. For example, those selected display shelves 132 may have fewer inventory items 32 located in shipping container 142 and / or storage shelves 144. Management module 15 may search for specific shipping containers 142 and / or storage shelves 144 that store additional inventory items 32 required by display shelves 132. In some embodiments, management module 15 examines a virtual map of inventory item 32 in layout 120 to show that a particular inventory holder 32 is designated to store a particular inventory item 32. Can be judged.

0087When a particular display shelf 132 is selected in step 706, management module 15 determines the order in which the selected display shelf 132, shipping container 142, and / or storage shelf 144 should be shipped to inventory station 152. obtain. For example, management module 15 coordinates the behavior of selected display shelves that require specific inventory item 32 with the behavior of selected storage shelves 144 that store specific inventory item 32, both in stock. It may be transported to replenishment station 156. As another example, management module 15 replenishes the replenishment order based on the order in which inventory items 32 are removed from container 142, the order in which they are removed from storage shelves 144, and / or the order in which they are placed in a particular display shelf 132. Can be judged. The replenishment sequence determined by management module 15 may include the specific time when container 142 and / or storage shelf 144 is transported to inventory replenishment station 156. The replenishment sequence is utilized by the replenishment station 156 when the container 142 and / or the storage shelf 144 having inventory item 32 for the particular display shelf 132 is transported to the replenishment station 156. Arrivals can be scheduled as possible. For example, then a particular container 142 and / or storage shelf 144 may be scheduled to be placed at inventory replenishment station 156 substantially at the same time as display shelf 132.

0088In step 708, management module 15 may determine if any customer restrictions can limit the ability to replenish the selected display shelves 132. For example, facility 100 may be open to the public at certain times of the day and / or experience different levels of activity at different times of the day and / or week. Management module 15 may schedule restocking activities to minimize the impact on consumer activities. For example, certain times of the day and / or week may be designated as when replenishment and / or inventory replenishment activities take place. For example, remote facility 100 may be closed to the public at night and / or on weekends.

0089If a customer foot constraint is present, the management module 15 may determine in step 710 the optimal schedule for restocking inventory item 32 based on the customer foot constraint. The management module 15 may schedule the operation of the movable drive unit 20 when the number of passengers is minimal and / or when the remote facility 100 is open to the public. In addition, the management module 15 may, in some embodiments, take into account the estimated and / or actual time expected to replenish a particular display shelf 132. Management module 15 may schedule replenishment activities within a specific time zone and / or time frame during which replenishment activities can be completed. If the replenishment activity for a particular display shelf 132 cannot be completed within that time zone and / or time frame, management module 15 will place the display shelf 132 for the next available time zone and / or time frame. Can be scheduled.

0090If there are no passenger constraints in step 708 and / or the optimal schedule is completed in step 710, management module 15 commands the movable drive unit 20 to order and / or the order determined in step 706. Alternatively, the display shelves 132 such as the display shelves in the retail facility may be transported to the inventory replenishment station 156 based on the schedule determined in step 710. For example, in a facility 100 where display shelves, such as fully automated retail facilities, are not directly available to the public, such as those mentioned above for Figure 4, there should be no customer restrictions. Additional or alternative, if the baggage is picked up during non-business hours and / or when the remote facility is closed, there should be no conditions for passengers. The management module 15 may provide the movable drive unit 20 with a route to the destination of the display shelf 132. The movable drive unit 20 can move the route for each segment, and when the management module 15 approves the reservation request for each segment from the movable drive unit 12, it moves the segment of the route. Upon arriving at the display shelves 132, the movable drive unit 20 may be docked, connected, lifted, or otherwise connected to the display shelves 132. The movable drive unit 20 can then proceed along the path in a manner similar to the inventory replenishment station 156. Management module 15 may provide similar instructions to another movable drive unit 20 to transport containers 142 and / or storage shelves 144 to inventory replenishment station 156.

0091Upon arrival of the replenishment shelves 132 in the replenishment order according to the replenishment order, the human and / or automated operator of the replenishment station 156 may transfer the appropriate inventory item 32 into each display shelf 132 in step 714. For example, in step 714, the retail shelves may be restocked with new inventory item 32 and / or replacement inventory item 32. After the display shelves 132 are replenished in step 714, the display shelves 132 may be returned in step 716 to their respective designated display locations within the remote facility 100. The location of a particular display shelf 132 may be specified based on the location determination of display shelf 132 and / or inventory item 32 in a virtual map and / or layout 120 of facility 100. Similarly, storage shelves 144 may be returned by the movable drive unit 20 to their respective storage locations at facility 100.

0092At 718, management module 15 determines if additional inventory item 32 from outside facility 100 is required to replenish additional display shelves 132 in the process of operating remote facility 100. obtain. For example, management module 15 may determine that the quantity of inventory items 32 stored on storage shelves 144 and / or display shelves 132 is less than a predetermined quantity. If additional inventory item 32 is required, management module 15 may determine, for example, to place an order to inventory system 10. As described above, the management module 15 utilizes the point-of-sale management system and / or the movable drive unit 20 to count the actual inventory item 32 on the display shelf 132. It is possible to determine if additional inventory item 32 is needed by any suitable method, including monitoring the outflow of. If no additional inventory item 32 is required, management module 15 may continue to monitor inventory levels. If additional inventory item 32 is required, management module 15 may build and / or place an order 60 for additional inventory item 32 in step 720. In step 722, management module 15 may place one or more orders 60 into inventory system 10. The inventory system 10 may then determine the optimal order placement for inventory item 32 in order 60 and build order 60 according to the optimal order placement. If inventory system 10 builds and ships order 60, method 700 may return to step 702, where order 60 can be received by remote facility 100.

0093Methods 600 and 700, respectively, shown in the flow diagrams of FIGS. 6 and 7, may be modified, added, or omitted. For example, management module 15 can assign many tasks simultaneously and / or in parallel. Thus, the management module 15 can also process many orders 60 in parallel and / or sequentially. In addition, management module 15 may be able to determine inventory order for any number and type of facility 100. Orders 60 corresponding to different facilities 100 can be processed sequentially and / or simultaneously by the management module 15 using different inventory stations 50. In addition, the steps of FIGS. 6 and 7 can be performed in parallel or in any suitable order. Moreover, the embodiments described with respect to the present disclosure are expected to be fully combinable and suitable for use in the appropriate embodiments described herein. In this way, the management module 15 may be able to determine the optimal order packing arrangement for various inventory items 32 over a large number of orders 60. Management module 15 may additionally or alternatively consider the locations within inventory holders 30 and 40 of those inventory items 32 when determining order placement.

0094FIG. 8 shows an exemplary computer system 1300 that can be used for one or more parts of the systems and methods disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, one or more computer systems 1300 perform one or more steps of one or more of the methods described or illustrated herein. In certain embodiments, one or more computer systems 1300 are described herein, such as management modules 15 and / or movable drive units 20, for example, any suitable component of system 10. Alternatively, it provides the functions shown. In certain embodiments, the software running on one or more computer systems 1300 is one or more of the one or more methods described or illustrated herein. Performing steps or providing functions described or illustrated herein. Certain embodiments include one or more parts of one or more computer systems 1300.

0095The present disclosure contemplates any suitable number of computer systems 1300. The present disclosure contemplates a computer system 1300 that takes any suitable physical form. As an example, but not for limitation, the Computer System 1300 is an embedded computer system, system on chip (SOC), single board computer system (SBC) (eg, computer on module (COM) or system on module (SOM)). Such as), desktop computer systems, laptop or notebook computer systems, interactive kiosks, mainframes, computer system meshes, mobile phones, mobile information terminals (PDAs), servers, tablet computer systems, or two or two of these. It can be a combination of three or more. As required, the computer system 1300 includes one or more computer systems 1300 and is single or distributed, across multiple locations, across multiple machines, across multiple data centers, Alternatively, it can be in the cloud, which can include one or more cloud components in one or more networks. If desired, one or more computer systems 1300 can be of one or more of the methods described or illustrated herein without substantial spatial or temporal limitations. You can perform one or more steps of. As an example, but not for limitation, one or more computer systems 1300, in real time or in bulk, is one of one or more of the methods described or illustrated herein. Or you can perform more than one step. One or more computer systems 1300, optionally, at different times or at different locations, one or more of one or more of the methods described or illustrated herein. You can perform the steps of.

0096In certain embodiments, computer system 1300 includes processor 1302, memory 1304, storage 1306, input / output (I / O) interface 1308, communication interface 1310, and bus 1312. Although the present disclosure describes and illustrates a particular computer system having a particular number of particular components in a particular arrangement, the present disclosure includes any suitable number of any suitable component. Any suitable computer system with a suitable arrangement is intended.

0097In certain embodiments, processor 1302 includes hardware for executing instructions, such as those that make up a computer program. As an example, but to execute instructions, but not to limit them, processor 1302 reads (or fetches) instructions from internal registers, internal caches, memory 1304, or storage 1306, decodes them, executes them, and executes them. One or more results can then be written to an internal register, internal cache, memory 1304, or storage 1306. In certain embodiments, processor 1302 includes one or more internal caches for data, instructions, or addresses. Although the present disclosure describes and illustrates a particular processor, the present disclosure contemplates any suitable processor.

0098In certain embodiments, memory 1304 includes instructions for execution by processor 1302 or main memory for storing data for operation by processor 1302. In certain embodiments, memory 1304 can be memory contained in any of the above system 10 components, such as management module 15 and / or movable drive unit 20. As an example, but not for limitation, computer system 1300 may load instructions from storage 1306 or another source (eg, another computer system 1300) into memory 1304. Processor 1302 may then load the instruction from memory 1304 into an internal register or internal cache. To execute an instruction, processor 1302 may read the instruction from an internal register or internal cache and decode them. During or after the execution of an instruction, processor 1302 may write one or more results (which can be intermediate or final results) to internal registers or internal caches. Processor 1302 may then write one or more of those results to memory 1304. In certain embodiments, processor 1302 executes only instructions that are in one or more internal registers or caches, or in memory 1304 (rather than storage 1306 or elsewhere), and one or more. Manipulate only data in two or more internal registers or caches, or in memory 1304 (rather than storage 1306 or elsewhere). One or more memory buses, each of which may contain an address bus and a data bus, may connect processor 1302 to memory 1304. Bus 1312 may include one or more memory buses, as described below. In certain embodiments, one or more memory management units (MMUs) are placed between processor 1302 and memory 1304, by processor 1302. Helps access the requested memory 1304. Although the present disclosure describes and illustrates a particular memory, the present disclosure contemplates any suitable memory.

0099In certain embodiments, storage 1306 includes mass storage for data or instructions. In certain embodiments, storage 1306 may be included in any suitable component of system 10, including management module 15 and / or movable drive unit 20. Storage 1306 may include removable or non-removable (ie, fixed) media, as appropriate. Storage 1306 can be internal or external to computer system 1300, if desired. In certain embodiments, the storage 1306 is a non-volatile solid-state memory. If desired, storage 1306 may include one or more storage 1006s. Although the present disclosure describes and illustrates specific storage, the present disclosure contemplates any suitable storage.

0100In certain embodiments, the I / O interface 1308 includes hardware, software, or both, and one or two for communication between the computer system 1300 and one or more I / O devices. The above interface is provided. The computer system 1300 may include one or more of the I / O devices, if desired. One or more of the I / O devices may allow communication between a person and the computer system 1300. As an example, but not for limitation, I / O devices include keyboards, keypads, microphones, monitors, mice, printers, scanners, speakers, still image cameras, stylus, tablets, touch screens, trackballs, videos. It may include a camera, another suitable I / O device, or a combination of two or three or more of these. The I / O device may include one or more sensors. The present disclosure contemplates any suitable I / O devices and any suitable I / O interface 1308 for them. If desired, the I / O interface 1308 may include one or more devices or software drivers that allow the processor 1302 to drive one or more I / O devices. The I / O interface 1308 may include one or more I / O interfaces 1308, as appropriate. Although this disclosure describes and illustrates a particular I / O interface, this disclosure contemplates any suitable I / O interface.

0101In certain embodiments, the communication interface 1310 includes hardware, software, or both, between the computer system 1300 and one or more other computer systems 1300 or one or more networks. Provides one or more interfaces for communication (eg, packet-based communication). By way of example, but not exclusively, the communication interface 1310 is a network interface controller (NIC) or network adapter for communicating with Ethernet (registered trademark) or other wired-based networks, or wireless such as a Wi-Fi network. It may include a wireless NIC (WNIC) or wireless adapter to communicate with the network. The present disclosure contemplates any suitable network and any suitable communication interface 1310 for it. Although the present disclosure describes and illustrates a particular communication interface, the present disclosure contemplates any suitable communication interface.

0102In certain embodiments, bus 1312 includes hardware, software, or both, and connects the components of computer system 1300 to each other. Although the present disclosure describes and illustrates a particular bus, the present disclosure contemplates any suitable bus or interconnect.

0103As used herein, reference to computer-readable storage media includes one or more non-temporary tangible computer-readable storage media having a structure. As an example, but not for limitation, computer-readable storage media can optionally be semiconductor-based or other integrated circuits (ICs) (eg, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) or application-specific ICs (ASICs)). , Hard disk, HDD, hybrid hard drive (HHD), optical disk, optical disk drive (ODD), optical magnetic disk, optical magnetic disk drive, floppy (registered trademark) disk, floppy (registered trademark) disk drive (FDD), magnetic tape, It may include a holographic storage medium, a solid state drive (SSD), a RAM drive, a secure digital card, a secure digital drive, or another suitable computer-readable storage medium, or a combination of two or more of these. The computer-readable non-temporary storage medium can be volatile, non-volatile, or a combination of volatile and non-volatile, as required.

0104The present disclosure contemplates one or more computer-readable storage media that implement any suitable storage. In certain embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium is optionally one or more parts of processor 1302 (eg, one or more internal registers or caches), one or more of memory 1304. Implement two or more parts, one or more parts of storage 1306, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium may implement RAM or ROM. In certain embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium may implement volatile or persistent memory. In certain embodiments, one or more computer-readable storage media record the software. As used herein, reference to software refers to one or more applications, bytecodes, one or more computer programs, one or more executable files, 1 It can contain one or more instructions, logic, machine code, one or more scripts, or source code, and vice versa. In certain embodiments, the software includes one or more application programming interfaces (APIs). The present disclosure contemplates any suitable software written or otherwise expressed in any suitable program language or combination of program languages. In certain embodiments, the software is represented as source code or object code.

0105In the present specification, "or" is not exclusive but inclusive unless otherwise explicitly stated or otherwise indicated in the context. Accordingly, in the present specification, "A or B" means "A, B, or both" unless expressly stated otherwise or otherwise in the context. Moreover, unless otherwise explicitly stated or otherwise indicated in context, "and" are both combined and individual. Accordingly, in the present specification, "A and B" means "both A and B or individually" unless expressly stated otherwise or otherwise in the context.

0106The present disclosure includes all modifications, substitutions, modifications, substitutions, and modifications to the exemplary embodiments of the specification that will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. Similarly, as needed, the appended claims include all modifications, replacements, modifications, substitutions, and amendments to the exemplary embodiments of the specification that can be grasped by those skilled in the art. In addition, it is adapted to perform a particular function, is tuned to perform, is feasible, is configured to perform, is made feasible, is operational to perform, Or the claims in the claims attached to a device or system or a component of a device or system that acts to perform, whether or not it or its particular function is activated, activated or deactivated. As long as the device, system, or component is so adapted, tuned, possible, configured, enabled, operational, or working, it includes the device, system, or component.

0107Any of the steps, operations, or processes described herein may be performed or implemented by one or more hardware or software modules, alone or in combination with other devices. In one embodiment, a software module is implemented with a computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium containing computer program code executed by a computer processor to perform any or all of the steps, operations, or processes described. Will be done.

0108Embodiments of the present invention also relate to devices for performing the operations of the present specification. The device may be specifically constructed for the requested purpose, and / or it may include a general purpose computing device that is selectively started or reconfigured by a computer program stored in the computer. Such computer programs may be stored on tangible computer-readable storage media or any type of medium suitable for storing electronic instructions and connected to the computer system bus. Moreover, any computing system referred to herein can be an architecture that may include a single processor or use a multi-processor design to increase computing power.

0109Having described specific embodiments of the inventory system 10, it should be understood that the teachings of the present disclosure can be applied to any type and number of inventory systems. For example, the inventory system 10 may represent a merchandise return facility. In such an embodiment, the inventory item may represent a product returned by the customer. Units of inventory items may be stored in inventory holder 30 when received at the facility. At the appropriate time, a large number of units may be removed from a particular inventory holder 30 and packed for shipment for return to a warehouse or other facility.

0110As yet another example, inventory system 10 may represent a manufacturing facility and inventory item 32 represents an individual component of a manufacturing kit included in an assembled product such as an electronic component for a custom computer system. In such an embodiment, the inventory system 10 may search for specific components identified by specifications relating to an order for a product to allow a custom version of the product to be assembled. Although many exemplary embodiments have been described, the inventory system 10 may generally represent any suitable facility or system for storing and processing inventory items. Similarly, inventory item 32 may represent any type of object suitable for goods receipt, delivery, and / or processing in a particular inventory system 10.

0111In addition, management module 15 represents a single component, multiple components located in a central location within inventory system 10, and / or multiple components distributed throughout inventory system 10. obtain. For example, the management module 15 can communicate information between the movable drive units 20 and adjust the behavior of the movable drive units 20 when transporting the inventory holder 30 to one or more. It can represent a component of the movable drive unit 20. In general, the management module 15 may include any suitable combination of hardware and / or software suitable for providing the described functionality, as well as a movable drive unit 20, inventory station 50, or inventory system 10. It may further include components that are placed in other elements of.

0112Further, as described above, the management module 15 may include components of individual movable drive units 20. Therefore, for the purposes of this description, the communication between the management module 15 and the particular mobile drive unit 20 may represent the communication between the components of the particular mobile drive unit 20. In general, the movable drive unit 20 can be powered, controlled, and propelled in any suitable manner based on the configuration and characteristics of the inventory system 10.

0113Further, the present disclosure describes specific examples of container holders 40, but any suitable number and type of container holders 40 may be used. For example, the container holder 40 can be substantially similar or identical to the inventory holder 30. For example, the inventory system 10 may include a general purpose holder that can be used as both an inventory holder 30 and a container holder 40. The inventory system 10 may include several general purpose holders, which are inventory 30 or container holders, depending on whether inventory item 32 is stored in the relevant holder at a particular time or container 42 is stored. Can be dynamically specified as 40. Further, in certain embodiments, the holder may be configured to store both inventory item 32 and container 42 at the same time, and the particular holder represents both inventory holder 30 and container holder 40 at a particular time point. obtain.

0114It should also be noted that the various components of inventory system 10 complete various tasks that affect inventory item 32 and / or the components of inventory system 10 itself. Management module 15 manages the behavior of components and the use of various system resources to help perform these tasks. Although the above description focuses on various embodiments of inventory system 10 capable of performing a particular operation, certain embodiments of inventory system 10 are for storage, processing, transportation, or retrieval of inventory item 32. It can be configured to perform any appropriate action involved.

0115Although the present invention has been described in some embodiments, innumerable changes, modifications, substitutions, conversions, and modifications can be suggested to those skilled in the art, and the present invention is such modifications, modifications, substitutions, conversions, and modifications. Is intended to be included as included in the appended claims. Moreover, although the present disclosure has been described for various embodiments, it is fully expected that the teachings of the present disclosure may be combined into a single embodiment as needed.

0116Item:

0117Item 1 It's a system A storage shelf and a storage shelf in a retail facility in which the storage shelves can operate to store multiple replenishment inventory items. A display shelf and a display shelf in the retail facility, wherein the display shelf can operate to receive one or more replenishment stock items from the storage shelf. It s a management module, Determined to replenish the display shelves with inventory items stored by storage shelves, and also Coordinate the operation of multiple movable drive units to replenish the display shelves with the inventory items at the inventory replenishment station. With the management module, which can work like A first movable drive unit capable of receiving a first command from the management module and operating to transport the display shelf to the inventory replenishment station. A second movable drive unit capable of receiving a second command from the management module and operating to transport the storage ledge to the inventory replenishment station. With The display shelf receives the inventory item at the inventory replenishment station. system.

0118Item 2 The management module Calculate the optimal schedule for transporting the plurality of display shelves to the inventory replenishment station. The first mobile drive unit was instructed to transport the display shelves to the inventory replenishment station when scheduled according to the optimal schedule. Instructing the second mobile drive unit to transport the storage shelves to the inventory replenishment station at the scheduled time. It can work even more like The optimal schedule is at least partially based on the determination of low consumer activity at the retail facility. The system described in Section 1.

0119Item 3 The first movable drive unit While transporting the display shelves, travel along the route to the inventory replenishment station and While on the path, it detects the presence of obstacles in the vicinity of the first movable drive unit. In response to the detection of the presence of the obstacle, it is determined whether the obstacle in the path is human or not. If the obstacle is a human, stop moving until the human is no longer near the movable drive unit. The system according to paragraph 1, which is more operable.

0120Item 4 The first movable drive unit places the display shelf at a designated display location within the retail facility after one or more inventory items have been received at the inventory replenishment station in the display shelf. Can be further operated to transport to The second movable drive unit can further operate to transport the storage shelves to a designated storage location within the retail facility. The system described in Section 1.

0121Item 5 The way The management module detects that the retail shelves need to be replenished with inventory items and The management module determines that the inventory item is stored in the inventory holder of the retail facility. Instructing the first movable drive unit to transport the display shelves to the inventory station of the retail facility by the management module. Instructing the second movable drive unit to transport the inventory holder to the inventory station in the retail facility by the management module. To instruct the first mobile drive unit to transport the inventory item to a designated location within the retail facility after the inventory item has been received by the inventory station at the inventory station. Including methods.

0122Item 6 Clause 5 further comprises adjusting the transport of the display shelves and the inventory holders so that the inventory holders are placed at the inventory station at the same time that the display shelves are placed at the inventory station. The method described.

0123Item 7 Monitoring the inventory level of multiple display shelves with a point-of-sale system Based on said inventory level, at least in part, by said management module and be determined Zui, to order additional stock, To place an order for the additional inventory item in the distribution warehouse The method according to paragraph 5, further comprising.

0124Item 8 Determining that the quantity of inventory items on multiple storage shelves is less than the default quantity Determining to order an additional quantity of the stock item from the distribution warehouse, at least in part, based on the quantity of the stock item. The method according to paragraph 5, further comprising.

0125Item 9 The first movable drive unit detects the presence of an obstacle in the vicinity of the first movable drive unit while on the path to the inventory station. To avoid a collision with the obstacle in response to the detection of the presence of the obstacle. The method according to paragraph 5, further comprising.

0126Item 10 Further including determining the replenishment order for multiple display shelves in the retail facility. The first movable drive unit is instructed to transport the display shelves to the inventory station, at least in part, based on the replenishment order. The method described in Section 5.

0127Item 11 The inventory holder comprises a shipping container and the method Determining the order unpacking order of the shipping container, at least in part, based on the placement of inventory items in the shipping container. To instruct multiple mobile drive units to transport multiple display shelves to the inventory station, at least in part, based on the order unpacking order. The method according to paragraph 5, further comprising.

0128Item 12 The retail facility comprises a plurality of display shelves arranged in an aisle, and the method determines the order in which the display shelves are transported to the inventory station, at least in part, based on the arrangement of the display shelves. The method of paragraph 5, further comprising doing so.

0129Clause 13 Receiving a request from a customer of the retail facility for inventory items stored in one or more of the plurality of inventory holders. To instruct one or more mobile drive units to transport the one or more inventory holders that store the requested inventory items to a point-of-sale station. The method according to paragraph 5, further comprising.

0130Clause 14 Commanding a third movable drive unit to move the path, Commanding the third movable drive unit to detect the quantity of inventory items in the inventory holder while on the path. Receiving information indicating the amount by the management module If the quantity is less than the default threshold, place an order for additional inventory items The method according to paragraph 5, further comprising.

0131Clause 15 The third movable drive unit detects inventory items in the inventory holder and Receiving information identifying the inventory item by the management module Comparing the identified inventory item with a virtual map of inventory at the remote facility, Determining whether the inventory holder for the identified inventory item is the correct inventory holder for the inventory item, at least in part, based on the comparison. The method according to paragraph 5, further comprising.

0132Item 16 Picking up additional inventory items at the receiving station and Unpacking the luggage in one or more storage shelves at the receiving station The method according to paragraph 5, further comprising.

0133Clause 17 Receiving an order from the retail facility, wherein the order comprises a plurality of inventory items. The management module determines the order packing arrangement for the plurality of inventory items, at least in part, based on the unpacking order. To build the luggage in the distribution warehouse according to the order packing arrangement The method according to paragraph 5, further comprising.

0134Clause 18 It s a device, An interface for obtaining an inventory replenishment order for a retail facility, wherein the inventory replenishment order includes an order in which a plurality of display shelves receive inventory items at an inventory station. Communicatably connected to the interface and capable of instructing one or more mobile drive units in the retail facility to transport the plurality of display shelves to the inventory station. With a processor that causes the plurality of display shelves to receive inventory items according to the inventory replenishment order. A device that comprises.

0135Clause 19 The processor Search for storage shelves to store inventory items required by a particular display shelf, Coordinating the operation of the storage shelves and the particular display shelves to the inventory station by issuing commands to the one or more movable drive units. The device according to paragraph 18, which is further operable.

0136Item 20 The processor After receiving one or more inventory items at the inventory station, the one or more movable to transport the plurality of display shelves to a plurality of designated locations within the retail facility. The device according to paragraph 18, which is further operable to instruct the drive unit of the formula.

0137Clause 21 The processor is at least partially based on one or more of a first arrangement of inventory items in a shipping container and a second arrangement of the plurality of display shelves in the retail facility. The device according to paragraph 18, which is further operational to determine the restocking order.

0138Clause 22 The processor Determine the particular inventory item that should first be removed from the shipping container at the retail facility. Select the shelves designated to store the particular inventory item and Command the movable drive unit to move to the selected shelves and dock with the selected shelves. The movable drive unit is instructed to transport the selected display rack to the inventory station and receive the particular inventory item. The device according to paragraph 18, which is further operable.

0139Clause 23 The inventory replenishment order is at least partial to the layout of inventory items on one or more display shelves in the retail facility and the order in which the one or more display shelves are transported to the inventory station. The device according to paragraph 18.

0140Clause 24 23, wherein the order in which the one or more display shelves are transported to the inventory station is calculated to minimize the impact on consumer activity within the retail facility. Equipment.

0141Clause 25 The processor Determine the specific inventory items that need to be removed from the retail facility Instructing one or more mobile drive units to transport one or more display shelves for storing the particular inventory item to the inventory station. It can work even more like The particular inventory item is removed from the display shelf at the inventory station. The device according to paragraph 18.

0142Clause 26 18. The device of paragraph 18, wherein the processor is further capable of instructing one or more movable drive units to rearrange a plurality of display shelves in the retail facility.

0143Clause 27 The retail facility is operational to receive replacement shelves from the distribution center and the processor. Determine that the quantity of inventory items on a particular shelf has fallen below a predetermined threshold, The exchange display shelf is selected to replace the particular display shelf, and the exchange display shelf has an additional quantity of inventory items. Command one or more mobile drive units to replace the particular display shelf with the replacement display shelf. The device according to paragraph 18, which is further operable.

0144Clause 28 The device of paragraph 18, wherein the inventory item is stored in a warehouse portion of the retail facility.