Title:
REPLENISHING A RETAIL FACILITY
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2014/058653
Kind Code:
A3
Abstract:
A system includes storage shelves and display shelves at a retail facility. The system also includes a management module operable to determine to replenish a display shelf with an inventory item stored by a storage shelf. The management module is also operable to coordinate movement of mobile drive units to replenish the display shelf with the inventory item at an inventory restocking station. The system also includes a first mobile drive unit and a second mobile drive unit. The first mobile drive unit is operable to receive first instructions from the management module to transport the display shelf to the inventory restocking station. The second mobile drive unit is operable to receive second instructions from the management module to transport the storage shelf to the inventory restocking station. At the inventory restocking station, the display shelf receives the inventory item.
Inventors:
WURMAN PETER R (US)
MOUNTZ MICHAEL C (US)
MOUNTZ MICHAEL C (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US2013/062786
Publication Date:
October 16, 2014
Filing Date:
October 01, 2013
Export Citation:
Assignee:
AMAZON TECH INC (US)
International Classes:
G06F17/00
Foreign References:
| US5273392A | 1993-12-28 | |||
| US4678390A | 1987-07-07 | |||
| US20100061833A1 | 2010-03-11 | |||
| US5156513A | 1992-10-20 | |||
| US20070071585A1 | 2007-03-29 | |||
| US5379905A | 1995-01-10 |
Other References:
WURMAN ET AL.: "Coordinating Hundreds of Cooperative, Autonomous Vehicles in Warehouses", AL MAGAZINE SPRING, vol. 29, no. 1, 2008, pages 9 - 20, XP055251817, Retrieved from the Internet [retrieved on 20130106]
KATOR.: "A DC Like No Other.", MODERN MATERIALS HANDLING 62.7, 1 July 2007 (2007-07-01), pages PG. 1 - PG. 2, XP055398561, Retrieved from the Internet [retrieved on 20130113]
NAPOLITANO.: "Mobility has arrived: mobile and wireless technology is making a measurable impact on today's warehouse &DC operations. Savvy users are going multi-modal, pulling multiple technologies and software capabilities together to increase productivity, cut pick-rate errors, and increase inventory accuracy.", LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT, vol. 46, no. 3, February 2012 (2012-02-01), XP055251840, Retrieved from the Internet
KATOR.: "A DC Like No Other.", MODERN MATERIALS HANDLING 62.7, 1 July 2007 (2007-07-01), pages PG. 1 - PG. 2, XP055398561, Retrieved from the Internet
NAPOLITANO.: "Mobility has arrived: mobile and wireless technology is making a measurable impact on today's warehouse &DC operations. Savvy users are going multi-modal, pulling multiple technologies and software capabilities together to increase productivity, cut pick-rate errors, and increase inventory accuracy.", LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT, vol. 46, no. 3, February 2012 (2012-02-01), XP055251840, Retrieved from the Internet
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
BHAVSAR, Samir, A. (LLP2001 Ross Avenue, Suite 60, Dallas TX, US)
Download PDF: