Modular hangers for product storage and retrieval system

摘要

A system for locating goods stored in a storage area includes a computer, radio frequency transceivers and modular hangers. Ordered goods are placed in storage units that each have addresses at a central filling center. The filled storage units are shipped to local storage areas where they are coupled to hook units to form modular hangers and stored on rails. The identifications of the goods and the electronic addresses for corresponding hangers are stored on a local computer database. When a user wants to pick up goods stored in the containers, the user inputs the identification or order information for the goods and the computer will cause the radio frequency transmitter to emit a data packet that includes a search address and illumination data. The hangers compare the search address to the electronic address. If there is a match, the hanger is illuminated so the ordered goods can be found.

主权项

1. A product storage apparatus, comprising:
a plurality of modular hangers, each modular hanger having a microprocessor; a hanger transceiver; an indicator light; a hook unit having a hook support, a power receiver, a first coupling and a first electrical connector; and a storage unit having a storage unit ID, a container for storing goods, a second coupling and a second electrical connector; a storage structure including a rail having a first conductor and a second conductor extending along the length of the rail, and a power supply coupled to the first conductor and the second conductor; a local computer having a user interface configured for a user to enter a request for goods; a local database configured to store a hanger address and a list of associated goods for each of the plurality of modular hangers; a computer transceiver coupled to the local database and the local computer, the computer transceiver responsive to the local computer for transmitting radio frequency packets that include the hanger addresses associated with the goods requested by the user; wherein the storage unit is removably coupled to the hook unit by having the first coupling removably connected to the second coupling and the first electrical connector releasably coupled to the second electrical connector; wherein the storage unit ID for a first storage unit is associated with a first modular hanger when the first storage unit is coupled to a first hook unit; and wherein a first hanger transceiver of the first modular hanger transmits the storage unit ID and a hanger address associated with the first modular hanger to the computer transceiver when the first modular hanger is coupled to the rail.