System for responding to fulfillment orders

摘要

A system, method, and software are for moving inventory items to an unloading station in response to a fulfillment order. An input device is used to enter identification information about the inventory items. At a loading station, the inventory items are received and loaded into holders. The holders are then moved to storage area. A controller is configured for creating and storing a first association between the entered identification information and each of the holders in which each of the inventory items is placed. A selector and transporter are responsive to the fulfillment order and the first association, and are configured to select a holder which holds the inventory items corresponding to the fulfillment order, and configured to transport the holder from the storage area to the unloading station.

主权项

1. A fulfillment system, comprising:
an input device for entering identification information about a plurality of inventory items; a plurality of holders, each dimensioned for receipt and holding of one of the inventory items; at least one loading station configured for placing each of the inventory items into one of the holders; a controller configured for creating and storing a first association between each of the entered identification information and each of the holders in which each of the inventory items is placed, wherein the first association uniquely associates each of the entered identification information with a unique identifier of each holder; a selector and transporter, responsive to a fulfillment order and the first association, configured to select at least one of the holders holding the inventory items which correspond to the fulfillment order, and transport the at least one of the holders to at least one unloading station; and a machine readable identifying means comprising holder information which, in combination with the entered identification information on the inventory item, enables selection of the inventory item.