Method and system for order fulfillment in a distribution center

US7532947B2 · kind B2 · utility

Inventors

• William Waddington · Foster City, US
• Patricia C. Grewell · San Mateo, US
• Peter Ham · Palo Alto, US
• Boris Klots · Belmont, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 18, 2006
• Grant date: May 12, 2009
• Expiry date: Feb 18, 2026

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04L67/1097
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

Order allocation techniques that reduce the number of stops that a container makes in the process of fulfilling a customer order is disclosed. In one embodiment, this is accomplished by first identifying a pod that stocks the largest number of different items in a customer order. Then, a second pod is identified that stocks the largest number of remaining items in the customer order. Ultimately, all items in the customer order are assigned a pod. The collection of pods defines a container path through a distribution center. In one embodiment, the techniques include retrieving an item identified. with the retrieval being dependent on an expiration time associated with the item. In another embodiment. the techniques include using information from a handheld computing device via a wireless interface regarding movement of items in the distribution center.