System-directed single line pick batching

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12234092-B2
Application number	US-202117390681-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 30, 2021
Priority date	Jul 30, 2020
Publication date	Feb 25, 2025
Grant date	Feb 25, 2025

Abstract

A system-directed single line pick batching is described. In an example implementation, the system may receive data describing a set of orders including SKU identifiers associated with items in the orders, identify an eligible cart, and assign a location to a task queue of the cart based on the location being associated with a particular SKU identifier. In some instances, the location or SKU identifier may be determined based on an order with a certain quantity of different SKU identifiers. In some instances, the system may navigate the cart to the location and instruct the item to be picked from the location. In response to completion of the pick of the item, the system may navigate the cart to an end point.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
receiving, by one or more processors, data describing a set of orders, the set of orders including one or more items having one or more stock keeping unit (SKU) identifiers associated with the one or more items;
sorting, by the one or more processors, the set of orders into a subset of orders based on each order of the subset of orders consisting of a single variety of SKU identifier;
identifying, by the one or more processors, a first cart for batch picking;
assigning, by the one or more processors, a first location in a pick-to-cart area to a task queue of the first cart based on a first item having a first SKU identifier being located at the first location and a first order of the subset of orders including the first SKU identifier;
navigating, by the one or more processors, the first cart to the first location in the pick-to-cart area;
instructing, by the one or more processors, a picker to pick the first item having the first SKU identifier at the first location;
receiving, by the one or more processors, one or more confirmation inputs indicating completion of a pick of the first item having the first SKU identifier to the first cart; and
navigating, by the one or more processors, the first cart to an end point.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving, by the one or more processors, after dispatching the first cart, order data representing a second order, the second order including a second SKU identifier;
determining, by the one or more processors, a second location at which a second item having the second SKU identifier is located;
determining, by the one or more processors, that the second location is located after the first location on a path of the first cart; and
in response to the second location being located after the first location on the path of the first cart, assigning the second location to the task queue of the first cart and transmitting a second pick instruction to one or more client devices associated with the picker, the second pick instruction indicating a second quantity of the second item having the second SKU identifier.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the set of orders includes:
receiving, by the one or more processors, first order data representing an initial set of orders, the first order data indicating SKU identifiers included in the initial set of orders; and
sorting, by the one or more processors, the initial set of orders into the set of orders based on the SKU identifier in each order.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving, by the one or more processors, scan data from one or more client devices, the first cart being identified using the scan data;
determining, by the one or more processors, a current location of the first cart in a fulfillment center; and
dispatching, by the one or more processors, the first cart from the current location.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein assigning the first location to the task queue of the first cart includes:
determining, by the one or more processors, the first location based on a location at which the first item having the first SKU identifier is stored in the pick-to-cart area.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein navigating the first cart to the first location includes:
instructing, by the one or more processors, an automated guided vehicle to move the first cart, the automated guided vehicle having a drive unit adapted to propel the automated guided vehicle, a guidance system adapted to locate the automated guided vehicle in the pick-to-cart area, and a controller adapted to receive instructions and transport the first cart using the drive unit and the guidance system based on the instructions, the first cart being adapted to hold a plurality of items; and
providing, by the automated guided vehicle, motive force to the first cart to propel the first cart to the first location.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the one or more confirmation inputs includes:
receiving, by the one or more processors, item scan data from one or more client devices, the item scan data identifying the first SKU identifier of the first item; and
receiving, by the one or more processors, cart scan data identifying the first cart from the one or more client devices.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein instructing the picker to pick the first item having the first SKU identifier includes:
instructing, by the one or more processors, the picker to pick a pick quantity of the first item, and
determining, by the one or more processors, the pick quantity based on orders assigned to the first cart.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 8 , wherein:
the computer-implemented method includes:
receiving, by the one or more processors, a first user input requesting to split the pick quantity of the first item of the first item into multiple picks; and
receiving, by the one or more processors, a second user input indicating a second quantity of the first item having the first SKU identifier for at least one of the multiple picks; and

receiving the one or more confirmation inputs includes receiving a confirmation input after each of the multiple picks.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 8 , wherein:
determining a first quantity of the first item having the first SKU identifier in the first order;
determining a second order of the set of orders that includes the first SKU identifier;
determining a second quantity of the first item having the first SKU identifier in the second order; and
determining the pick quantity of the first item having the first SKU identifier by summing the first quantity and the second quantity.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving, by the one or more processors, an input indicating that the first cart is full and, in response, transporting, by an automated guided vehicle, the first cart to a finalization station, the end point being at the finalization station.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining, by the one or more processors, that the first cart is at a finalization station, the end point being at the finalization station;
receiving, by the one or more processors, item scan data, the item scan data identifying the first SKU identifier of the first item; and
determining, by the one or more processors, the first order including the first SKU identifier based on the item scan data, the first cart having items with the first SKU identifier for multiple orders.

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 12 , further comprising:
in response to determining the first order based on the item scan data, printing, by the one or more processors, a carton shipping label for a carton into which the first item for the first order is placed.

14. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:
identifying, by the one or more processors, a second cart for batch picking; and
assigning, by the one or more processors, a second location in the pick-to-cart area to a second task queue of the second cart based on the second cart being located nearer to the second location in the pick-to-cart area than the first cart.

15. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:
assigning, by the one or more processors, a second location in the pick-to-cart area to the task queue of the first cart; and
in response to two

Assignees

• Staples Inc

Inventors

• Nilsen Stephen
• Douglas Matthew Robert
• Cox Gregory Patrick
• Amador Paolo Gerli
• Jarvis Daniel
• Kalra Amit

Classifications

• G05D1/646

  Following a predefined trajectory, e.g. a line marked on the floor or a flight path · CPC title

• G05D1/227

  Handing over between remote control and on-board control; Handing over between remote control arrangements · CPC title

• G06Q10/08 Primary

  Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management · CPC title

• G06K7/10445

  the record carriers being fixed to further objects, e.g. RFIDs fixed to packages, luggage, mail-pieces or work-pieces transported on a conveyor belt · CPC title

• G06K2007/10504

  Data fields affixed to objects or articles · CPC title