Modular hangers for product storage and retrieval system
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.
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.
2. The product storage apparatus of claim 1 wherein the microprocessor, hanger transceiver and indicator light are within the hook unit, the first electrical connector is coupled to the microprocessor and the second electrical connector is coupled to the memory.
3. The product storage apparatus of claim 1 wherein the microprocessor, hanger transceiver and indicator light are within the storage unit, the first electrical connector is coupled to the power receiver and the second electrical connector is coupled to the microprocessor.
4. The product storage apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the storage unit is removably coupled to the hook unit by an elongated structure and the hook unit surrounds most of the elongated structure.
5. The product storage apparatus of claim 4 , wherein an axis of the first electrical connector is a jack, the second electrical connector is a plug on the elongated structure.
6. The product storage apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the hook unit is removably coupled to the storage unit by an elongated structure and the storage unit surrounds most of the elongated structure.
7. The product storage apparatus of claim 6 , wherein an axis of the second electrical connector is a jack within the groove, the first electrical connector is a plug on the elongated structure.
8. The product storage apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the elongated structure has a rectangular cross section.
9. The product storage apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the storage unit includes a locking mechanism which prevents the first coupling from being accidentally removed from the second coupling.
10. A modular hanger for storing and locating goods, comprising:
a microprocessor;
a hanger transceiver;
a hook unit having a power receiver, a first coupling and a first electrical connector; and
a storage unit having a container for storing goods, an electronic memory having stored therein a storage unit ID corresponding to the storage unit, a second coupling and a second electrical connector;
wherein a first storage unit is removably coupled to a first hook unit thereby forming a first modular hanger 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 the first storage unit is associated with the first modular hanger when the first storage unit is coupled to the 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 a local computer when the first modular hanger is coupled to a power and support rail through the power receiver of the first hook unit.
11. The product storage apparatus of claim 10 wherein the microprocessor and the hanger transceiver are within the hook unit, the first electrical connector is coupled to the microprocessor and the second electrical connector is coupled to the memory.
12. The product storage apparatus of claim 10 wherein the microprocessor and the hanger transceiver are within the storage unit, the first electrical connector is coupled to the power receiver and the second electrical connector is coupled to the microprocessor.
13. A system for storing and locating goods, comprising:
at least one storage unit having a container for storing goods and an electronic memory having a storage unit ID stored therein that corresponds to the storage unit;
at least one hook unit removably coupled to the storage unit and having an electrical power contact, a microprocessor, and a transceiver; and
a storage structure mounted in a distribution facility and having a plurality of rails, each of the rails configured to provide power and support to the hook unit and the storage unit when the hook unit and storage unit are coupled together and to the rail,
wherein the microprocessor transmits the storage unit ID stored in the memory to a local computer in the distribution facility via the transceiver when the hook unit and storage unit are coupled together and to the rail.