IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,650,439
Granted Patent B2
US 10,650,439 · App. 16/443,053 · Granted May 12, 2020

Techniques for filling orders

Inventor: Thomas Francis (Dubuque, IA)
G06Q30/0635G06Q10/087G06Q10/0875G06Q30/0639H04W4/33
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,650,439
App. No.
16/443,053
Granted
May 12, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system includes N location indicators and a mobile scanning device. The N location indicators are configured to be arranged throughout a store that includes a plurality of stocked items for picking according to one or more electronic customer orders. Each of the N location indicators is configured to transmit a different location signal. The mobile scanning device includes a display. The mobile scanning device is configured to wirelessly receive an electronic customer order comprising a plurality of ordered items indicating which of the stocked items are to be picked, detect at least one of the N location signals, and arrange at least some of the plurality of ordered items on the display based on which of the at least one of the N location signals is detected.

Claims (43)

1. A system comprising:

N location indicators arranged throughout a store that includes a plurality of stocked items for picking according to one or more electronic customer orders, wherein the store includes a plurality of racks that include the plurality of stocked items, wherein the racks define aisles within the store, wherein the N location indicators are associated with different aisles of the store, and wherein each of the N location indicators is configured to transmit a different location signal;

a central computing system configured to wirelessly transmit the electronic customer orders; and

a mobile scanning device comprising a display, the mobile scanning device configured to:

wirelessly receive an electronic customer order from the central computing system, the received electronic customer order comprising a plurality of ordered items indicating which of the stocked items are to be picked;

detect at least one of the N location signals;

arrange at least some of the plurality of ordered items on the display based on which of the at least one of the N location signals is detected;

scan a first item identification code included with a first stocked item; and

wirelessly transmit data to the central computing system indicating that the first item identification code has been scanned.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the N location indicators are attached to the racks.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the racks include shelves, and wherein the N location indicators are attached to the shelves.

4. The system of claim 2 , wherein the racks include supporting members that extend over the aisles, and wherein the N location indicators are attached to the supporting members such that the location signals transmitted by the N location indicators are transmitted into the aisles.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein a first subset of the N location indicators is attached to end portions of the racks, and wherein a second subset of the N location indicators is attached along the length of the racks.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the N location indicators are mounted above the aisles.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the N location indicators include light emitting devices that transmit location signals into the aisles.

8. The system of claim 6 , wherein the N location indicators are attached to the ceiling of the store above the aisles.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the N location indicators include light emitting devices that transmit location signals into the aisles.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the N location indicators are located on the floor of the store.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the N location indicators are embedded within the floor of the store.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the N location indicators are connected to supporting members that are separate from the racks.

13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the N location indicators are connected to walls of the store.

14. A system comprising:

N location indicators arranged throughout a store that includes a plurality of stocked items for picking according to one or more electronic customer orders, wherein the store includes a plurality of racks that include the plurality of stocked items, wherein the racks define aisles within the store, wherein the N location indicators are associated with different aisles of the store, and wherein each of the N location indicators includes a different readable code;

a central computing system configured to wirelessly transmit the electronic customer orders; and

a mobile scanning device comprising a display, the mobile scanning device configured to:

wirelessly receive an electronic customer order comprising a plurality of ordered items indicating which of the stocked items are to be picked;

scan a first readable code included on a first location indicator;

determine a first location value based on the scanned first readable code;

scan a second readable code on a second location indicator;

determine a second location value based on the scanned second readable code;

arrange at least some of the plurality of ordered items on the display based on which of the first and second location values are determined;

scan a first item identification code included with a first stocked item; and

wirelessly transmit data to the central computing system indicating that the first item identification code has been scanned.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the N location indicators are attached to the racks.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the racks include shelves, and wherein the N location indicators are attached to the shelves.

17. The system of claim 15 , wherein the racks include supporting members that extend over the aisles, and wherein the N location indicators are attached to the supporting members.

18. The system of claim 14 , wherein a first subset of the N location indicators is attached to end portions of the racks, and wherein a second subset of the N location indicators is attached along the length of the racks.

19. The system of claim 14 , wherein the N location indicators are mounted above the aisles.

20. The system of claim 19 , wherein the N location indicators are attached to the ceiling of the store over the aisles.

21. The system of claim 14 , wherein the N location indicators are located on the floor of the store.

22. The system of claim 14 , wherein the N location indicators are embedded within the floor of the store.

23. The system of claim 14 , wherein the N location indicators are connected to supporting members that are separate from the racks.

24. The system of claim 14 , wherein the N location indicators are connected to walls of the store.

Continuity (7)
Continuation 15978645 · May 14, 2018
Continuation 15667025 · Aug 2, 2017
Continuation 15297404 · Oct 19, 2016
Continuation 14920205 · Oct 22, 2015
Continuation 14289983 · May 29, 2014
Provisional Application 61830082 · Jun 1, 2013
Related Publication 20190311420A1 · Oct 10, 2019