Tote-Based Warehousing System and Method

Abstract

A warehousing system includes a container for storing at least one item, a first electronic (e.g,. radio frequency identification (RFID)) module associated with the first container, and a controller which wirelessly communicates with first electronic module, for directing a transfer of said at least one item to and/or from said first container. The inventive system may include, for example, a hybrid retail/warehouse system which includes a facility having a shelving area, and a picking area adjacent to the shelving area, and a layout so as to minimize a picking area and a walking distance between a picking area and a shelving area.

1 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A hybrid retail/warehouse system comprising:
 a retail/warehouse facility comprising a shelving area and a picking area adjacent to said shelving area, and having a layout so as to minimize a picking area and a walking distance between a picking area and a shelving area;   a container associated with said retail/warehouse facility for storing at least one item,   an electronic module associated with said container; and   a controller which wirelessly communicates with said module, for directing a transfer of said at least one item to and from said container.   
     
     
         8 . The hybrid retail/warehouse system according to  claim 7 , wherein said item is personally selected by in-store customers and remotely selected by out-of-store customers. 
     
     
         9 . The warehousing system according to  claim 7 , wherein said electronic module is affixed to said container. 
     
     
         10 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A hybrid retail/warehouse method comprising:
 storing at least one item in a container which is associated with a retail/warehouse facility, said facility comprising a shelving area and a picking area adjacent to said shelving area, and having a layout so as to minimize a picking area and a walking distance between a picking area and a shelving area; and   remotely directing a transfer of said at least one item to and from said container, using an electronic module which is associated with said container.   
     
     
         13 . The hybrid retail/warehouse method according to  claim 12 , wherein said item is at least one of personally selected by in-store customers and remotely selected by out-of-store customers. 
     
     
         14 . The hybrid retail/warehouse method according to  claim 12 , wherein said electronic module is affixed to said container. 
     
     
         15 . The hybrid retail/warehouse method according to  claim 12  wherein said container comprises a plastic tote. 
     
     
         16 . A signal-bearing media tangibly embodying a program of machine-readable instructions executable by a digital data processor to perform a warehousing method, said method comprising:
 storing at least one item in a first container; and   remotely directing a transfer of said at least one item to and from said first container, using an electronic module which is associated with said first container.   
     
     
         17 . A signal-bearing media tangibly embodying a program of machine-readable instructions executable by a digital data processor to perform a hybrid retail/warehouse method, said method comprising:
 storing at least one item in a container which is associated with a retail/warehouse facility, said facility comprising a shelving area and a picking area adjacent to said shelving area, and having a layout so as to minimize a picking area and a walking distance between a picking area and a shelving area; and   remotely directing a transfer of said at least one item to and from said container, using an electronic module which is associated with said container.   
     
     
         18 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A pallet for storing an item of merchandise, said pallet comprising:
 a body which contains said item of merchandise; and   an electronic identification module attached to said body.   
     
     
         23 . A package for storing an item of merchandise, said package comprising:
 a body which contains said item of merchandise; and   an electronic identification module attached to said body.   
     
     
         24 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A container for containing an item, comprising: a body which contains said item; and an electronic module integrally formed with said body. 
     
     
         27 . The container according to  claim 26 , wherein said body comprises an antenna coupled to said electronic module for facilitating wireless communication with said electronic module. 
     
     
         28 . The container according to claim  24 , wherein said body comprises a plurality of sides, said antenna being integrally formed with at least one of said plurality of sides. 
     
     
         29 . The container according to claim  24 , wherein said antenna is integrally formed with said plurality of sides. 
     
     
         30 - 32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . A system for warehousing an item, comprising:
 an electronic module associated with said item; and   a controller which wirelessly communicates with said electronic module, for controlling a warehousing of said item.   
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein said controller controls a warehousing of said item by controlling at least one of a location of said item and a movement of said item. 
     
     
         35 . An item to be warehoused, comprising:
 an electronic module associated with said item for wirelessly communicating with a controller which controls a warehousing of said item.   
     
     
         36 . The item of  claim 35 , wherein said electronic module is one of affixed to said item and integrally formed with said item.