Task-indicating shelf

Abstract

A task-indicating shelf that includes a supporting surface for supporting one or more physical objects and one or more visual indicators associated with the shelf and indicative of a task to be performed with respect to the one or more physical objects is described. The task-indicating shelf includes a docking station electrically coupled to the one or more visual indicators and configured to receive a handheld device. Docking the handheld device within the docking station powers an electric circuit between the handheld device and the one or more visual indicators to selectively energize or de-energize the one or more visual indicators.

1 . A task-indicating shelf, comprising:
 a shelf including a supporting surface for supporting one or more physical objects;   one or more visual indicators associated with the shelf and indicative of a task to be performed with respect to the one or more physical objects; and   a docking station electrically coupled to the one or more visual indicators and configured to receive a handheld device;   wherein docking the handheld device within the docking station powers an electric circuit between the handheld device and the one or more visual indicators and selectively de-energizes one or more of the one or more visual indicators.   
     
     
         2 . The task-indicating shelf of  claim 1 , wherein the handheld device provides electrical power to the one or more visual indicators through the docking station. 
     
     
         3 . The task-indicating shelf of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more visual indicators are spaced along a length of the shelf. 
     
     
         4 . The task-indicating shelf of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more visual indicators are disposed along a front face of the shelf. 
     
     
         5 . The task-indicating shelf of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more visual indicators is a light source including a light emitting diode. 
     
     
         6 . The task-indicating shelf of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more visual indicators is configured to be selectively de-energized by the handheld device to stop emitting a light having a single color. 
     
     
         7 . The task-indicating shelf of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more visual indicators is configured to be selectively de-energized by the handheld device to stop emitting a flashing light. 
     
     
         8 . The task-indicating shelf of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more visual indicators is configured to be selectively de-energized by the handheld device to stop emitting lights having different colors. 
     
     
         9 . The task-indicating shelf of  claim 1 , wherein de-energizing a first visual indicator of the one or more visual indicators indicates a task of placing a physical object on the supporting surface of the shelf at a location adjacent to the de-energized first visual indicator. 
     
     
         10 . The task-indicating shelf of  claim 1 , wherein de-energizing a first visual indicator of the one or more visual indicators indicates a task of removing a physical object from the supporting surface of the shelf at a location adjacent to the de-energized first visual indicator. 
     
     
         11 . A task-indicating shelf system, comprising:
 a shelf including:
 a supporting surface for supporting one or more physical objects; 
 one or more visual indicators associated with the shelf and indicative of a task to be performed with respect to the one or more physical objects; and 
 a docking station electrically coupled to the one or more visual indicators and configured to receive a handheld device; and 
   a server in communication with the handheld device;   wherein docking the handheld device within the docking station triggers the handheld device to communicate with the server and receive a specification of tasks to be performed at the shelf from the server; and   wherein docking the handheld device within the docking station powers an electric circuit between the handheld device and the one or more visual indicators and selectively de-energizes one or more of the one or more visual indicators based on the task to be performed at the shelf.   
     
     
         12 . The task-indicating shelf system of  claim 11 , wherein the handheld device provides electrical power to the one or more visual indicators through the docking station. 
     
     
         13 . The task-indicating shelf system of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the one or more visual indicators is a light source including a light emitting diode. 
     
     
         14 . The task-indicating shelf system of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the one or more visual indicators is configured to be selectively de-energized by the handheld device to stop emitting a light having a single color. 
     
     
         15 . The task-indicating shelf system of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the one or more visual indicators is configured to be selectively de-energized by the handheld device to stop emitting a flashing light. 
     
     
         16 . The task-indicating shelf system of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the one or more visual indicators is configured to be selectively de-energized by the handheld device to stop emitting lights having different colors. 
     
     
         17 . The task-indicating shelf system of  claim 11 , wherein de-energizing a first visual indicator of the one or more visual indicators indicates a task of placing a physical object on the supporting surface of the shelf at a location adjacent to the de-energized first visual indicator. 
     
     
         18 . The task-indicating shelf system of  claim 11 , wherein de-energizing a first visual indicator of the one or more visual indicators indicates a task of removing a physical objects from the supporting surface of the shelf at a location adjacent to the de-energized first visual indicator. 
     
     
         19 . A method of indicating tasks to be performed on a shelf, comprising:
 providing a shelf including:
 a supporting surface for supporting one or more physical objects; 
 one or more visual indicators associated with the shelf and indicative of a task to be performed with respect to the one or more physical objects; and 
 a docking station electrically coupled to the one or more visual indicators and configured to receive a handheld device; 
   docking the handheld device within the docking station of the shelf;   transmitting tasks to be performed at the shelf from a server to the handheld device; and   powering an electric circuit from the handheld device and selectively de-energizing one or more of the one or more visual indicators based on the tasks to be performed at the shelf.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 selectively de-energizing the one or more visual indicators with the handheld device to stop emitting a light having a single color.