Autonomous storage and retrieval tower

Abstract

Method and systems for an autonomous storage and retrieval tower integrated with a fulfillment system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 an autonomous storage and retrieval tower, the autonomous storage tower including:
 a housing; 
 a plurality of shelves, each of the shelves configured to support one or more physical items; 
 a storage receptacle for receiving the one or more physical items to be stored by the autonomous storage and retrieval tower or for dispensing the one or more physical items from the autonomous storage and retrieval tower; 
 an input device for receiving an input from a user for storing or dispensing a physical item of the one or more physical items within the autonomous storage and retrieval tower; and 
 a processing device; 
   a fulfillment server in communication with a database for tracking at least one physical item of one or more physical items within the autonomous storage and retrieval tower; and   wherein the processing device is in communication with the fulfillment server, the processing device configured to:
 receive the input from the input device for storing or dispensing the at least one physical item within the autonomous storage and retrieval tower; 
 communicate with the fulfillment server regarding the storing or the dispensing of the at least one physical item in the autonomous storage and retrieval tower, 
 wherein the fulfillment server updates the database regarding whether the at least one physical item was stored or dispensed from the autonomous storage and retrieval tower. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the autonomous storage and retrieval tower includes an application programming interface (API) to communicate with the fulfillment server. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processing device is further configured to:
 transmit a query to the fulfillment server whether the at least one physical item can be stored in the autonomous storage and retrieval tower,   wherein the fulfillment server determines whether the at least one physical item can be stored in the autonomous storage and retrieval tower and transmits a response regarding authorization to store the at least one physical item in the autonomous storage and retrieval tower to the processing device, and   wherein in response to receiving authorization from the fulfillment server, the processing device instructs the autonomous storage and retrieval tower to accept and store the at least one physical item in the autonomous storage and retrieval tower.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein in response to denied authorization from the fulfillment server, the processing device instructs the autonomous storage and retrieval tower to reject the at least one physical item from the autonomous storage and retrieval tower. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the processing device is further configured to transmit a notification whether the at least one physical item can be stored within the autonomous storage and retrieval tower. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processing device is further configured to:
 transmit a query to the fulfillment server whether the at least one physical item can be dispensed from the autonomous storage and retrieval tower,   wherein the fulfillment server determines whether the at least one physical item can be dispensed from the autonomous storage and retrieval tower and transmits a response regarding authorization to dispense the at least one physical item from the autonomous storage and retrieval tower to the processing device, and   wherein in response to receiving authorization from the fulfillment server, the processing device instructs the autonomous storage and retrieval tower to dispense the at least one physical item from the autonomous storage and retrieval tower.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein in response to receiving denied authorization from the fulfillment server, the processing device instructs the autonomous storage and retrieval tower to withhold dispensing of the at least one physical item from the autonomous storage and retrieval tower. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the processing device is further configured to transmit a notification indicating whether the at least one physical item is dispensable from the autonomous storage and retrieval tower. 
     
     
         9 . A method for integrating an autonomous storage and retrieval tower with a fulfillment system, the method comprising:
 receiving, via a processing device associated with an autonomous storage and retrieval tower, an input from an input device coupled to the autonomous storage and retrieval tower, the input device configured to receive an input from a user, wherein the input is associated with storing or dispensing a physical item of one or more physical items from the autonomous storage and retrieval tower;   communicating, via the processing device, with a fulfillment server regarding the storing or the dispensing of the physical item in the autonomous storage and retrieval tower, the fulfillment server in communication with a database for tracking physical items within the autonomous storage and retrieval tower; and   updating, via the fulfillment server, the database regarding whether the physical item was stored or dispensed from the autonomous storage and retrieval tower.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 transmitting, via the processing device, a query to the fulfillment server whether the physical item can be stored in the autonomous storage and retrieval tower;   determining, via the fulfillment server, whether the physical item can be stored in the autonomous storage and retrieval tower; and   transmitting, via the fulfillment server to the processing device, a response regarding authorization to store the physical item in the autonomous storage and retrieval tower,   wherein in response to receiving authorization from the fulfillment server, instructing, via the processing device, the autonomous storage and retrieval tower to accept and store the physical item into the autonomous storage and retrieval tower.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein in response to denied authorization from the fulfillment server, instructing, via the processing device, the autonomous storage and retrieval tower to reject the physical item from the autonomous storage and retrieval tower. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising transmitting, via the processing device, a notification whether the physical item can be stored within the autonomous storage and retrieval tower. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 transmitting, via the processing device, a query to the fulfillment server whether the physical item can be dispensed from the autonomous storage and retrieval tower;   determining, via the fulfillment server, whether the physical item can be dispensed from the autonomous storage and retrieval tower; and   transmitting, via the fulfillment server to the processing device, a response regarding authorization to dispense the physical item in the autonomous storage and retrieval tower,   wherein in response to receiving authorization from the fulfillment server, instructing, via the processing device, the autonomous storage and retrieval tower to dispense the physical item from the autonomous storage and retrieval tower.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , in response to receiving denied authorization from the fulfillment server, instructing, via the processing device, the autonomous storage and retrieval tower to withhold dispensing the physical item from the autonomous storage and retrieval tower. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising transmitting, via the processing device, a notification whether the physical item is dispensable from the autonomous storage and retrieval tower.