Computer-implemented systems and methods for transferring a return item to fulfillment centers for inventory management

Abstract

Disclosed embodiments provide systems and methods related to managing inventory by transferring return items to fulfillment centers. A method for managing inventory comprises predicting a zone within a fulfillment center for storing a return item, generating identifiers, to be affixed at a tote containing at least one return item, that facilitate receiving process at the predicted fulfillment center, receiving, from a mobile device associated with a fulfillment center, the generated identifiers for the tote containing at least one return item, determining whether the tote is transferred to correct fulfillment center, and storing at least one return item contained in the tote in a database storing inventory associated with the predicted fulfillment center.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A computer-implemented system for managing inventory by transferring return items to fulfillment centers, comprising:
 one or more memory devices storing instructions; and one or more processors configured to execute the instructions to perform operations comprising:
 receiving a return item identifier from a first mobile device; 
 determining the target fulfillment center based on the received return item identifier; 
 predicting a zone within the target fulfillment center for stowing a return item based on one or more parameters associated with the return item identifier, the return item identifier being associated with the return item; 
 assigning the return item identifier to a return identifier; 
 assigning the predicted zone to the return identifier; 
 assigning the target fulfillment center to the return identifier; 
 receiving, from a second mobile device, the return identifier and a location of the second mobile device, wherein the return identifier is captured by the second mobile device from a tote; 
 retrieving the target fulfillment center and the predicted zone and comparing both against the received location of the second mobile device; 
 transmitting, to the second mobile device and based on the comparing, a request for stowing the return item; and 
 assigning the return item identifier to the predicted zone. 
   
     
     
         22 . The computer-implemented system of  claim 21 , wherein the return identifier is captured by the second mobile device scanning a physical identifier affixed to the tote. 
     
     
         23 . The computer-implemented system of  claim 22 , wherein the physical identifier comprises at least one of: a barcode or a radio frequency identifier (RFID) tag. 
     
     
         24 . The computer-implemented system of  claim 23 , wherein the physical identifier comprises a barcode printed by the first mobile device in response to a request received from the one or more processors. 
     
     
         25 . The computer-implemented system of  claim 23 , wherein the physical identifier is a barcode printed by a printer in response to a request received from the one or more processors. 
     
     
         26 . The computer-implemented system of  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the parameters comprises at least one of: a priority level of the return item identifier, a dimension of the return item, a volume of the return item, a weight of the return item, a temperature for storing the return item, a return item grade associated with the return item identifier, or an expiration date of the return item. 
     
     
         27 . The computer-implemented system of  claim 21 , the operations further comprising substituting the return item identifier for at least one of: a waybill number, a reservation number, or a purchase number associated with an inbound item. 
     
     
         28 . The computer-implemented system of  claim 21 , the operations further comprising enabling at least one customer device to order the return item. 
     
     
         29 . The computer-implemented system of  claim 21 , the operations further comprising:
 determining a stowing error; and   transmitting a notification of the stowing error to the second mobile device.   
     
     
         30 . The computer-implemented system of  claim 21 , wherein the return identifier includes one or more tote identifiers. 
     
     
         31 . The computer-implemented system of  claim 21 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 receiving, from the second mobile device, a workstation identifier;   retrieving workstation identifiers;   determining whether the received workstation identifier matches one of the retrieved workstation identifiers; and   when the received workstation identifier matches one of the retrieved workstation identifiers:
 providing, for presentation via the second mobile device, a first user interface; or 
   when the received workstation identifier does not match one of the retrieved workstation identifiers:
 storing the received workstation identifier, and 
 transmitting, to the second mobile device, a second user interface. 
   
     
     
         32 . The computer-implemented system of  claim 31 , wherein:
 the first user interface comprises a message indicating another device associated with a worker is working at a workstation associated with the received workstation identifier; and   the second user interface comprises a request for a return item identifier.   
     
     
         33 . The computer-implemented system of  claim 32 , wherein the first user interface further comprises a selectable interface element for assigning the workstation to the second mobile device. 
     
     
         34 . The computer-implemented system of  claim 32 , wherein the return item identifier comprises a stock keeping unit (SKU) associated with the return item. 
     
     
         35 . The computer-implemented system of  claim 21 , wherein the return identifier includes one or more tote identifiers. 
     
     
         36 . The computer-implemented system of  claim 21 , wherein the operations further comprise providing, for presentation via the second mobile device, a user interface that includes a selectable interface element for canceling the return identifier. 
     
     
         37 . The computer-implemented system of  claim 21 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 receiving, from the second mobile device, a return item identifier which is not included in the received return identifier; and   providing, based on receiving the return item identifier which is not included in the received return identifier, a user interface for presentation via the first mobile device.   
     
     
         38 . The computer-implemented system of  claim 21 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 determining identical return item identifiers among the received return item identifiers; and   providing, based on determining identical return item identifiers among the received return item identifiers, a user interface for presentation via the first mobile device.   
     
     
         39 . A computer-implemented method for managing inventory by transferring return items to fulfillment centers, comprising:
 receiving a return item identifier from a first mobile device;   determining the target fulfillment center based on the received return item identifier;   predicting a zone within the target fulfillment center for stowing a return item based on one or more parameters associated with the return item identifier, the return item identifier being associated with the return item;   assigning the return item identifier to a return identifier;   assigning the predicted zone to the return identifier;   assigning the target fulfillment center to the return identifier;   receiving, from a second mobile device, the return identifier and a location of the second mobile device, wherein the return identifier is captured by the second mobile device from a tote;   retrieving the target fulfillment center and the predicted zone and comparing both against the received location of the second mobile device;   transmitting, to the second mobile device and based on the comparing, a request for stowing the return item; and   assigning the return item identifier to the predicted zone.   
     
     
         40 . A computer-implemented system for managing inventory by transferring return items to fulfillment centers, comprising:
 one or more memory devices storing instructions; and one or more processors configured to execute the instructions to perform operations comprising:
 receiving a return item identifier from a first mobile device; 
 determining the target fulfillment center based on the received return item identifier; 
 predicting a zone within the target fulfillment center for stowing a return item based on one or more parameters associated with the return item identifier, the return item identifier being associated with the return item; 
 assigning the return item identifier to a return identifier; 
 assigning the predicted zone to the return identifier; 
 assigning the target fulfillment center to the return identifier; 
 receiving, from a second mobile device, the return identifier and a location of the second mobile device, wherein the return identifier is captured by the second mobile device from a tote; 
 retrieving the target fulfillment center and the predicted zone and comparing both against the received location of the second mobile device; 
 transmitting, to the second mobile device and based on the comparing, a request for stowing the return item; 
 assigning the return item identifier to the predicted zone; 
 enabling at least one customer device to order the return item; and 
 receiving an order request for the return item from the at least one customer device.