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 . A warehousing system comprising: 
 a first container for storing at least one item,    a first electronic module associated with said first container; and    a controller which wirelessly communicates with said first electronic module, for directing a transfer of said at least one item to and from said first container.    
     
     
         2 . The warehousing system according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a second container for receiving said at least one item from said first container,    wherein said controller directs a transfer of said at least one item from said first container to said second container.    
     
     
         3 . The warehousing system according to  claim 2 , wherein said second container is associated with a second electronic module which wirelessly communicates with said controller, for facilitating a transfer of said at least one item from said first container to said second container.  
     
     
         4 . The warehousing system according to  claim 1 , wherein said first electronic module comprises a light emitting device which is activated to indicate that said at least one item should be transferred to and from said first container.  
     
     
         5 . The warehousing system according to  claim 1 , wherein said first electronic module comprises a display device for indicating a content of said first container.  
     
     
         6 . The warehousing system according to  claim 1 , wherein said first container comprises a plastic tote.  
     
     
         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 . A warehousing 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 a first electronic module which is associated with said first container.    
     
     
         11 . The warehousing method according to  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 remotely assigning a second container to receive said at least one item from said first container.    
     
     
         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 . The warehousing system according to  claim 1 , wherein said container comprises a pallet.  
     
     
         19 . The warehousing system according to  claim 1 , wherein said container comprises a plastic package.  
     
     
         20 . The warehousing system according to  claim 1 , wherein said container stores one item of merchandise.  
     
     
         21 . The warehousing system according to  claim 1 , wherein said controller wirelessly communicates with said first electronic module via a low frequency signal.  
     
     
         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 . The warehousing system according to  claim 1 , wherein said first electronic module comprises an antenna for facilitating said communication with said controller.  
     
     
         25 . The warehousing system according to  claim 1 , wherein said first electronic module is integrally formed with said first container.  
     
     
         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 23 , 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 . A package for containing an item, comprising: 
 a body which contains said item; and    an electronic module integrally formed with said body.    
     
     
         31 . A pallet for containing an item, comprising: 
 a body which contains said item; and    an electronic module integrally formed with said body.    
     
     
         32 . The warehousing system according to  claim 1 , wherein said item comprises a medical device.  
     
     
         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.