Method and apparatus for managing the allocation of items to processing stations in an order fulfillment process

Abstract

Various embodiments of a method and apparatus for managing the allocation of items to processing stations in an order fulfillment process are described. The apparatus for managing the allocation of items to processing stations in an order fulfillment process may include a conveyance mechanism including at least one item inducted into the conveyance mechanism. The apparatus for managing the allocation of items to processing stations in an order fulfillment process may also include an item allocation component. The item allocation component may be configured to assign the item to a particular sorting station of a group of multiple sorting stations. The item allocation component may determine the particular sorting station to which the item is assigned based upon a determined quantity of other items located at the particular sorting station and a determined quantity of other items en route to the particular sorting station.

1 .- 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A control system for assigning a given item of a plurality of items to a particular sorting station of a plurality of sorting stations, wherein the control system is configured to:
 direct ones of the plurality of items to ones of the plurality of sorting stations via a conveyance mechanism in which the plurality of items are inducted, wherein each sorting station comprises a plurality of sorting slots for sorting items of said plurality of items into respective shipments; wherein the plurality of sorting stations comprises at least some sorting slots of different sizes;   for each given sorting station of said plurality of sorting stations, determine a respective composite score based on a plurality of determined subscores, wherein said plurality of subscores comprises:
 a subscore that is a measure of available sorting slots at the given sorting station that have a sorting slot size determined as being best-fit to store all items of a shipment to which the given item belongs; 
 a subscore that is a measure of the quantity of items located at the sorting station and the quantity of items en route to the sorting station; 
   assign the given item of said plurality of items to said particular sorting station in response to determining that the respective composite score of said particular sorting station is larger than the composite scores of each of the other sorting stations of said plurality of sorting stations; and   direct the given item to said particular sorting station assigned by the control system.   
     
     
         24 . The control system of  claim 23 , wherein each of at least some of said plurality of subscores are weighted in the composite score by a respective weight. 
     
     
         25 . The control system of  claim 24 , wherein each respective weight is configurable. 
     
     
         26 . The control system of  claim 23 , wherein said plurality of subscores comprises a subscore that is a measure of whether the given sorting station is enabled for use. 
     
     
         27 . The control system of  claim 23 , wherein said plurality of subscores comprises a subscore that is a measure of the available labor resources at the given sorting station. 
     
     
         28 . The control system of  claim 23 , wherein said plurality of subscores comprises a subscore that is a measure of partially sorted shipments located at said sorting station. 
     
     
         29 .- 52 . (canceled)