Automated storage retrieval system connection and communication protocol

Abstract

Systems, method and computer readable medium are provided for automated storage and retrieval. User authentication information is received via a user interface for a dynamic storage and retrieval device. The user identity is verified based upon the authentication information and previously stored authentication data. order information is retrieved for an order associated with the user following the verifying of user identity, the order information indicating one or more locations for items associated with the order. Instructions are transmitted to initiate a physical opening of at least one of the dynamic storage and retrieval device and at least one static storage location to enable the user to retrieve at least one item of the order, the static storage location including a controller controlling a locking mechanism and communicatively coupled to the dynamic storage and retrieval device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An automated storage and retrieval system, the system comprising:
 a dynamic storage and retrieval device having a user interface;   at least one static storage location, the static storage location including a controller controlling a locking mechanism and communicatively coupled to the dynamic storage and retrieval device;   one or more databases holding user authentication data and order information regarding one or more items for a plurality of user orders; and   a computing device in communication with the dynamic storage and retrieval device, the computing device configured to execute a storage and retrieval module, wherein the storage and retrieval module, when executed:
 receives user authentication information via the user interface, 
 verifies user identity based upon the authentication information and authentication data, 
 retrieves order information for an order associated with the user following the verifying of user identity, the order information indicating one or more locations for items associated with the order, and 
 transmits instructions to initiate a physical opening of at least one of the dynamic storage and retrieval device and the at least one static storage location to enable the user to retrieve at least one item of the order. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the dynamic storage and retrieval device is a tower equipped with automated storage and retrieval mechanisms. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the static storage location is at least one of a locker and a location equipped with a lockable gate or opening. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the storage retrieval module transmits instructions to initiate the physical opening of both the dynamic storage and retrieval device and the at least one static storage location. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one storage location further includes:
 at least one proximity sensor to detect the arrival of the user. 
 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the at least one proximity sensor interacts with an application executing on a mobile device operated by the user. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the dynamic storage and retrieval device further includes:
 a robotic arm configured to retrieve the item in response to a command from the storage and retrieval module. 
 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the robotic arm is further configured to extend the item through the physical opening after retrieval. 
     
     
         9 . A computing device-implemented method for automated storage and retrieval, the method comprising:
 receiving user authentication information via a user interface for a dynamic storage and retrieval device;   verifying user identity based upon the authentication information and previously stored authentication data;   retrieving order information for an order associated with the user following the verifying of user identity, the order information indicating one or more locations for items associated with the order, and   transmitting instructions to initiate a physical opening of at least one of the dynamic storage and retrieval device and at least one static storage location to enable the user to retrieve at least one item of the order, the static storage location including a controller controlling a locking mechanism and communicatively coupled to the dynamic storage and retrieval device.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the dynamic storage and retrieval device is a tower equipped with automated storage and retrieval mechanisms. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the static storage location is at least one of a locker and a location equipped with a lockable gate or opening. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the storage retrieval module transmits instructions to initiate the physical opening of both the dynamic storage and retrieval device and the at least one static storage location. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the at least one storage location further includes:
 at least one proximity sensor to detect the arrival of the user. 
 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the at least one proximity sensor interacts with an application executing on a mobile device operated by the user. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the dynamic storage and retrieval device further includes:
 a robotic arm configured to retrieve the item in response to a command from the storage and retrieval module. 
 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the robotic arm is further configured to extend the item through the physical opening after retrieval. 
     
     
         17 . A non-transitory machine-readable medium storing instructions executable by a computing device, wherein execution of the instructions causes the computing device to implement a method for automated storage and retrieval, the method comprising:
 receiving user authentication information via a user interface for a dynamic storage and retrieval device;   verifying user identity based upon the authentication information and previously stored authentication data;   retrieving order information for an order associated with the user following the verifying of user identity, the order information indicating one or more locations for items associated with the order, and   transmitting instructions to initiate a physical opening of at least one of the dynamic storage and retrieval device and at least one static storage location to enable the user to retrieve at least one item of the order, the static storage location including a controller controlling a locking mechanism and communicatively coupled to the dynamic storage and retrieval device.   
     
     
         18 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 17  further comprising instructions wherein the dynamic storage and retrieval device is a tower equipped with automated storage and retrieval mechanisms. 
     
     
         19 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 17  further comprising:
 instructions wherein the static storage location is at least one of a locker and a location equipped with a lockable gate or opening; and 
 wherein the at least one storage location further includes at least one proximity sensor to detect the arrival of the user, wherein the at least one proximity sensor interacts with an application executing on a mobile device operated by the user. 
 
     
     
         20 . The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 17  wherein the at least one storage location further includes at least one proximity sensor to detect the arrival of the user, and wherein the at least one proximity sensor interacts with an application executing on a mobile device operated by the user.