Patent ID: 9582783
Date: 2017-02-28
CPC Classifications: G06Q,G08C

Claim:
1. A method, comprising: determining, by a management module encoded in a non-transitory medium, to complete an inventory request, the inventory request identifying an inventory item; identifying, by the management module, an inventory holder storing the inventory item; selecting, by the management module, a first inventory station from a plurality of inventory stations based at least in part upon a determination that the first inventory station has a higher score than a second inventory station, wherein the score associated with the first inventory station comprises a sum of a plurality of weighted metrics associated with the first inventory station; identifying, by the management module, a mobile drive unit to transport the inventory holder to the first inventory station, wherein the mobile drive unit comprises a self-powered device configured to move freely about a workspace; and communicating, by the management module, information identifying the inventory holder and the first inventory station to the identified mobile drive unit based on the identification of the mobile drive unit, wherein the mobile drive unit transports the inventory holder to the first inventory station in response to receiving the information.