Patent ID: 9663292
Date: 2017-05-30
CPC Classifications: B65G,G05D,G06Q

Claim:
1. A non-transitory computer-readable medium embodying at least one program that, when executed by at least one computing device, directs the at least one computing device to perform a method comprising: determining a plurality of materials handling actions in a queue to be conducted at a materials handling station; identifying an inventory pod associated with a materials handling action among the plurality of materials handling actions in the queue; requisitioning a first drive unit for the materials handling action in the queue; dispatching the first drive unit on a materials handling route to retrieve and return the inventory pod to the materials handling station; monitoring a status of the plurality of materials handling actions in the queue over time; forecasting a timeframe for at least one other materials handling action among the plurality of materials handling actions in the queue to occur at the materials handling station based on the status of the plurality of materials handling actions in the queue; identifying an inventory pod zone for the at least one other materials handling action; and dispatching a second drive unit on a forecasted route toward the inventory pod zone based on the timeframe.