Patent ID: 8306650
Filing Date: 2012-11-06
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A method, comprising: a plurality of agents moving along respective paths through an inventory storage area of a materials handling facility; while moving through said inventory storage area, a portion of said plurality of agents respectively selecting one or more of a plurality of items stored within said inventory storage area, wherein each one of said plurality of items is specified in a corresponding customer order, and wherein subsequent to selecting a particular one of said plurality of items, a particular one of said plurality of agents has physical possession of said particular item; and identifying an exchange opportunity with respect to at least two of said plurality of agents, wherein said identifying includes detecting an intersection of said respective paths of said two agents; subsequent to identifying said exchange opportunity, said at least two agents exchanging said particular item between one another prior to said particular item being delivered to any processing area by any agent, wherein exchanging said particular item comprises transferring physical possession of said particular item between said at least two agents.