Intelligent reusable package improvements for cognitive shipping

Abstract

Embodiments are provided for improving a reusable package for cognitive commercial shipping. The embodiment may include receiving information related to a product to be transported in a reusable package and historical sensor data obtained from a knowledge base. The embodiment may also include predicting a size of a reusable package in which the product is transported. The embodiment may also include identifying a desired level of inflation of an array of balloons in a reusable package. The embodiment may also include inflating a plurality of airbags in the array of airbags in accordance with a desired level of inflation. The embodiment may also include, in response to determining that the product does not require additional protection, contracting each inflatable balloon in the array of balloons while delivering the product to the final destination.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention generally relates to the field of computing and, more particularly, to a system for an improved reusable packaging for cognitive commercial shipments.

[0002] In the current market, products are shipped in appropriate packaging. For example, larger products may require larger boxes than smaller products. These products can be shipped by truck, van, ship, train, and / or airplane. Many of these products can be shipped in reusable packaging, where the reusable packaging is collected after the product has been shipped. Alternatively, the recipient can reuse the shipped packaging to return unwanted or defective products or to ship an entirely different product. As technology continues to improve and gives consumers the ability to have products shipped to their homes at the push of a button, it is expected that the demand for reusable packaging will increase in the coming decades. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] According to one embodiment, there is provided a method, computer system, and computer program product for an improved reusable packaging for cognitive commercial shipments. The embodiment can include receiving information related to a product to be shipped in a reusable packaging and historical sensor data obtained from a knowledge base. The embodiment can also include predicting the size of the reusable packaging in which the product will be shipped based on the information. The embodiment can further include identifying a required inflation level of an airbag array in the reusable packaging based on the information and the historical sensor data. The embodiment can also include inflating a plurality of airbags in the airbag array in accordance with the required inflation level. The embodiment can further include deflating each inflated airbag in the airbag array when the product is delivered to a final destination in response to determining that the product does not require additional protection. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description of illustrative embodiments read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The various features of the drawings are not to scale as the illustrations are for the purpose of assisting one of ordinary skill in the art in understanding the invention in conjunction with the detailed description. In the drawings:

[0005] Figure 1 An exemplary computing environment is shown in accordance with at least one embodiment.

[0006] Figure 2 An operational flowchart for improving a reusable packaging for cognitive commercial shipments in a reusable packaging improvement process is shown in accordance with at least one embodiment.

[0007] Figure 3It is a diagram depicting an operational example of an airbag array for protecting a product according to at least one embodiment.

[0008] Figure 4 It is a diagram depicting an operational example of an airbag array in Figure 3 for selectively protecting parts of a product according to at least one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] Detailed embodiments of the claimed structures and methods are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely illustrative of the claimed structures and methods that may be embodied in various forms. The present invention, however, may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. Well-known features and techniques may be omitted in the description to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the presented embodiments.

[0010] It should be understood that the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a component surface" includes reference to one or more such surfaces unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0011] Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of computing and, more particularly, to a system for reusable packaging for improving cognitive commercial shipping. The exemplary embodiments described below provide a system, method, and program product for identifying a required inflation level of an airbag array in a reusable packaging based on information related to a product and historical sensor data and, thus, inflating a plurality of airbags in the airbag array in accordance with the required inflation level. Accordingly, the present embodiments have the ability to improve reusable packaging techniques by dynamically creating a protective layer around a product to prevent vibration and movement of the product during transportation.

[0012] As described previously, in the current market, products are transported in appropriate packaging. For example, larger products may require larger boxes than smaller products. These products can be transported by trucks, vans, ships, trains, and / or airplanes. Many of these products can be transported in reusable packaging, where the reusable packaging is collected after the product has been transported. Alternatively, the recipient can reuse the transported packaging to return unwanted or defective products or to transport completely different products. As technology continues to improve and gives consumers the ability to have products delivered to their homes at the push of a button, it is expected that the demand for reusable packaging will increase in the next few decades. The products to be transported can have different shapes and sizes, and thus the reusable packaging suitable for one product may not be suitable for different products. This problem is typically solved by statically defining the inflation protection for the packaging. However, this type of inflation protection cannot dynamically adjust the inflation during transportation and inflate the airbags based on an analysis of the product to be transported.

[0013] Therefore, it is necessary to set up a system in place to dynamically adjust the inflation during transportation and inflate the airbags based on an analysis of the product to be transported. Thus, the advantages that embodiments of the present invention can provide include, but are not limited to, dynamically creating a protective layer around the product to prevent vibration and movement of the product during transportation, controlling inflation based on the size of the product and the available space in the reusable packaging, and preventing damage to the product. The present invention does not require that all advantages must be incorporated into each embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] According to at least one embodiment, when packaging a product, information related to the product to be transported in a reusable packaging and historical data obtained from a knowledge base can be received in order to predict the size of the reusable packaging in which the product will be transported. When predicting the size of the reusable packaging, the required inflation level of an airbag array in the reusable packaging can be identified based on the information and historical sensor data, such that a plurality of airbags in the airbag array can be inflated in accordance with the required inflation level. According to at least one embodiment, in response to determining that the product does not require additional protection when being transported to a final destination based on real-time feedback from a plurality of sensors in the reusable packaging, each inflated airbag in the airbag array can be deflated when transporting the product to the final destination.

[0015] According to at least one other embodiment, in response to determining that the product does indeed require additional protection, gases can be generated by mixing multiple chemicals in an isolation chamber within a reusable package such that the generated gases can be utilized to reinflate at least one airbag that loses air during transportation to the final destination. Then, when the product is delivered to the final destination, each inflated airbag in the airbag array can be deflated.

[0016] The present invention can be a system, method, and / or computer program product at any possible level of integration of technical details. The computer program product can include a computer-readable storage medium (or medium) having computer-readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to perform aspects of the present invention.

[0017] The computer program product embodiment (“CPP embodiment” or “CPP”) is a term used in the present disclosure to describe any collection of one or more storage media (also referred to as “media”) that are jointly included in a collection of one or more storage devices, the collection of one or more storage devices jointly including machine-readable code corresponding to instructions and / or data for performing the computer operations specified in a given CPP claim. A “storage device” is any tangible device that can hold and store instructions used by a computer processor. Non-limitingly, the computer-readable storage medium can be an electronic storage medium, a magnetic storage medium, an optical storage medium, an electromagnetic storage medium, a semiconductor storage medium, a mechanical storage medium, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Some known types of storage devices that include these media include: magnetic disks, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), static random access memory (SRAM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disc (DVD), memory stick, floppy disk, mechanical encoding devices (such as punched cards or pits / lands formed in the main surface of a disc) or any suitable combination of the foregoing. The computer-readable storage medium (as the term is used in the present disclosure) should not be construed as storing in the form of a transient signal itself, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide, light pulses transmitted through an optical fiber cable, electrical signals transmitted through a wire, and / or other transmission media. As those skilled in the art will understand, data is typically moved at certain incidental points in time during the normal operation of a storage device, such as during access, defragmentation, or garbage collection, but this does not make the storage device transient because the data is not transient when it is stored.

[0018] Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatuses (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowcharts and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer-readable program instructions.

[0019] These computer-readable program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create a means for implementing the functions / acts specified in one or more blocks of the flowchart and / or block diagram. These computer-readable program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and / or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the computer-readable storage medium in which the instructions are stored comprises an article of manufacture including instructions for implementing aspects of the functions / acts specified in one or more blocks of the flowchart and / or block diagram.

[0020] The computer-readable program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device to produce a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement the functions / acts specified in one or more blocks of the flowchart and / or block diagram.

[0021] The flowcharts and block diagrams in the figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagram may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and / or flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and / or flowcharts, can be implemented by special-purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations of special-purpose hardware and computer instructions.

[0022] The exemplary embodiments described below provide a system, method, and program product for identifying a required inflation level of an airbag array in a reusable package based on information related to a product and historical sensor data, and thus inflating a plurality of airbags in the airbag array in accordance with the required inflation level.

[0023] Reference Figure 1 , depicts an exemplary computing environment 100 according to at least one embodiment. Computing environment 100 includes an example of an environment for executing at least some of the computer code involved in performing the methods of the present invention, such as a packaging improvement program 150. In addition to block 150, computing environment 100 includes, for example, a computer 101, a wide area network (WAN) 102, an end-user device (EUD) 103, a remote server 104, a public cloud 105, and a private cloud 106. In this embodiment, computer 101 includes a set of processors 110 (including processing circuitry 120 and cache 121), a communication fabric 111, volatile memory 112, persistent storage 113 (including an operating system 122 and block 200, as identified above), a set of peripheral devices 114 (including a set of user interface (UI) devices 123, a storage device 124, and a set of Internet of Things (IoT) sensors 125), and a network module 115. Remote server 104 includes a remote database 130. Public cloud 105 includes a gateway 140, a cloud orchestration module 141, a set of host physical machines 142, a set of virtual machines 143, and a set of containers 144.

[0024] Computer 101 may take the form of a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a smart phone, a smart watch, or other wearable computer, a mainframe computer, a quantum computer, or any other form of computer or mobile device now known or to be developed in the future that is capable of running programs, accessing a network, or querying a database such as remote database 130. As is well known in the field of computer technology and depending on the technology, the execution of computer-implemented methods may be distributed among multiple computers and / or multiple locations. On the other hand, in this presentation of computing environment 100, the detailed discussion focuses on a single computer (specifically on computer 101) to keep the presentation as simple as possible. Computer 101 may be located in the cloud, even if it is not shown as being in the cloud in Figure 1 , on the other hand, computer 101 does not need to be in the cloud unless to any extent that can be affirmatively indicated.

[0025] The processor set 110 includes one or more computer processors of any type now known or later to be developed. The processing circuitry 120 may be distributed across multiple packages, e.g., multiple cooperative integrated circuit chips. The processing circuitry 120 may implement multiple processor threads and / or multiple processor cores. The cache 121 is a memory located within the (multiple) processor chip packages and is generally used for data or code that should be made quickly accessible to the threads or cores running on the processor set 110. Cache memory is typically organized into multiple levels based on its relative proximity to the processing circuitry. Alternatively, some or all of the cache of the processor set may be located "off-chip". In some computing environments, the processor set 110 may be designed to work with qubits and perform quantum computing.

[0026] Computer-readable program instructions are typically loaded onto the computer 101 so that the processor set 110 of the computer 101 executes a series of operational steps to implement a computer-implemented method such that the instructions so executed will instantiate the method specified in the flowchart and / or the narrative description of the computer-implemented method (collectively referred to herein as "the inventive method") included in this document. These computer-readable program instructions are stored in various types of computer-readable storage media such as the cache 121 and other storage media discussed below. The program instructions and associated data are accessed by the processor set 110 to control and direct the execution of the inventive method. In the computing environment 100, at least some of the instructions for executing the inventive method may be stored in block 200 of the persistent storage device 113.

[0027] The communication structure 111 is a signal conduction path that allows the various components of the computer 101 to communicate with each other. Generally, this structure consists of switches and conductive paths such as those that make up a bus, a bridge, a physical input / output port, etc. Other types of signal communication paths may be used such as fiber optic communication paths and / or wireless communication paths.

[0028] The volatile memory 112 is any type of volatile memory now known or later to be developed. Examples include dynamic random access memory (RAM) or static RAM. Generally, the volatile memory 112 is characterized by random access, but this is not required unless affirmatively indicated. In the computer 101, the volatile memory 112 is located within a single package and inside the computer 101, but alternatively or additionally, the volatile memory 112 may be distributed across multiple packages and / or located external to the computer 101.

[0029] The persistent storage device 113 is any form of non-volatile storage device for a computer that is now known or will be developed in the future. The non-volatility of this storage device means that the stored data is maintained regardless of whether power is supplied to the computer 101 and / or directly to the persistent memory 113. The persistent storage device 113 can be a read-only memory (ROM), but typically at least a portion of the persistent storage device 113 allows for the writing of data, the deletion of data, and the re-writing of data. Some familiar forms of the persistent storage device 113 include magnetic disks and solid-state storage devices. The operating system 122 can take several forms, such as various known proprietary operating systems or operating systems of the open-source portable operating system interface type that employ a kernel. The code included in block 150 generally includes at least some of the computer code involved in performing the method of the present invention.

[0030] The set of peripheral devices 114 includes a collection of the peripheral devices of the computer 101. The data communication connection between the peripheral devices 114 and other components of the computer 101 can be implemented in various ways, such as a Bluetooth connection, a near-field communication (NFC) connection, a connection constituted by a cable (such as a universal serial bus (USB)-type cable), a plug-in connection (e.g., a secure digital (SD) card), a connection constituted by a local communication network, and even a connection constituted by a wide-area network such as the Internet. In various embodiments, the set of UI devices 123 can include components such as a display screen, a speaker, a microphone, wearable devices (such as goggles and smartwatches), a keyboard, a mouse, a printer, a touchpad, a game controller, and a haptic device. The storage device 124 is an external storage device (such as an external hard disk drive) or a plug-in storage device (such as an SD card). The storage device 124 can be persistent and / or volatile. In some embodiments, the storage device 124 can take the form of a quantum computing storage device for storing data in the form of qubits. In embodiments where the computer 101 needs to have a large amount of storage (e.g., in the case where the computer 101 locally stores and manages a large database), this storage can be provided by a peripheral storage device designed to store a very large amount of data, such as a storage area network (SAN) shared by multiple geographically distributed computers. The set of IoT sensors 125 consists of sensors that can be used in Internet of Things applications. For example, one sensor can be a thermometer, while another sensor can be a motion detector. The set of peripheral devices 114 can also include a camera, an inflatable airbag array, an inflation mechanism, a pressure sensor, a vibration sensor, a sound sensor, and / or a light sensor.

[0031] The network module 115 is a collection of computer software, hardware, and firmware that allows the computer 101 to communicate with other computers via the WAN 102. The network module 115 can include hardware (such as a modem or a Wi-Fi signal transceiver), software for encapsulating and / or decapsulating data transmitted over a communication network, and / or web browser software for transmitting data over the Internet. In some embodiments, the network control function and the network forwarding function of the network module 115 are executed on the same physical hardware device. In other embodiments (e.g., embodiments utilizing software-defined networking (SDN)), the control function and the forwarding function of the network module 115 are executed on physically separate devices, such that the control function manages several different network hardware devices. The computer-readable program instructions for performing the methods of the present invention can generally be downloaded to the computer 101 from an external computer or an external storage device via a network adapter or a network interface included in the network module 115.

[0032] The WAN 102 is any wide area network (e.g., the Internet) capable of transmitting computer data over non-local distances via any technology for transmitting computer data known now or to be developed in the future. In some embodiments, the WAN can be replaced and / or supplemented by a local area network (LAN) designed to transmit data between devices located in a local area, such as a Wi-Fi network. The WAN 102 and / or the LAN generally includes computer hardware, such as copper transmission cables, fiber optic transmission, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers, and edge servers.

[0033] The end-user device (EUD) 103 is any computer system used and controlled by an end user (e.g., a customer of an enterprise operating the computer 101) and can take any of the forms discussed above in connection with the computer 101. The EUD 103 typically receives helpful and useful data from the operation of the computer 101. For example, in the hypothetical case where the computer 101 is designed to provide recommendations to an end user, the recommendations will typically be transmitted from the network module 115 of the computer 101 to the EUD 103 via the WAN 102. In this way, the EUD 103 can display or otherwise present the recommendations to the end user. In some embodiments, the EUD 103 can be a client device, such as a thin client, a thick client, a mainframe computer, a desktop computer, etc.

[0034] The remote server 104 is any computer system that provides at least some data and / or functionality to the computer 101. The remote server 104 may be controlled and used by the same entity that operates the computer 101. The remote server 104 represents the (multiple) machines that collect and store helpful and useful data for use by other computers, such as the computer 101. For example, in the hypothetical case where the computer 101 is designed and programmed to provide recommendations based on historical data, the historical data may be provided to the computer 101 from the remote database 130 of the remote server 104.

[0035] The public cloud 105 is any computer system that is available for use by multiple entities, which provides on-demand availability of computer system resources and / or other computer capabilities (notably data storage (cloud storage) and computing power) without direct active management by the user. Cloud computing typically exploits the sharing of resources to achieve consistency and economy of scale. The direct and active management of the computing resources of the public cloud 105 is performed by the computer hardware and / or software of the cloud orchestration module 141. The computing resources provided by the public cloud 105 are typically implemented by virtual computing environments running on various computers that make up the set of host physical machines 142, which is the universe of physical computers in the public cloud 105 and / or the universe of physical computers available for the public cloud 105. The virtual computing environment (VCE) typically takes the form of virtual machines from the set of virtual machines 143 and / or containers from the set of containers 144. It should be understood that these VCEs can be stored as images and can be transferred between various physical machine hosts as images or after instantiation of the VCE. The cloud orchestration module 141 manages the transfer and storage of the images, deploys new instantiations of the VCE, and manages the active instantiations of the VCE deployment. The gateway 140 is a collection of computer software, hardware, and firmware that allows the public cloud 105 to communicate via the WAN 102.

[0036] Some further explanations of the virtualized computing environment (VCE) will now be provided. The VCE can be stored as an "image". New active instances of the VCE can be instantiated from this image. Two common types of VCEs are virtual machines and containers. A container is a VCE that uses operating system-level virtualization. This refers to an operating system feature where the kernel allows for the existence of multiple isolated user space instances (referred to as containers). From the perspective of the programs running within them, these isolated user space instances typically appear as actual computers. A computer program running on a normal operating system can utilize all the resources of that computer, such as connected devices, files and folders, network shares, CPU capabilities, and quantifiable hardware capabilities. However, a program running within a container can only use the contents of that container and the devices allocated to that container, which is a feature known as containerization.

[0037] The private cloud 106 is similar to the public cloud 105, except that the computing resources are only available for use by a single enterprise. Although the private cloud 106 is depicted as communicating with the WAN 102, in other embodiments, the private cloud 106 can be completely disconnected from the Internet and can only be accessed through a local / private network. A hybrid cloud is generally a combination of multiple clouds of different types (e.g., private, community, or public cloud types) typically implemented by different vendors. Each of the multiple clouds remains a separate and discrete entity, but the larger hybrid cloud architecture is tied together through standardized or proprietary technologies that enable orchestration, management, and / or data / application portability between the multiple constituent clouds. In this embodiment, both the public cloud 105 and the private cloud 106 are part of the larger hybrid cloud.

[0038] According to this embodiment, the packaging improvement program 150 can be a program capable of receiving information related to a product to be shipped in a reusable packaging and historical sensor data, identifying the required inflation level of the airbag array in the reusable packaging based on the information related to the product and the historical sensor data, inflating a plurality of airbags in the airbag array in accordance with the required inflation level, dynamically creating a protective layer around the product to prevent vibration and movement of the product during transportation, controlling inflation based on the size of the product and the available space in the reusable packaging, and preventing damage to the product. Additionally, although depicted in the computer 101, the packaging improvement program 150 can be stored in and / or executed by the end-user device 103, the remote server 104, the public cloud 105, and the private cloud 106 individually or in any combination. The packaging improvement method will be explained in more detail below with reference to Figure 2 It can be understood that the examples described below are not intended to be restrictive, and in embodiments of the present invention, the parameters used in the examples can be different.

[0039] Now refer to Figure 2 , an operation flowchart for improving a reusable packaging for cognitive commercial shipping in a reusable packaging improvement process 200 is depicted according to at least one embodiment. At 202, the packaging improvement program 150 receives information related to a product to be shipped in a reusable packaging and historical sensor data obtained from a knowledge base.

[0040] Product-related information can include, but is not limited to, the shape of the product, the weight of the product, the dimensions of the product (e.g., length, width, and height), the mode of transportation of the product (e.g., truck, van, ship, train, and / or airplane), and / or the transportation time of the product. For example, the weight of the product can be 20 pounds, the shape can be rectangular, and the dimensions can be 2 feet long, 2 feet wide, and 1 foot high. In another example, the mode of transportation of the product can be by truck, and the transportation time can be 48 hours.

[0041] According to at least one embodiment, a camera can capture a product loaded into a reusable package, and the packaging improvement program 150 can use computer vision technology to identify the product. For example, the product can be Figure 3 several coffee cups in the box shown. In this embodiment, computer vision technology can also be used to determine the shape and dimensions of the product. Then, the weight of the product can be inferred from the identification of the product as well as the weight and dimensions. Continuing with this example, the total weight of the coffee cups can be 5 pounds.

[0042] According to at least one other embodiment, a user can manually specify a product loaded into a reusable package via a graphical user interface (GUI) on the end-user device 103. For example, the user can specify that the product loaded into the reusable package is several coffee cups in a box, as Figure 3 shown. In this embodiment, the user can also specify additional information related to the product described above. For example, the user can specify the shape and dimensions. In any of the embodiments described above, the user can specify the mode of transportation and the transportation time. For example, the user can specify that the product will be transported by truck with an estimated transportation time of 48 hours.

[0043] Historical sensor data can include, but is not limited to, the historical pressure of the airbag array and the number of inflated airbags during previous shipments, the historical contraction rate of multiple airbags, and / or the historical vibration and movement of the product in the reusable package. Historical sensor data can be stored in a knowledge base. In an embodiment of the present invention, after the information is moved to the knowledge base, the information described above that is received in real time can also become historical data. Thus, the information and historical sensor data can be included in a knowledge base that can be accessed by the packaging improvement program 150.

[0044] Then, at 204, the packaging improvement program 150 predicts the size of the reusable packaging in which the product will be shipped. The size is predicted based on information related to the product. For example, the shape and dimensions of the product can indicate the predicted size of the reusable packaging. Continuing with this example, where the product has dimensions of 2 feet long, 2 feet wide, and 1 foot high, the predicted size could be a reusable packaging with dimensions greater than 2 feet long, 2 feet wide, and 1 foot high. In another example, the weight of the product can also indicate the predicted size of the reusable packaging. Continuing with this example, a heavier product may require a larger reusable packaging than a lighter product. In yet another example, the mode of transportation can also indicate the predicted size of the reusable packaging. Continuing with this example, since a ship may be larger than a truck, the available space on a truck may be significantly less than the available space on a ship. Therefore, to save space, the reusable packaging for a product to be shipped on a truck can be smaller than the reusable packaging for a product to be shipped on a ship. In any of the embodiments described above, the predicted size of the reusable packaging can be added to the knowledge base.

[0045] Next, at 206, the packaging improvement program 150 identifies the required inflation level of the airbag array in the reusable packaging. The required inflation level is identified based on this information and historical sensor data. The airbag array can be attached to Figure 3 each sidewall of the reusable packaging shown. The airbag array can be arranged at appropriate intervals to prevent one airbag from interfering with an adjacent airbag when inflated.

[0046] According to at least one embodiment, the required inflation level of the airbag array can be the sufficient pressure for bringing multiple airbags into contact with the product. For example, the information considered by the packaging improvement program 150 for identifying the required inflation level of the airbag array can include the shape and dimensions of the product, along with the size of the reusable packaging, and the historical sensor data considered can be the historical pressure and the number of inflated airbags in the airbag array during previous shipments. Continuing with this example, assume the product is rectangular in shape and has dimensions of 2 feet long, 2 feet wide, and 1 foot high, and the size of the reusable packaging is 3 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 2 feet high. Continuing with this example, assume the historical sensor data includes a total of 4 inflated airbags, where at least one airbag on opposite sidewalls is inflated 1 foot along the length of the packaging, and at least one airbag on opposite sidewalls is inflated 1 foot along the width of the packaging. In this example, the required inflation level of the airbag array can be to inflate at least one airbag on opposite sidewalls 1 foot along the length of the packaging and at least one airbag on opposite sidewalls 1 foot along the width of the packaging.

[0047] In another example, the information considered by the packaging improvement program 150 for identifying the required inflation level of the airbag array may also include the transportation mode of the product and the transportation time of the product, and the historical sensor data considered may also be the historical contraction rates of multiple airbags and the historical vibration and movement of the product in the reusable packaging during previous shipments. Continuing with this example, assume that the transportation mode of the product is by truck and the transportation time is 48 hours. Continuing with this example, assume that the historical sensor data includes each inflated airbag that contracts at a rate of 0.2 inches per hour when shipped by truck and the product that is transferred in the reusable packaging during contraction. In this example, the required inflation level may be to add more pressure to the airbags than the pressure in the example described above to offset the rate of contraction and movement of the product.

[0048] According to at least one other embodiment, the required inflation level of the airbag array may be sufficient pressure to cause multiple airbags to contact only one or more non-sensitive portions of the product, as Figure 4 shown. In this embodiment, the packaging improvement program 150 may first identify one or more sensitive portions and one or more non-sensitive portions of the product. The sensitive portions of the product may be the sharp edges of the product and / or the fragile portions of the product, which will be described in further detail below with reference to Figure 4 the description. One or more sensitive portions may be identified based on the identification of the product and the shape and dimensions of the product. For example, in the case where the product is a table with a metal base and a glass tabletop, the sensitive portion of the table may be the glass tabletop. The non-sensitive portions of the product may be any portion of the product that is not classified as sensitive. As Figure 4 shown, based on one or more sensitive portions and one or more non-sensitive portions, the required inflation level of the airbag array may be the same as the inflation levels of those airbags that contact one or more non-sensitive portions of the product in the embodiments described above, and those airbags that contact one or more sensitive portions of the product do not inflate.

[0049] Then, at 208, the package improvement program 150 inflates a plurality of airbags in the airbag array. When a product in the reusable package is detected, the plurality of airbags are inflated in accordance with a desired inflation level. The reusable package can be equipped with an inflation mechanism, such as an air flow circuit and a valve for each airbag in the airbag array. According to at least one embodiment, the inflation mechanism can be configured to automatically inflate the plurality of airbags when a product in the reusable package is detected. In this embodiment, a sound sensor and / or a light sensor in the reusable package can be used to detect that the product is in the reusable package and thus inflation should commence. For example, after the product is placed into the reusable package, the reusable package can be closed, and the light sensor can determine that the interior of the reusable package is dark. Similarly, for example, the reusable package can be sealed with tape after being closed, and the sound sensor can detect the sound of the tape stretching across the reusable package. According to at least one other embodiment, the inflation mechanism can be manually activated by a user. For example, the inflation mechanism can be activated by a switch or button on the exterior of the reusable package and / or activated on the GUI of the end user device 103.

[0050] According to at least one embodiment, in this embodiment the desired inflation level of the airbag array is sufficient pressure for the plurality of airbags to contact the product, and the package improvement program 150 can inflate the plurality of airbags to the desired level. For example, in the case where the desired inflation level of the plurality of airbags is to inflate at least one airbag on opposite sidewalls by 1 foot along the length of the package and at least one airbag on opposite sidewalls by 1 foot along the width of the package, the inflation mechanism can inflate the plurality of airbags to such a level.

[0051] According to at least one other embodiment, in this embodiment the desired inflation level of the airbag array is sufficient pressure for the plurality of airbags to contact only one or more non-sensitive portions of the product, and the package improvement program 150 can inflate only the plurality of airbags that contact one or more non-sensitive portions of the product. In this embodiment, the remaining airbags that contact one or more sensitive portions of the product can not be inflated. For example, in the case where the product is a table with a metal base and a glass tabletop, and the sensitive portion of the table is the glass tabletop, the inflation mechanism can inflate only the plurality of airbags that contact the metal base, and not inflate the remaining airbags that contact the glass tabletop.

[0052] According to at least one further embodiment, as Figure 3 shown and hereinafter referenced Figure 3As further described in the description, the reusable package can include multiple regions, and each sidewall of the reusable package can be composed of at least two regions. In this embodiment, at least one airbag can be inflated in each of the multiple regions. Thus, at least two airbags (i.e., one airbag in each region) can be inflated on each sidewall of the reusable package.

[0053] Next, at 210, the packaging improvement program 150 determines whether additional protection is required when the product is transported to the final destination. The determination is made based on real-time feedback from multiple sensors in the reusable package. As described above, the peripheral device set 114 includes multiple pressure sensors and multiple vibration sensors. The real-time feedback can include the contraction rate of each inflated airbag monitored by the multiple pressure sensors in the reusable package. For example, the multiple pressure sensors can detect that one or more of the inflated airbags are contracting at a rate of 0.5 inches every two hours. The real-time feedback can also include the vibration pattern of the product monitored by the multiple vibration sensors in the reusable package. For example, the multiple vibration sensors can detect that the product is vibrating due to the contraction of one or more airbags. Thus, when one or more airbags contract and the product vibrates as a result, the product can be determined to require additional protection. The knowledge base can be updated to include the real-time feedback. Thus, after the data is moved to the knowledge base, the data received in real time from the multiple pressure sensors and the multiple pressure sensors can also become historical data.

[0054] In response to determining that the product requires additional protection (step 210, "yes" branch), the reusable packaging improvement process 200 proceeds to step 212 to generate gas by mixing multiple chemicals in an isolation chamber in the reusable package. In response to determining that the product does not require additional protection (step 210, "no" branch), the reusable packaging improvement process 200 proceeds to step 216 to contract each inflated airbag in the airbag array when transporting the product to the final destination.

[0055] Then, at 212, the packaging improvement program 150 generates gas by mixing multiple chemicals in an isolation chamber in the reusable package. When the product is in transit, the air flow circuit may not be available to inflate the multiple airbags. Thus, the inflation mechanism can also include a chemical storage chamber that houses the chemicals. Examples of gases generated by mixing the chemicals include, but are not limited to, helium, hydrogen, nitrous oxide, and / or oxygen. When the product vibrates in the reusable package or one or more airbags contract, the packaging improvement program 150 can initiate the mixing of the chemicals by turning on the battery to trigger the inflation mechanism.

[0056] Next, at 214, the packaging improvement program 150 causes at least one airbag that has lost air during transportation to the final destination to reinflate. The generated gas can be utilized to reinflate at least one airbag. In addition to triggering the inflation mechanism, the battery can also force the generated gas into the opening of at least one airbag that has lost air. At least one airbag that has lost air can be reinflated to a desired inflation level. For example, in a case where at least one airbag has been deflated by 0.5 inches, the at least one airbag can be supplied with enough of the generated gas to reinflate the airbag by 0.5 inches.

[0057] Then, at 216, the packaging improvement program 150 causes each inflated airbag in the airbag array to deflate. Each inflated airbag can be deflated when transporting the product to the final destination. According to at least one embodiment, the inflation mechanism can be configured to automatically deflate each inflated airbag when it is detected that the product has been transported to the final destination. In this embodiment, a sound sensor and / or a light sensor in the reusable packaging can be used to detect that the product has been transported and thus deflation should begin. For example, after the product has been transported, the reusable packaging can be opened, and the light sensor can detect the light inside the reusable packaging. Similarly, for example, tape can be torn off the reusable packaging before the reusable packaging is opened, and the sound sensor can detect the sound of the tape being torn off the reusable packaging. According to at least one other embodiment, the deflation of each inflated airbag can be manually activated by the user. For example, deflation can be activated via a switch or button on the exterior of the reusable packaging and / or on the GUI of the end-user device 103.

[0058] Now referring to Figure 3 , FIG. 300 shows an example of the operation of an airbag array 306 for protecting a product 304 according to at least one embodiment. In FIG. 300, the reusable packaging 302 can include a plurality of regions, and each sidewall of the reusable packaging 302 can include at least two regions A, B. The reusable packaging 302 can contain the product 304. For example, the product 304 can be several coffee cups in a box. In this embodiment, at least one airbag 306 can be inflated in each of the plurality of regions A, B. Thus, at least two airbags 306 (i.e., one airbag for each of regions A, B) can be inflated on each sidewall of the reusable packaging 302. In this way, if one of the airbags 306 is punctured, the product 304 can still receive some protection. For example, if each airbag 306 in region A is punctured, the remaining airbags 306 in region B can still provide some protection to the product 304.

[0059] Now referring to Figure 4, showing an illustration 400 of an example operation of an airbag array 306 in Figure 3 that selectively protects portions of a product 404 according to at least one embodiment. In illustration 400, a reusable package 402 may contain a product 404. For example, the product 404 may be a statue, where the product 404 may include one or more sensitive portions and one or more non-sensitive portions. As described above with reference to Figure 2 the description, one or more sensitive portions of the product 404 may be the sharp edges of the product 404 and / or the fragile portions of the product 404. For example, when the product 404 is a statue, one or more sensitive portions of the statue may be the spear-like and / or rounded portions of the pedestal. Additionally, as described above with reference to Figure 2 the description, one or more non-sensitive portions of the product 404 may be those portions that are not classified as one or more sensitive portions of the product 404. Figure 3 The airbag array 306 in

[0060] may include a first airbag array 406 and a second airbag array 408. The first airbag array 406 may be inflated to contact one or more non-sensitive portions of the product. On the other hand, the second airbag array 408 may not be inflated and thus may not contact one or more sensitive portions of the product 404. Figure 2 、 Figure 3 、and Figure 4 merely provide an illustration of one implementation and do not imply any limitations as to how different embodiments may be implemented. Many modifications may be made to the depicted environment based on design and implementation requirements.

[0061] The description of the various embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration, but these descriptions are not intended to be comprehensive or limited to the disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the described embodiments. The terms used herein are chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application, or the technical improvement of the technology found in the marketplace, or to enable other ordinary skilled artisans in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A computer-based method for improving reusable packaging for cognitive commercial shipments, the method comprising: Receive information related to a product to be shipped in a reusable package and historical sensor data obtained from a knowledge base; Predict the size of the reusable package in which the product is to be shipped based on the information; Identify a required inflation level of an airbag array in the reusable package based on the information and the historical sensor data; Inflate a plurality of airbags in the airbag array to conform to the required inflation level; Determine whether the product requires additional protection when being transported to a final destination based on real-time feedback from a plurality of sensors in the reusable package; And In response to determining that the product does not require additional protection: When transporting the product to the final destination, cause each inflated airbag in the airbag array to deflate.

2. The computer-based method according to claim 1, further comprising: In response to determining that the product does require the additional protection: Generate a gas by mixing a plurality of chemicals in an isolation chamber in the reusable package; Utilize the generated gas to reinflate at least one airbag that loses air when being transported to the final destination; And When transporting the product to the final destination, cause each inflated airbag in the airbag array to deflate.

3. The computer-based method according to claim 1, wherein the real-time feedback includes the contraction rate of each inflatable airbag monitored by a plurality of pressure sensors in the reusable packaging, and wherein the real-time feedback includes the vibration mode of the product monitored by a plurality of vibration sensors in the reusable packaging.

4. The computer-based method according to claim 3, wherein the knowledge base is updated to include the real-time feedback.

5. The computer-based method according to claim 1, wherein inflating the plurality of airbags in the airbag array further comprises: Inflate at least one airbag in each of a plurality of regions, wherein each sidewall of the reusable package includes at least two regions.

6. The computer-based method according to claim 1, wherein identifying the required inflation level of the airbag array further comprises: Identify one or more sensitive portions of the product and one or more non-sensitive portions of the product, wherein the plurality of airbags are inflated to contact the one or more non-sensitive portions of the product.

7. The computer-based method according to claim 1, wherein the information related to the product is selected from the group consisting of the shape of the product, the weight of the product, the dimensions of the product, the mode of transportation of the product, and the shipping time of the product.

8. A computer system, the computer system comprising: One or more processors, one or more computer-readable memories, one or more computer-readable tangible storage media, and program instructions stored on at least one of the one or more computer-readable tangible storage media for execution by at least one of the one or more processors via at least one of the one or more computer-readable memories, wherein the computer system is capable of performing a method, the method comprising: Receive information related to a product to be shipped in a reusable package and historical sensor data obtained from a knowledge base; Predict the size of the reusable package in which the product is to be shipped based on the information; Identify a required inflation level of an airbag array in the reusable package based on the information and the historical sensor data; Inflate a plurality of airbags in the airbag array to conform to the required inflation level; Determine whether the product requires additional protection when being transported to a final destination based on real-time feedback from a plurality of sensors in the reusable package; and In response to determining that the product does not require additional protection: When transporting the product to the final destination, cause each inflated airbag in the airbag array to deflate.

9. The computer system according to claim 8, further comprising: In response to determining that the product does require the additional protection: Generate a gas by mixing a plurality of chemicals in an isolation chamber in the reusable package; Using the generated gas to reinflate at least one airbag that loses air during transportation to the final destination; And When transporting the product to the final destination, causing each inflated airbag in the airbag array to contract.

10. The computer system according to claim 8, wherein the real-time feedback includes the contraction rate of each inflatable airbag monitored by a plurality of pressure sensors in the reusable package, and wherein the real-time feedback includes the vibration mode of the product monitored by a plurality of vibration sensors in the reusable package.

11. The computer system according to claim 10, wherein the knowledge base is updated to include the real-time feedback.

12. The computer system according to claim 8, wherein inflating the plurality of airbags in the airbag array further comprises: Inflating at least one airbag in each of a plurality of regions, wherein each sidewall of the reusable package includes at least two regions.

13. The computer system according to claim 8, wherein identifying the required inflation level of the airbag array further comprises: Identifying one or more sensitive portions of the product and one or more non-sensitive portions of the product, wherein the plurality of airbags are inflated to contact the one or more non-sensitive portions of the product.

14. The computer system according to claim 8, wherein the information related to the product is selected from the group consisting of the shape of the product, the weight of the product, the dimensions of the product, the transportation mode of the product, and the transportation time of the product.

15. A computer program product, the computer program product comprising: One or more computer-readable tangible storage media and program instructions stored on at least one of the one or more computer-readable tangible storage media, the program instructions being executable by a processor capable of performing a method, the method comprising: Receiving information related to a product to be transported in a reusable package and historical sensor data obtained from a knowledge base; Predicting the size of the reusable package in which the product is to be transported based on the information; Identifying a required inflation level of an airbag array in the reusable package based on the information and the historical sensor data; Inflating a plurality of airbags in the airbag array to conform to the required inflation level; Based on real-time feedback from a plurality of sensors in the reusable package, determining whether the product requires additional protection during transportation to the final destination; and In response to determining that the product does not require additional protection: When transporting the product to the final destination, causing each inflated airbag in the airbag array to contract.

16. The computer program product according to claim 15, further comprising: In response to determining that the product does require the additional protection: Generating a gas by mixing a plurality of chemicals in an isolation chamber in the reusable package; Using the generated gas to reinflate at least one airbag that loses air during transportation to the final destination; And When transporting the product to the final destination, causing each inflated airbag in the airbag array to contract.

17. The computer program product according to claim 15, wherein the real-time feedback includes the contraction rate of each inflated airbag monitored by a plurality of pressure sensors in the reusable package, and wherein the real-time feedback includes the vibration mode of the product monitored by a plurality of vibration sensors in the reusable package.

18. The computer program product according to claim 17, wherein the knowledge base is updated to include the real-time feedback.

19. The computer program product according to claim 15, wherein inflating the plurality of airbags in the airbag array further comprises: Inflating at least one airbag in each of a plurality of regions, wherein each sidewall of the reusable package includes at least two regions.

20. The computer program product according to claim 15, wherein identifying the required inflation level of the airbag array further comprises: Identifying one or more sensitive portions of the product and one or more non-sensitive portions of the product, wherein the plurality of airbags are inflated to contact the one or more non-sensitive portions of the product.

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