Intelligent Reusable Packaging Improvements for Cognitive Shipping

Abstract

Embodiments are provided to improve reusable packaging for cognitive commerce shipping. The embodiments may include receiving information related to a product to be delivered in the reusable package and historical sensor data obtained from a knowledge corpus. The embodiments may also include predicting a size of the reusable package in which to deliver the product. The embodiments may further include identifying a required inflation level of a balloon array within the reusable package. The embodiments may also include inflating a plurality of balloons in the balloon array consistent with the required inflation level. The embodiments may further include, in response to determining that the product does not require additional protection, deflating each inflated balloon in the balloon array upon delivery of the product to its final destination.

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of computing, and more particularly to a system for improving reusable packaging for cognitive commerce shipping.

[0002] In the current market, products are delivered in suitable packaging. For example, larger products may require larger boxes than those required for smaller products. These products may be delivered by truck, van, ship, train, and / or plane. Many of these products may be delivered in reusable packaging, where the reusable packaging is collected after the product is delivered. Alternatively, the recipient may reuse the delivered packaging to either return an unwanted or defective product or to have an entirely different product delivered. Demand for reusable packaging is predicted to increase in the coming decades as technology continues to improve, giving consumers the ability to have products delivered to their homes with the click of a button. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to one embodiment, a method, computer system, and computer program product are provided for improving reusable packaging for cognitive commerce shipping. The embodiment may include receiving information related to a product to be delivered in a reusable package and historical sensor data obtained from a knowledge corpus. The embodiment may also include predicting a size of the reusable package in which to deliver the product based on the information. The embodiment may further include identifying a required inflation level of a balloon array within the reusable package based on the information and the historical sensor data. The embodiment may also include inflating a plurality of balloons within the balloon array consistent with the required inflation level. The embodiment may further include deflating each inflated balloon within the balloon array upon delivery of the product to the final destination in response to determining that the product does not require additional protection. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0004] These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings. Various features of the drawings are not to scale, as the illustrations are for clarity in facilitating those skilled in the art to understand the invention together with the detailed description. In the drawings:

[0005] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates an exemplary computing environment in accordance with at least one embodiment.

[0006] [Figure 2] 1 illustrates an operational flowchart for improving reusable packaging for cognitive commerce shipping in a reusable packaging improvement process according to at least one embodiment.

[0007] [Figure 3]10A-10C illustrate an example of the operation of a balloon array protecting a product, according to at least one embodiment.

[0008] [Figure 4] 4 illustrates an example of the operation of the balloon array of FIG. 3 to selectively protect portions of a product according to at least one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Although detailed embodiments of the claimed structures and methods are disclosed herein, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the claimed structures and methods, which may be embodied in various forms. The present invention, however, may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the exemplary embodiments described herein. In the description, details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the presented embodiments.

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

[0011] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of computing, and more particularly, to systems for improving reusable packaging for cognitive commerce shipping. The exemplary embodiments described below provide, among other things, systems, methods, and program products for identifying a required inflation level for a balloon array within a reusable package based on information related to a product and historical sensor data, and correspondingly inflating multiple balloons within the balloon array consistently with the required inflation level. Thus, the present embodiments function to improve reusable packaging technology by dynamically creating a protective cocoon around a product to prevent vibration and movement of the product during transport.

[0012] As previously explained, in the current market, products are delivered in suitable packaging. For example, larger products may require larger boxes than smaller products. These products may be delivered by truck, van, ship, train, and / or airplane. Many of these products may be delivered in reusable packaging, which is collected after the product is delivered. Alternatively, the recipient may reuse the delivered packaging to either return an unwanted or defective product or to have an entirely different product delivered. Demand for reusable packaging is expected to increase in the coming decades as technology continues to improve, giving consumers the ability to have products delivered to their home with the click of a button. The shapes and dimensions of products to be delivered may vary, and therefore, reusable packaging appropriate for one product may not be appropriate for a different product. This problem is typically addressed by statically defining inflation protection for packaging. However, this type of inflation protection fails to dynamically adjust inflation and inflate balloons during transportation based on an analysis of the product to be delivered.

[0013] Therefore, it may be necessary to have a system in place that dynamically adjusts inflation and inflates the balloon during shipping based on an analysis of the product to be delivered. Thus, embodiments of the present invention may provide advantages including, but not limited to, dynamically creating a protective cocoon around the product to prevent vibration and movement of the product during shipping, controlling inflation based on the size of the product and available space within the reusable package, and preventing damage to the product. The present invention does not require that all advantages be incorporated into every embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] According to at least one embodiment, when packaging a product, information related to a product to be delivered in the reusable package and historical data obtained from a knowledge corpus may be received to predict a size of the reusable package in which to deliver the product based on the information. In predicting the size of the reusable package, a required inflation level of a balloon array within the reusable package may be identified based on the information and historical sensor data, such that multiple balloons may be inflated within the balloon array consistent with the required inflation level. According to at least one embodiment, in response to determining that the product does not require additional protection during transportation to a final destination based on real-time feedback from multiple sensors within the reusable package, each inflated balloon within the balloon array may be deflated upon delivery of the product to the final destination.

[0015] According to at least one other embodiment, in response to determining that the product requires additional protection, a gas may be generated by mixing multiple chemicals together in a separate chamber within the reusable package, such that at least one balloon that lost air during transport to the final destination may be re-inflated with the generated gas. Each inflated balloon in the balloon array may then be deflated upon delivery of the product to its final destination.

[0016] The present invention may be a system, method and / or computer program product integrated at any possible level of technical detail. The computer program product may include a computer-readable storage medium (or media) having computer-readable program instructions for causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention.

[0017] A computer program product embodiment ("CPP embodiment" or "CPP") is a term used in this disclosure to describe any set of one or more storage media (also referred to as "media"), collectively contained in one or more storage devices, that collectively contain 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 for use by a computer processor. The computer-readable storage medium may be, but is not limited to, 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 the following: diskette, hard disk, 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 disk (DVD), memory stick, floppy disk, mechanically encoded device (such as a punch card or pits / lands formed on a major surface of a disk), or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Computer-readable storage media, as the term is used in this disclosure, is not to be construed as storage in the form of a transitory signal per se, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide, light pulses passing through fiber optic cables, electrical signals communicated over wires, and / or other transmission media.As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, data is typically moved at some infrequent time during the normal operation of a storage device, such as during access, defragmentation, or garbage collection, but the above does not make a storage device transient, as data is not transient while it is stored.

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

[0019] These computer-readable program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions / acts specified in one or more blocks of the flowcharts and / or block diagrams. These computer-readable program instructions may also be stored on a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer, programmable data processing apparatus, and / or other device to function in a particular manner, such that the computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon has an article of manufacture including instructions that implement aspects of the functions / acts specified in one or more blocks of the flowcharts and / or block diagrams.

[0020] The computer-readable program instructions may also be loaded into a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be executed on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device to generate a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions executing on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement the functions / acts specified in one or more blocks of the flowcharts and / or block diagrams.

[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 a flowchart or block diagram may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, including one or more executable instructions, that implement the specified logical function. 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 actually be executed concurrently or substantially concurrently, or the blocks may possibly be executed in the reverse order, depending on the functionality involved. It should also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and / or flowchart diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and / or flowchart diagrams, may be implemented by a dedicated hardware-based system that performs the specified functions or actions or executes a combination of dedicated hardware and computer instructions.

[0022] The exemplary embodiments described below provide systems, methods, and program products for identifying a required inflation level for a balloon array in a reusable package based on information related to the product and historical sensor data, and accordingly inflating multiple balloons in the balloon array consistently with the required inflation level.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 1 , an exemplary computing environment 100 is shown, according to at least one embodiment. The computing environment 100 includes an example environment for executing at least some of the computer code associated with performing the inventive method, such as a packaging improvement program 150. In addition to block 150, the 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, the computer 101 includes a set of processors 110 (including processing circuitry 120 and cache 121), a communications fabric 111, volatile memory 112, persistent storage 113 (including an operating system 122 and block 200 shown above), a set of peripheral devices 114 (including a set of user interface (UI) devices 123, storage 124, and a set of Internet of Things (IoT) sensors 125), and a network module 115. The remote server 104 includes a remote database 130. The 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 smartphone, a smartwatch or other wearable computer, a mainframe computer, a quantum computer, or any other form of computer or mobile device now known or later developed that is capable of executing programs, accessing a network, or querying a database, such as remote database 130. As is well understood in the field of computer technology, and depending on the technology, execution of a computer-implemented method may be distributed among multiple computers and / or among multiple locations. However, in this description of computing environment 100, for purposes of brevity, the detailed discussion focuses on a single computer, specifically computer 101. While computer 101 is not depicted in FIG. 1 within a cloud, it may be located within a cloud. However, computer 101 is not required to reside within a cloud except to any extent that may be expressly indicated.

[0025] Processor set 110 includes one or more computer processors of any type now known or later developed. Processing circuitry 120 may be distributed across multiple packages, e.g., multiple linked integrated circuit chips. Processing circuitry 120 may implement multiple processor threads and / or multiple processor cores. Cache 121 is memory located within the processor chip package and is typically used for data or code that should be available for fast access by threads or cores executing on processor set 110. Cache memory is typically organized into multiple levels depending on relative proximity to the processing circuitry. Alternatively, some or all caches for a processor set may be located “off-chip.” In some computing environments, processor set 110 may be designed to operate with qubits and perform quantum computing.

[0026] Computer-readable program instructions are typically loaded onto computer 101 to cause processor set 110 of computer 101 to perform a series of operational steps, thereby realizing a computer-implemented method, such that the instructions so executed instantiate the method specified in the flowcharts and / or descriptions of the computer-implemented methods contained herein (collectively referred to as the "methods of the present invention"). These computer-readable program instructions are stored on various types of computer-readable storage media, such as cache 121 and other storage media discussed below. The program instructions and associated data are accessed by processor set 110 to control and direct the execution of the methods of the present invention. In computing environment 100, at least some of the instructions for executing the methods of the present invention may be stored in block 200 within persistent storage 113.

[0027] Communications fabric 111 is the signal-conducting pathway that allows the various components of computer 101 to communicate with one another. Typically, this fabric is made up of switches and conductive pathways, such as buses, bridges, and switches and conductive pathways that make up physical input / output ports, etc. Other types of signal communication pathways may be used, such as fiber optic and / or wireless communication pathways.

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

[0029] Persistent storage 113 is any form of non-volatile storage for a computer, now known or later developed. The non-volatility of this storage means that stored data is maintained regardless of whether power is supplied to computer 101 and / or directly to persistent storage 113. While persistent storage 113 can be read-only memory (ROM), typically at least a portion of persistent storage 113 allows data to be written, data to be deleted, and data to be rewritten. Some well-known forms of persistent storage 113 include magnetic disks and solid-state storage devices. Operating system 122 may take several forms, such as various known proprietary operating systems or open-source Portable Operating System Interface-type operating systems that utilize a kernel. The code contained in block 150 typically includes at least some of the computer code associated with performing the methods of the invention.

[0030] The peripheral device set 114 includes a set of peripheral devices of the computer 101. Data communication connections between the peripheral devices 114 and other components of the computer 101 may be implemented in various manners, such as Bluetooth connections, near field communication (NFC) connections, connections made by cable (such as a universal serial bus (USB)-type cable), insertable connections (e.g., a Secure Digital (SD) card), connections made by a local area communication network, and even connections made by a wide area network such as the Internet. In various embodiments, the UI device set 123 may include components such as a display screen, speakers, microphones, wearable devices (such as goggles and smartwatches), keyboards, mice, printers, touchpads, game controllers, and haptic devices. The storage 124 may be external storage, such as an external hard drive, or insertable storage, such as an SD card. The storage 124 may be persistent and / or volatile. In some embodiments, the storage 124 may take the form of a quantum computing storage device for storing data in the form of qubits. In embodiments requiring computer 101 to have a large amount of storage (e.g., computer 101 stores and manages a large database locally), this storage may be provided by a peripheral storage device designed for storing very large amounts of data, such as a storage area network (SAN) shared by multiple geographically distributed computers. IoT sensor set 125 is made up of sensors that may be used in Internet of Things applications. For example, one sensor may be a thermometer and another sensor may be a motion detector. Peripheral device set 114 may also include a camera, an array of inflatable balloons, an inflation mechanism, a pressure sensor, a vibration sensor, a sound sensor, and / or a light sensor.

[0031] Network module 115 is a collection of computer software, hardware, and firmware that allows computer 101 to communicate with other computers over WAN 102. Network module 115 may include hardware such as a modem or Wi-Fi signal transceiver, software for packetizing and / or depacketizing data for communication network transmission, and / or web browser software for communicating data over the Internet. In some embodiments, the network control and network forwarding functions of network module 115 are performed on the same physical hardware device. In other embodiments (e.g., embodiments utilizing Software-Defined Networking (SDN)), the control and forwarding functions of network module 115 are performed on physically separate devices, such that the control function manages several different network hardware devices. Computer-readable program instructions for implementing the methods of the present invention may be downloaded to computer 101 from an external computer or external storage device, typically through a network adapter card or network interface included in network module 115.

[0032] WAN 102 is any wide area network (e.g., the Internet) capable of communicating computer data over non-local distances using any technology for communicating computer data, now known or later developed. In some embodiments, the WAN may be replaced and / or supplemented by a local area network (LAN) designed to communicate data between devices located in a local area, such as a Wi-Fi network. WAN 102 and / or LAN typically include copper transmission cables, optical fiber transmissions, wireless transmissions, and computer hardware such as routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers, and edge servers.

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

[0034] Remote server 104 is any computer system that services at least some data and / or functionality to computer 101. Remote server 104 may be controlled and used by the same entity that operates computer 101. Remote server 104 represents a machine that collects and stores useful and useful data for use by other computers, such as computer 101. For example, in the hypothetical case where computer 101 is designed and programmed to provide recommendations based on historical data, this historical data may be provided to computer 101 from remote database 130 of remote server 104.

[0035] A public cloud 105 is any computer system available for use by multiple entities that provides on-demand availability of computer system resources and / or other computer capabilities, particularly data storage (cloud storage) and computing power, without direct, active management by users. Cloud computing typically leverages resource sharing to achieve coherence and economies of scale. Direct, active management of the computing resources of the public cloud 105 is performed by computer hardware and / or software in a 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 comprise a host physical machine set 142, which is the universe of physical computers within and / or available to the public cloud 105. The virtual computing environments (VCEs) typically take the form of virtual machines from a virtual machine set 143 and / or containers from a container set 144. It is understood that these VCEs may be stored as images and transferred among and between various hosts of physical machines either as images or after instantiation of the VCE. Cloud orchestration module 141 manages the transfer and storage of images, deploys new instantiations of VCEs, and manages active instantiations of VCE deployments. Gateway 140 is a collection of computer software, hardware, and firmware that allows public cloud 105 to communicate over WAN 102.

[0036] Some further description of virtualized computing environments (VCEs) is now provided. A VCE can be stored as an "image." A new, active instance of a VCE can be instantiated from the image. Two well-known types of VCEs are virtual machines and containers. A container is a VCE that uses operating system-level virtualization. This refers to a feature of an operating system in which the kernel allows the existence of multiple isolated user space instances, called containers. These isolated user space instances typically behave as actual computers from the perspective of programs running within them. A computer program running on a typical operating system can utilize all of the computer's resources, such as connected devices, files and folders, network shares, CPU power, and quantifiable hardware capabilities. However, a program running inside a container can only use the contents of the container and of the devices assigned to the container; this feature is known as containerization.

[0037] A private cloud 106 is similar to a public cloud 105, except that the computing resources are available only for use by a single enterprise. While the private cloud 106 is shown in communication with the WAN 102, in other embodiments, the private cloud 106 may be entirely disconnected from the Internet and accessible only through a local / private network. A hybrid cloud is a composite of multiple clouds of different types (e.g., private, community, or public cloud types), often each implemented by a different vendor. While each of the multiple clouds remains a separate, discrete entity, the larger hybrid cloud architecture is bound together by standardized or proprietary technologies that enable orchestration, management, and / or data / application portability between the constituent clouds. In this embodiment, both the public cloud 105 and the private cloud 106 are part of a larger hybrid cloud.

[0038] According to this embodiment, the packaging improvement program 150 may be a program capable of receiving information and historical sensor data related to a product to be shipped in the reusable package, identifying a required inflation level for a balloon array within the reusable package based on the product-related information and historical sensor data, inflating multiple balloons within the balloon array consistent with the required inflation level, dynamically creating a protective cocoon around the product to prevent vibration and movement of the product during transport, controlling inflation based on the dimensions of the product and available space within the reusable package, and preventing damage to the product. Furthermore, despite being illustrated on the computer 101, the packaging improvement program 150 may be stored on 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 is described in further detail below with respect to FIG. 2. It may be understood that the examples described below are not intended to be limiting, and that the parameters used in the examples may vary in embodiments of the present invention.

[0039] 2, an operational flowchart 200 for improving reusable packaging for cognitive commerce shipping in a reusable packaging improvement process is shown in accordance with at least one embodiment. At 202, a packaging improvement program 150 receives information related to a product to be delivered in the reusable packaging and historical sensor data obtained from a knowledge corpus.

[0040] The relevant information for a product may 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 plane), and / or the transportation time of the product. For example, the weight of the product may be 20 pounds (9.07185 kilograms), the shape may be rectangular, and the dimensions may be 2 feet (60.96 centimeters) in length, 2 feet (60.96 centimeters) in width, and 1 foot (30.48 centimeters) in height. In another example, the mode of transportation of the product may be truck, and the transportation time may be 48 hours.

[0041] According to at least one embodiment, a camera may image a product loaded into a reusable package, and the packaging improvement program 150 may use computer vision techniques to identify the product. For example, the product may be several coffee mugs in a box, as shown in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, computer vision techniques may also be used to determine the shape and dimensions of the product. The weight of the product may then be estimated from the product's identification along with the weight and dimensions. Continuing with the example, the total weight of the coffee mugs may be 5 pounds (2.26796 kilograms).

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

[0043] The historical sensor data may include, but is not limited to, the historical pressure and number of inflated balloons in a balloon array during a previous shipment, the historical deflation rate of multiple balloons, and / or the historical vibration and movement of the product within the reusable package. The historical sensor data may be stored in a knowledge corpus. In an embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned information received in real time may become historical data after moving the information into the knowledge corpus. Thus, the information and historical sensor data may be included in the knowledge corpus, which may be accessed by the packaging improvement program 150.

[0044] Next, at 204, the packaging improvement program 150 predicts the size of the reusable packaging in which the product will be delivered. The size is predicted based on information related to the product. For example, the shape of the product and the product dimensions may indicate the predicted size of the reusable packaging. Continuing with the example, if the product dimensions are 2 feet (60.96 centimeters) long, 2 feet (60.96 centimeters) wide, and 1 foot (30.48 centimeters) high, the predicted size may be a reusable package having dimensions greater than 2 feet (60.96 centimeters) long, 2 feet (60.96 centimeters) wide, and 1 foot (30.48 centimeters) high. In another example, the weight of the product may also indicate the predicted size of the reusable packaging. Continuing with the example, a heavier product may require a larger reusable package than a lighter product. In yet another example, the mode of transportation may further indicate the predicted size of the reusable package. Continuing with the example, a ship may be larger than a truck, so the available space on a truck may be significantly less than the available space on a ship. Thus, to conserve space, reusable packaging for products to be delivered on trucks may be smaller than reusable packaging for products to be delivered on ships. In any of the above embodiments, the predicted size of the reusable packaging may be added to the knowledge corpus.

[0045] Next, at 206, the packaging improvement program 150 identifies a required inflation level for the balloon array within the reusable package. The required inflation level is identified based on the information and historical sensor data. The balloon array may be attached to each sidewall of the reusable package shown in FIG. 3. The balloon array may include adequate spacing to prevent one balloon from interfering with another adjacent balloon when inflated.

[0046] According to at least one embodiment, the required inflation level of the balloon array may be a pressure sufficient for the plurality of balloons intended to contact the product. For example, the information considered by the packaging improvement program 150 to identify the required inflation level of the balloon array may include the shape and dimensions of the product along with the size of the reusable packaging, and the considered historical sensor data may be the historical pressure and number of inflated balloons in the balloon array during previous shipments. Continuing with the example, assume the product is rectangular in shape and has product dimensions of 2 feet (60.96 centimeters) long, 2 feet (60.96 centimeters) wide, and 1 foot (30.48 centimeters) high, and the size of the reusable packaging is 3 feet (91.44 centimeters) long, 3 feet (91.44 centimeters) wide, and 2 feet (60.96 centimeters) high. Continuing with the example, assume the historical sensor data includes a total of four inflated balloons, where at least one balloon on the opposite sidewall is inflated 1 foot (30.48 centimeters) along the length of the package and at least one balloon on the opposite sidewall is inflated 1 foot (30.48 centimeters) along the width of the package. In this example, the required inflation level of the balloon array may be to inflate at least one balloon on the opposite sidewall 1 foot (30.48 centimeters) along the length of the package and at least one balloon on the opposite sidewall 1 foot (30.48 centimeters) along the width of the package.

[0047] In another example, information considered by the packaging improvement program 150 to identify the required inflation level of the balloon 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 deflation rate of multiple balloons and the historical vibration and movement of the product in the reusable packaging during previous shipments. Continuing with the example, assume the transportation mode of the product is by truck and the transportation time is 48 hours. Continuing with the example, assume the historical sensor data includes each inflated balloon being deflated at a deflation rate of 0.2 inches (0.508 centimeters) per hour when delivered by truck and the product is shifted within the reusable packaging during deflation. In this example, the required inflation level may apply more pressure to the balloon than in the previous example to offset the deflation rate and movement rate of the product.

[0048] According to at least one other embodiment, the required inflation level of the balloon array may be sufficient pressure for multiple balloons to contact only one or more insensitive portions of the product, as shown in FIG. 4 . In this embodiment, the packaging improvement program 150 may first identify one or more sensitive portions of the product and one or more insensitive portions of the product. The sensitive portions of the product may be sharp edges of the product and / or fragile portions of the product, as described in more detail below with respect to the description of FIG. 4 . The one or more sensitive portions may be identified based on the product's identity and the product's shape and dimensions. For example, if the product is a desk with a metal base and a glass top, the sensitive portion of the desk may be the glass top. The insensitive portion of the product may be any portion of the product that is not classified as a sensitive portion. Based on the one or more sensitive portions and one or more insensitive portions, the required inflation level of the balloon array may be the same as that in the embodiment described above for those balloons in contact with one or more insensitive portions of the product, with no inflation occurring in those balloons that would be in contact with one or more sensitive portions of the product, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0049] Next, at 208, the packaging improvement program 150 inflates the balloons in the balloon array. The balloons are inflated consistently with the required inflation level upon detecting a product in the reusable package. The reusable package may include an inflation mechanism, such as an airflow circuit and a valve, for each balloon in the balloon array. According to at least one embodiment, the inflation mechanism may be configured to automatically inflate the balloons upon detecting a product in the reusable package. In this embodiment, a sound sensor and / or a light sensor in the reusable package may be used to detect that a product is in the reusable package and therefore, inflation should be initiated. For example, after the product is placed in the reusable package, the reusable package may be closed, and a light sensor may determine that the interior of the reusable package is dark. Similarly, for example, the reusable package may be sealed with tape after being closed, and a sound sensor may detect the sound of the tape stretching across the reusable package. According to at least one other embodiment, the inflation mechanism may be manually activated by a user. For example, the inflation mechanism may be activated by a switch or button on the exterior of the reusable packaging and / or may be activated on the GUI of the end user device 103.

[0050] According to at least one embodiment where the required inflation level of the balloon array is sufficient pressure for the balloons intended to contact the product, the packaging improvement program 150 may inflate the balloons to the required level. For example, where the required inflation level of the balloons is to inflate at least one balloon on opposite sidewalls by 1 foot (30.48 centimeters) along the length of the package and at least one balloon on opposite sidewalls by 1 foot (30.48 centimeters) along the width of the package, the inflation mechanism may inflate the balloons to such levels.

[0051] According to at least one other embodiment, where the required inflation level of the balloon array is sufficient pressure for the balloons that are in contact only with one or more insensitive portions of the product, the packaging improvement program 150 may inflate only the balloons that would be in contact with one or more insensitive portions of the product. In this embodiment, the remaining balloons that would be in contact with one or more sensitive portions of the product may not be inflated. For example, if the product is a desk with a metal base and a glass top, and the sensitive portion of the desk is the glass top, the inflation mechanism may inflate only the balloons that would be in contact with the metal base without inflating the remaining balloons that would be in contact with the glass top.

[0052] According to at least one further embodiment, the reusable package may include multiple regions, where each sidewall of the reusable package may include at least two regions as shown in FIG. 3 and described in further detail below with respect to the description of FIG. 3. In this embodiment, at least one balloon may be inflated in each region of the multiple regions. Thus, at least two balloons (i.e., one balloon in each region) may be inflated on each sidewall of the reusable package.

[0053] Next, at 210, the packaging improvement program 150 determines whether the product requires additional protection during transportation to its final destination. The determination is made based on real-time feedback from multiple sensors within the reusable package. As described above, the peripheral device set 114 includes multiple pressure sensors and multiple vibration sensors. The real-time feedback may include the deflation rate of each inflated balloon as monitored by multiple pressure sensors within the reusable package. For example, multiple pressure sensors may detect that one or more of the inflated balloons are deflating at a rate of 0.5 inches (1.27 centimeters) every two hours. The real-time feedback may also include the vibration pattern of the product as monitored by multiple vibration sensors within the reusable package. For example, multiple vibration sensors may detect that the product is vibrating due to one or more balloons deflating. Thus, if one or more balloons deflate and the product vibrates as a result, it may be determined that the product requires additional protection. The knowledge corpus may be updated to include the real-time feedback. Accordingly, the multiple pressure sensors and the data received in real time from the multiple pressure sensors can also become historical data after moving the data into the knowledge corpus.

[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, where the gas is generated by mixing multiple chemicals together in separate chambers within 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, where each inflated balloon in the balloon array is deflated upon delivery of the product to its final destination.

[0055] Next, at 212, the packaging improvement program 150 generates a gas by mixing multiple chemicals together in separate chambers within the reusable package. While the product is in transit, an airflow circuit may not be available to inflate the multiple balloons. Therefore, the inflation mechanism may also include a chemical storage chamber containing the chemicals. Examples of gases generated by mixing the chemicals include, but are not limited to, helium, hydrogen, nitrous oxide, and / or oxygen. If the product is vibrating within the reusable package or one or more balloons are deflated, the packaging improvement program 150 may begin mixing the chemicals by turning on the battery and triggering the inflation mechanism.

[0056] Next, at 214, the packaging improvement program 150 re-inflates at least one balloon that lost air during transport to the final destination. The at least one balloon may be re-inflated with the generated gas. In addition to triggering the inflation mechanism, the battery may also force the generated gas into the opening of the at least one balloon that lost air. The at least one balloon that lost air may be re-inflated to a required inflation level. For example, if the at least one balloon deflated by 0.5 inches (1.27 centimeters), the at least one balloon may be supplied with enough generated gas to re-inflate the balloon by 0.5 inches (1.27 centimeters).

[0057] Next, at 216, the packaging improvement program 150 deflates each inflated balloon in the balloon array. Each inflated balloon may be deflated upon delivery of the product to its final destination. According to at least one embodiment, the inflation mechanism may be configured to automatically deflate each inflated balloon upon detecting that the product has been delivered to its final destination. In this embodiment, a sound sensor and / or a light sensor within the reusable package may be used to detect that the product has been delivered and therefore, deflation should be initiated. For example, after the product has been delivered, the reusable package may be opened and a light sensor may detect that the interior of the reusable package is light. Similarly, for example, tape may be peeled from the reusable package before it is opened and a sound sensor may detect the sound of the tape being peeled from the reusable package. According to at least one other embodiment, deflation of each inflated balloon may be manually activated by a user. For example, deflation may be activated by a switch or button on the exterior of the reusable package and / or may be activated on a GUI of the end user device 103.

[0058] Referring now to FIG. 3 , a diagram 300 illustrating an example operation of a balloon array 306 protecting a product 304 is shown in accordance with at least one embodiment. In diagram 300, a reusable package 302 may include multiple regions, where each sidewall of the reusable package 302 may include at least two regions A and B. The reusable package 302 may contain a product 304. For example, the product 304 may be several coffee mugs in a box. In this embodiment, at least one balloon 306 may be inflated in each region A and B of the multiple regions. Thus, at least two balloons 306 (i.e., one each in regions A and B) may be inflated on each sidewall of the reusable package 302. In this manner, if one of the balloons 306 is punctured, the product 304 may still receive some protection. For example, if each balloon 306 in region A is punctured, the remaining balloons 306 in region B may still provide some protection to the product 304.

[0059] Referring now to FIG. 4 , a diagram 400 illustrating an example operation of the balloon array 306 in FIG. 3 selectively protecting portions of a product 404 is shown in accordance with at least one embodiment. In diagram 400, a reusable package 402 may include 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 insensitive portions. As discussed above with respect to the description of FIG. 2 , the one or more sensitive portions of the product 404 may be sharp edges of the product 404 and / or fragile portions of the product 404. For example, if the product 404 is a statue, the one or more sensitive portions of the statue may be the lance and / or rounded portions of the base. Also, as discussed above with respect to the description of FIG. 2 , the one or more insensitive portions of the product 404 may be those portions of the product 404 that are not classified as one or more sensitive portions. 3 may include a first balloon array 406 and a second balloon array 408. The first balloon array 406 may be inflated to contact one or more insensitive portions of the product, while the second balloon array 408 may not be inflated and therefore may not contact one or more sensitive portions of the product 404.

[0060] It will be appreciated that Figures 2, 3, and 4 are only intended to illustrate one implementation and are not intended to suggest any limitations on how different embodiments may be implemented. Many modifications to the depicted environments may be made based on design and implementation requirements.

[0061] The description of various embodiments of the present invention has been presented for illustrative purposes, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein has been selected to best explain the principles of the embodiments, practical applications, or technical improvements over commercially available technology, or to enable others skilled in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

Claims

1. 1. A computer-based method for improving reusable packaging for cognitive commerce shipping, the method comprising: receiving information related to a product to be delivered in the reusable packaging and historical sensor data obtained from a knowledge corpus; predicting a size of the reusable package in which the product will be delivered based on the information; identifying a required inflation level for a balloon array within the reusable package based on the information and the historical sensor data; inflating a plurality of balloons in the balloon array consistently with the required inflation level; determining whether the product requires additional protection during transportation to a final destination based on real-time feedback from a plurality of sensors within the reusable package; and In response to determining that the product does not require additional protection: Deflating each inflated balloon in the balloon array upon delivery of the product to the final destination. A computer-based method comprising:

2. In response to determining that said product requires said additional protection: generating a gas by mixing multiple chemicals together in separate chambers within the reusable package; re-inflating at least one balloon that has lost air during transport to the final destination with the generated gas; and Deflating each inflated balloon in the balloon array upon delivery of the product to the final destination. The computer-based method of claim 1 further comprising:

3. 2. The computer-based method of claim 1, wherein the real-time feedback includes a deflation rate of each inflated balloon monitored by a plurality of pressure sensors within the reusable package, and the real-time feedback includes a vibration pattern of the product monitored by a plurality of vibration sensors within the reusable package.

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

5. Inflating the plurality of balloons in the balloon array comprises: inflating at least one balloon in each of a plurality of regions, wherein each sidewall of the reusable package comprises at least two regions. The computer-based method of claim 1 further comprising:

6. The step of identifying the required inflation level of the balloon array comprises: identifying one or more sensitive portions of the product and one or more insensitive portions of the product, wherein the plurality of balloons are inflated to contact the one or more insensitive portions of the product; The computer-based method of claim 1 further comprising:

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

8. 1. A 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. The computer system comprises: receiving information related to a product to be delivered in the reusable packaging and historical sensor data obtained from a knowledge corpus; predicting a size of the reusable package in which the product will be delivered based on the information; identifying a required inflation level for a balloon array within the reusable package based on the information and the historical sensor data; inflating a plurality of balloons in the balloon array consistently with the required inflation level; determining whether the product requires additional protection during transportation to a final destination based on real-time feedback from a plurality of sensors within the reusable package; and In response to determining that the product does not require additional protection: Deflating each inflated balloon in the balloon array upon delivery of the product to the final destination. A computer system capable of performing a method comprising:

9. In response to determining that said product requires said additional protection: generating a gas by mixing multiple chemicals together in separate chambers within the reusable package; re-inflating at least one balloon that has lost air during transport to the final destination with the generated gas; and Deflating each inflated balloon in the balloon array upon delivery of the product to the final destination. The computer system of claim 8 further comprising:

10. 9. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the real-time feedback includes a deflation rate of each inflated balloon monitored by a plurality of pressure sensors within the reusable package, and the real-time feedback includes a vibration pattern of the product monitored by a plurality of vibration sensors within the reusable package.

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

12. Inflating the plurality of balloons in the balloon array comprises: inflating at least one balloon in each of a plurality of regions, wherein each sidewall of the reusable package comprises at least two regions. The computer system of claim 8 further comprising:

13. The step of identifying the required inflation level of the balloon array comprises: identifying one or more sensitive portions of the product and one or more insensitive portions of the product, wherein the plurality of balloons are inflated to contact the one or more insensitive portions of the product; The computer system of claim 8 further comprising:

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

15. 1. A 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 executable by a processor capable of performing a method, the method comprising: receiving information related to a product to be delivered in the reusable packaging and historical sensor data obtained from a knowledge corpus; predicting a size of the reusable package in which the product will be delivered based on the information; identifying a required inflation level for a balloon array within the reusable package based on the information and the historical sensor data; inflating a plurality of balloons in the balloon array consistently with the required inflation level; determining whether the product requires additional protection during transportation to a final destination based on real-time feedback from a plurality of sensors within the reusable package; and In response to determining that the product does not require additional protection: Deflating each inflated balloon in the balloon array upon delivery of the product to the final destination. A computer program product comprising:

16. In response to determining that said product requires said additional protection: generating a gas by mixing multiple chemicals together in separate chambers within the reusable package; re-inflating at least one balloon that has lost air during transport to the final destination with the generated gas; and Deflating each inflated balloon in the balloon array upon delivery of the product to the final destination.

16. The computer program product of claim 15, further comprising:

17. 16. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the real-time feedback includes a deflation rate of each inflated balloon monitored by a plurality of pressure sensors within the reusable package, and the real-time feedback includes a vibration pattern of the product monitored by a plurality of vibration sensors within the reusable package.

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

19. Inflating the plurality of balloons in the balloon array comprises: inflating at least one balloon in each of a plurality of regions, wherein each sidewall of the reusable package comprises at least two regions.

16. The computer program product of claim 15, further comprising:

20. The step of identifying the required inflation level of the balloon array comprises: identifying one or more sensitive portions of the product and one or more insensitive portions of the product, wherein the plurality of balloons are inflated to contact the one or more insensitive portions of the product; 16. The computer program product of claim 15, further comprising:

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