Method, apparatus, and recording medium for determining cushion material when packing products

Abstract

This invention discloses a technique for determining suitable cushioning materials when packaging goods. One aspect of this invention, implemented via an electronic device, involves determining cushioning materials for packaging goods and may include the following steps: obtaining information on a plurality of cushioning materials; generating a plurality of cushioning material groups including at least a portion of the plurality of cushioning materials; mapping one of the plurality of cushioning material groups to each of one or more product categories including a target product; determining a target cushioning material group from the plurality of cushioning material groups to be used in the packaging operation of the target product; and generating a page including information on one or more cushioning materials included in the target cushioning material group.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a method for determining a suitable cushioning material when packaging goods. Prior Technology

[0002] With the development of communication technology and changes in the social environment, e-commerce services are providing a wider range of goods and services to more users through e-commerce platforms (e.g., online platforms). Users can conveniently purchase various goods and services using mobile applications running on electronic devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktop computers). E-commerce services also provide delivery services, utilizing logistics and delivery networks to deliver goods to users in various regions. This allows users to conveniently receive their ordered goods at their desired location.

[0003] The items ordered by the customer can be transported in specific units (e.g., parcels, pallets) and can be moved over long periods of time depending on the distance between the origin and destination. In this case, to prevent damage or deformation of the ordered goods, cushioning material used to protect them from physical impact can be packaged together with the goods. Depending on the shape, material, and size of the goods, various forms and materials of cushioning material can be used, playing a crucial role in preventing damage during delivery. Summary of the Invention

[0004] [The problem the invention aims to solve] One embodiment of the present invention aims to solve the technical problem of determining the appropriate cushioning material for each product by displaying the cushioning material used for packaging goods, without relying on the operator's memory.

[0005] Another technical problem to be solved by one embodiment of the present invention is that by packaging the goods ordered by the user together with suitable cushioning material, physical damage to the goods during handling or delivery can be minimized.

[0006] Another technical problem to be solved by one embodiment of the present invention is to construct a system in which appropriate cushioning materials can be set according to each category even if appropriate cushioning materials are not set for all individual products, thereby efficiently recommending appropriate cushioning materials for each product.

[0007] The technical problem of this invention is not limited to the technical problems mentioned above. Those skilled in the art can clearly understand other technical problems not mentioned based on the following description. [Technical means to solve the problem]

[0008] One aspect of the present invention, a method for determining cushioning material for packaging goods by means of an electronic device, may include the following steps: obtaining information on a plurality of cushioning materials; generating a plurality of cushioning material groups including at least a portion of the plurality of cushioning materials; mapping one of the plurality of cushioning material groups to each of one or more product categories that include a target product; determining a target cushioning material group among the plurality of cushioning material groups to be used for packaging operations of the target product; and generating a page including information on one or more cushioning materials included in the target cushioning material group.

[0009] In one embodiment, the step of determining the target cushioning material group to be used for the packaging operation of the target product may include the following steps: determining the priority of each cushioning material group mapped to each of the above-mentioned product categories; and determining the cushioning material group with the highest priority among the cushioning material groups mapped to each of the above-mentioned product categories as the target cushioning material group.

[0010] In one embodiment, the step of determining the priority of each buffer group mapped to each of the above-mentioned one or more product categories may include the following steps: confirming the number of products included in each of the one or more product categories that include the target product; and determining the categories with fewer products included in the one or more product categories that include the target product as having higher priority.

[0011] In one embodiment, the above method may further include the steps of: mapping the inventory units of the target product to one of the plurality of cushioning material groups; and determining the target cushioning material group to be used for the packaging operation of the target product includes the step of: determining the cushioning material group mapped to the inventory units of the target product as the target cushioning material group.

[0012] In one embodiment, the step of generating the plurality of buffer material groups may include the following steps: determining whether each of the plurality of buffer materials is activated; and generating a plurality of buffer material groups including at least a portion of the activated plurality of buffer materials.

[0013] In one embodiment, the step of mapping one of the plurality of buffer material groups to each of the product categories that include the target product may include the following steps: determining whether each of the plurality of buffer material groups is activated; and mapping one of the plurality of activated buffer material groups to each of the product categories that include the target product.

[0014] In one embodiment, the step of mapping one of the plurality of buffer material groups to each of the commodity categories that include one or more of the target commodity may include the following steps: mapping one of the plurality of buffer material groups to each of the commodity categories that include one or more of the target commodity based on the mapping relationship between other commodity categories that have similar characteristics to the target commodity and the plurality of buffer material groups.

[0015] In one embodiment, the step of mapping one of the plurality of buffer sets to each of the product categories that include the target product may include the following steps: taking a plurality of products provided in the e-commerce service as input data, and using a machine learning algorithm on each of the plurality of products, wherein the machine learning algorithm learns by taking the buffer sets mapped to each of the product categories that include the product as output data.

[0016] In one embodiment, the information of the plurality of buffer materials may include at least one of the following: the buffer material's code, name, display name, unit, or update time.

[0017] In one embodiment, the above method may further include the following steps: outputting the page to a display, the page including an image of the target product and a product card, the product card including information of the first and second cushioning materials included in the target cushioning material group.

[0018] In one embodiment, the product card may indicate the order in which the first cushioning material and the second cushioning material are used when packaging the target product.

[0019] In one embodiment, the product card may further include a first layer corresponding to the first cushioning material and a second layer corresponding to the second cushioning material, wherein the first layer is displayed in the form of an image surrounding the target product, and the second layer is displayed in the form of surrounding the first layer.

[0020] In one embodiment, the above method may further include the following steps: generating a buffer material list including information on the plurality of buffer materials; and outputting a first page including the buffer material list.

[0021] In one embodiment, the above method may further include the following steps: generating a list of buffer material groups including information on the plurality of buffer material groups; and outputting a second page including the list of buffer material groups.

[0022] In one embodiment, the above method may further include the following steps: generating a category mapping list representing the mapping relationship between each of the more than one product category including the target product and the plurality of buffer material groups; and outputting a third page including the category mapping list.

[0023] In one embodiment, the above method may further include the following steps: generating an inventory unit mapping list representing the mapping relationship between inventory units of the target product and the plurality of buffer material groups; and outputting a fourth page including the inventory unit mapping list.

[0024] An electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes one or more processors and one or more memory, which stores commands to be executed by the one or more processors, and the electronic device is configured such that when the commands are executed by the one or more processors, the one or more processors execute the method of the present invention.

[0025] In a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium according to one embodiment of the present invention, commands are recorded that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations. The commands can be configured such that the one or more processors execute the method of the present invention. [Effects of the Invention]

[0026] According to various embodiments of the present invention, by displaying the cushioning material for packaging goods, the appropriate cushioning material for each product can be determined even without relying on the operator's memory.

[0027] According to various embodiments of the present invention, by packaging the goods ordered by the user together with suitable cushioning material, physical damage to the goods during handling or delivery can be minimized.

[0028] According to various embodiments of the present invention, a system can be constructed in which appropriate cushioning materials can be set according to each category even if appropriate cushioning materials are not set for all individual products, thereby efficiently recommending appropriate cushioning materials for each product.

[0029] The effects of the technical concept of this invention are not limited to those mentioned above. Those skilled in the art can clearly understand other effects not mentioned based on the description in the specification. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0030] Figure 1 illustrates an environment in which an electronic device, according to one embodiment of the present invention, can be applied. Figure 2 is a block diagram of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 shows an example of the first page of one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 shows a page for managing information about cushioning materials according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 shows an example of the second page of one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 shows a page for managing information about the cushioning material assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 shows an example of page 3 of one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 shows a buffer material selection page for retrieving categories according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 shows an example of page 4 of one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10 shows a page for adding inventory units to an inventory unit mapping list according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 11 shows an example of page 5 of one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 12 shows a portion of a product card according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 13 shows a portion of a product card according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 14 shows an example of page 6 of one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 15 is a sequence diagram of the recommended method for the cushioning material of a product according to one embodiment of the present invention. Implementation

[0031] The various embodiments described herein are illustrative of the technical concept of the invention and are not intended to limit them to specific implementation methods. The technical concept of the invention includes various modifications, equivalents, alternatives, and embodiments obtained by selectively combining all or part of the embodiments described herein. Furthermore, the scope of the technical concept of the invention is not limited to the various embodiments shown below or their specific descriptions.

[0032] The terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, shall, unless otherwise defined, have the meanings commonly understood by one of common knowledge in the technical field to which this invention pertains.

[0033] The terms "including," "may include," "possibly possess," "may possess," "have," and "may have" used in this document imply the presence of object characteristics (e.g., functions, actions, or constituent elements), and do not exclude the existence of other additional characteristics. That is, the above-described expressions should be understood as open-ended terms that have the possibility of including other embodiments.

[0034] The singular expressions used herein may have the meaning of plural unless the context otherwise indicates, and this also applies to the singular expressions described in the claims.

[0035] The terms "first," "second," "first," and "second" used in this article, unless otherwise specified, are used to distinguish one object from others when referring to multiple objects of the same kind, and are not used to limit the order or importance of such objects.

[0036] The expressions “A, B and C”, “A, B or C”, “A, B and / or C”, “at least one of A, B and C”, “at least one of A, B or C”, “at least one of A, B and / or C” as used in this document may refer to the individual items listed or all possible combinations of the listed items. For example, “at least one of A or B” may refer to (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, or (3) at least one A and at least one B.

[0037] As used herein, the term "component" refers to software or hardware components such as FPGAs (field-programmable gate arrays) or ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits). However, "component" is not limited to hardware or software. A "component" can be constructed by storing on addressable storage media or by executing one or more processors. In one embodiment, a "component" may include components such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components, and task components, processes, functions, attributes, programs, sub-regularities, code fragments, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuits, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables.

[0038] The phrase "based on" as used in this document is used to describe one or more factors that influence a determined or judged action or behavior as described in the statement or article containing that phrase. This phrase does not exclude other factors that influence the determined or judged action or behavior.

[0039] The expression used in this document to say that a certain constituent element (e.g., the first constituent element) is "connected" or "linked" to another constituent element (e.g., the second constituent element) can mean not only that the aforementioned constituent element is directly connected to or linked to the aforementioned other constituent element, but also that it is connected to or linked to the aforementioned other constituent element through a new other constituent element (e.g., the third constituent element).

[0040] The phrase "configured to" as used in this article can have various meanings depending on the context, such as "configured in a certain way," "possessing the ability to perform certain actions," "modified in a certain way," "made in a certain way," or "capable of performing certain actions." This phrase is not limited to the meaning of "specially designed in hardware." For example, a processor configured to perform a specific action can refer to a generic-purpose processor that can perform that specific action by executing software.

[0041] In this invention, the term "user interface" can refer to a physical or virtual medium established to enable communication between a user and objects, systems, machines, or computer programs. Users can access e-commerce services through a user interface. For example, a user interface may include basic elements for displaying specific information such as images or text, and elements such as icons and buttons that can be constructed using these basic elements to receive user input. For example, a user selecting (clicking) the user interface can be described as receiving user input corresponding to the user interface. Furthermore, as a combination of basic elements such as images and text and elements for receiving user input, elements that can display specific information to the user and perform the function of receiving user input can be provided in the form of interface widgets, etc.

[0042] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings and descriptions, the same or substantially equivalent constituent elements may be given the same reference numerals. Furthermore, in the following descriptions of various embodiments, repeated descriptions of the same or corresponding constituent elements may be omitted, but this does not mean that such constituent elements are not included in the embodiments.

[0043] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the environment in which an electronic device of one embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

[0044] Electronic device 110, user terminal 120, and operator terminal 130 are connected via a network, enabling them to communicate with each other. Electronic device 110 can be a server or another terminal separate from user terminal 120 and operator terminal 130.

[0045] Electronic device 110 can be a server device that provides e-commerce services. That is, electronic device 110 can be a server device that operates under the management of an e-commerce service operator.

[0046] Electronic device 110 can manage the information of users utilizing e-commerce services. The user information managed by electronic device 110 as described above may include, for example, the user's name, age, address, or contact information. The management of user information can refer to all actions performed by having control over and processing that information. For example, the management of user information may include storing, updating, or modifying that information.

[0047] Electronic device 110 can manage information about goods provided in e-commerce services. E-commerce services can provide users with a service that allows them to purchase goods such as items, food, and products. Alternatively, the e-commerce service provided by electronic device 110 can include a service that intermediaries a group of users to sell goods to other users. The information about goods managed by electronic device 110 as described above can include, for example, the item's identification information, the item's name, information about the corresponding product, the item's price, the item's capacity, size, weight, attributes, category, or unit price. In this case, the item can be a sales unit of a product, and even in the case of the same product, it can be provided to users as different items. For example, in the case of the same product, the sales unit quantity and price can be changed to sell it as a different item. Therefore, different items sharing product information can exist. The management of item information can refer to all actions involving control over and processing of that information. For example, the management of item information can include storing, updating, or modifying that information.

[0048] Electronic device 110 can manage various information to be provided to users utilizing e-commerce services. Electronic device 110 can manage various data required to provide e-commerce services based on requests from administrators managing the e-commerce services or users utilizing the e-commerce services. For example, it can generate, modify, store, or provide data for various pages accompanying the e-commerce services to users, such as product catalog pages, product detail pages, search result pages, product sales pages, activity pages, and login pages generated due to user access requests.

[0049] Regarding the management method of electronic device 110, in one embodiment, electronic device 110 can manage information accompanying the provision of e-commerce services based on user input. For example, electronic device 110 can communicate with user terminal 120 to provide data for executing mobile applications (or "applications") for utilizing e-commerce services. Mobile applications provide various functions required by users to utilize e-commerce services in portable electronic devices such as smartphones and tablets, and interact with users through a user interface (UI). For example, users can send and receive messages or share photos with other users through social networking applications, and can also use financial applications to manage bank transactions. Such mobile applications often have dedicated functions designed to provide convenience and efficiency for users. For example, mobile applications can be executed on user terminal 120.

[0050] In one embodiment, electronic device 110 may provide a page related to e-commerce services to user terminal 120 based on a request from a user utilizing e-commerce services. Here, the e-commerce service-related page provided to user terminal 120 may include a page providing various information about items available for purchase, a page related to purchasing items requested by the user, a shopping cart page for purchasing items, a page providing a catalog of items searchable using various methods, a page providing detailed information about items, etc. The page provision action may include providing the user with at least a portion of all data generated during the user's use of the e-commerce services. The page may include a user-interactive graphical interface, through which electronic device 110 can perform functions supported by mobile applications.

[0051] Furthermore, the electronic device 110 can manage transactions related to e-commerce services provided to users, i.e., transactions related to online goods (e.g., products or services). Specifically, the electronic device 110 can manage a series of processes, such as allowing users to search for, select, purchase, and settle orders for items, and to request delivery. The electronic device 110 can provide customers with information on items and delivery through the processes described above, and can receive purchase, settlement, and delivery requests from users, allowing users to search for, select, purchase, and settle orders for items, and to request delivery. In addition, it should be noted that regarding actions that the electronic device 110 can perform, even those not mentioned in this invention, as long as they are common actions that a server device providing known e-commerce services can perform, the scope of this invention does not exclude the application of the technical concept of this invention by reference to such actions.

[0052] Electronic device 110 can be a server device for managing e-commerce services. That is, electronic device 110 can be a server device for managing a platform that provides e-commerce services. Users can register for e-commerce services and purchase items through e-commerce services. User terminal 120 can transmit information requesting items to electronic device 110, and electronic device 110 can provide item information to user terminal 120.

[0053] Electronic device 110 can generate a logistics operation schedule based on the goods and delivery locations included in a received delivery order. Logistics operations may include sorting, inspecting, packing, loading, and transporting of goods stored in a distribution center. For example, electronic device 110 can generate a schedule for managing transport operations. Hereinafter, "transport" may be used interchangeably with "delivery" or "transportation." According to one embodiment, electronic device 110 can generate a delivery schedule for delivering goods to a designated location in response to an order for specific goods received from user terminal 120. For example, electronic device 110 can transmit information about the characteristics of each product, delivery precautions, and suitable packaging containers and cushioning materials to operators performing the packaging operations. Electronic device 110 can transmit the delivery schedule to operator terminal 130, thereby instructing operators to handle logistics operations according to the delivery schedule.

[0054] For example, electronic device 110 can generate a schedule for managing packaging operations. Electronic device 110 can also generate and transmit data on packaging containers and cushioning materials for each ordered item to the operator terminal 130. According to one embodiment, electronic device 110 can store information on cushioning materials used for packaging goods based on input from an administrator on electronic device 110. Cushioning material refers to various substances used to absorb physical impacts during the packaging process of goods, protecting them from damage and dispersing pressure. One or more cushioning materials can be placed together with the goods in the packaging container. Cushioning materials may include, for example, OPUS film, air cell, polyurethane foam, memory foam, latex foam, air cushion, bubble wrap, silicone gel, polymer gel, polyester fiber, natural fiber, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). Examples of cushioning materials are not limited to those listed above; various types of materials used in the logistics process can be used as cushioning materials. For example, electronic device 110 can receive various data on cushioning materials used for packaging goods in e-commerce services from an administrator. The administrator can refer to a person with access rights to electronic device 110 and who manages various server data of the e-commerce service. The actions of the administrator in inputting various information related to cushioning materials used for packaging goods into electronic device 110 will be explained in detail in Figures 2 to 10 below.

[0055] The electronic device 110 described above can be implemented as one or more computing devices. For example, all functions of the electronic device 110 can be implemented in a single computing device. As another example, a first function of the electronic device 110 can be implemented in a first computing device and a second function in a second computing device. As yet another example, a plurality of computing devices can be used to implement all or specific functions of the electronic device 110. The computing device described above can be a desktop computer, a laptop computer, an application server, a proxy server, or a cloud server, but is not limited to these; all types of devices with computing capabilities can be computing devices.

[0056] User terminal 120 can be a device used by users to utilize e-commerce services. User terminal 120 can be implemented as a terminal that can send and receive various information with electronic device 110 via a network. For example, user terminal 120 can be one of a computer, laptop, portable communication terminal (smartphone, etc.), portable multimedia device, wearable device, or HMD (Head-Mounted Display). However, the type of user terminal 120 is not limited to these. User terminal 120 can be any device that can include an input / output interface capable of receiving information from or sending information to the user, and can communicate with electronic device 110 or other devices via a network.

[0057] User terminal 120 can provide users with information received from electronic device 110, and can receive input from the user and transmit it to electronic device 110. Specifically, user terminal 120 can obtain input from the user instructing them to call various pages, and generate commands instructing them to call various pages in response to the obtained input. User terminal 120 can transmit commands instructing them to call various pages to electronic device 110. Input obtained from the user may include various forms of input such as mouse clicks, touch controls using a touchpad or touchscreen, voice recognition, and other electronic inputs. User terminal 120 can receive various pages from electronic device 110 and output the received pages.

[0058] User terminal 120 can be a device used by a user to access delivery and ordering services. User terminal 120 can be implemented as a terminal capable of sending and receiving various information with electronic device 110 via a network. For example, user terminal 120 can be one of a computer, laptop, portable communication terminal (smartphone, etc.), portable multimedia device, wearable device, or HMD. However, the type of user terminal 120 is not limited to these; user terminal 120 can be any device that includes an input / output interface capable of receiving or sending information to the user, and communicates with electronic device 110 or other devices via a network.

[0059] The operator terminal 130 may be a device for displaying information on logistics operations. According to one embodiment, the operator terminal 130 can provide information for sorting, receiving, packaging, and stacking operations performed within the distribution center. For example, the operator terminal 130 can provide operators with information on suitable packaging containers and cushioning materials for each product during packaging operations, and can receive information from operators regarding the progress of packaging operations. According to one embodiment, the operator terminal 130 can provide information for handling goods outside the distribution center. For example, the operator terminal 130 can provide operators with information on the means of transport (e.g., line-haul trucks), destination, route to destination, and estimated time for stacking goods during handling operations.

[0060] The operator terminal 130 can be implemented as a terminal that can send and receive various information with the electronic device 110 via a network. For example, the operator terminal 130 can be one of a computer, laptop, portable communication terminal (smartphone, etc.), portable multimedia device, wearable device, or HMD. However, the type of operator terminal 130 is not limited to these. The operator terminal 130 can be any device that can include an input / output interface that can receive information from or output information to the operator, and communicate with the electronic device 110 or other devices via a network.

[0061] The network serves to connect electronic device 110, user terminal 120, operator terminal 130, or other external devices. For example, the network provides a connection path so that user terminal 120, operator terminal 130, or other external devices can connect to electronic device 110 and send and receive packet data with electronic device 110. The network can be implemented as any type of wired or wireless network, such as a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), a Mobile Radio Communication Network, or Wibro (Wireless Broadband Internet).

[0062] In one embodiment, the electronic device 110 and the user terminal 120 can operate as a single device. The user terminal 120 can be included as a component of the electronic device 110, either entirely or partially. In this case, for example, the various information transmitted and received between the electronic device 110 and the user terminal 120 via a network can be various information transmitted and received between the components within a single device.

[0063] The electronic devices of various embodiments of the present invention (e.g., electronic device 110) can be devices of various forms. For example, electronic device 110 can be a portable communication device, a computer device, a portable multimedia device, a wearable device, a home appliance device, or a device corresponding to one or more of the devices described above. The electronic device 110 of the present invention is not limited to the devices described above.

[0064] Figure 2 is a block diagram of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0065] Electronic device 200 can process information for e-commerce services. In one embodiment, electronic device 200 may include one or more processors 210, one or more memory units 220, and a communication interface 230 as constituent elements. In one embodiment, at least one of the constituent elements of electronic device 200 may be omitted, or other constituent elements may be added to electronic device 200. In one embodiment, some constituent elements may be additionally or alternatively integrated to achieve, or implemented as a single or multiple entities. In this invention, one or more processors 210 may be referred to as processor 210. Unless otherwise explicitly stated herein, the term processor 210 may refer to a collection of one or more processors. In this invention, one or more memory units 220 may be referred to as memory units 220. Unless otherwise explicitly stated herein, the term memory units 220 may refer to a collection of one or more memory units. In one embodiment, at least some of the components inside / outside the electronic device 200 can be interconnected via buses, GPIO (General Purpose Input / Output), SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface), or MIPI (Mobile Industry Processor Interface) to send and receive information (data, signals, etc.).

[0066] The communication interface 230 can communicate with the user's terminal and external devices. The communication interface 230 can enable wireless or wired communication between the electronic device 200 and the terminal. For example, the communication interface 230 can implement wireless communication through methods such as eMBB (enhanced Mobile Broadband), URLLC (Ultra Reliable Low-Latency Communications), MMTC (Massive Machine Type Communications), LTE (Long-Term Evolution), LTE-A (LTE Advance), NR (New Radio), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), GSM (Global System for Mobile communications), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), WCDMA (Wideband CDMA), WiBro (Wireless Broadband), WiFi (Wireless Fidelity), Bluetooth, NFC (Near Field Communication), GPS (Global Positioning System), or GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System). For example, the communication interface 230 can implement wired communication via USB (Universal Serial Bus), HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface), RS-232 (Recommended Standard-232), or POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service). In one embodiment, the electronic device 200 can also be integrated with other devices. In this case, the communication interface 230 can function as a connection circuit or interface connecting the electronic device 200 to the other device.

[0067] The processor 210 can drive software (e.g., commands, programs, etc.) to control at least one component of the electronic device 200 connected to the processor 210. Furthermore, the processor 210 can perform various actions related to the present invention, such as calculation, processing, data generation, and manipulation. The processor 210 can also load data from or store data in the memory 220. Moreover, the processor 210 can send and receive various information with the user's terminal and external devices via the communication interface 230. In one embodiment, the processor 210 can control the communication interface 230 to send various information, such as page information, to the user's terminal.

[0068] Memory 220 can store various information (data). The information stored in memory 220 is information obtained, processed, or used by at least one component of electronic device 200, and may include software (e.g., commands, programs, etc.). Memory 220 may include volatile and / or non-volatile memory. In this invention, commands or programs are software stored in memory 220, and may include operating systems for controlling the resources of electronic device 200, applications, and / or middleware that provides various functions to applications so that applications can use the resources of electronic device 200. In one embodiment, memory 220 may store commands, which cause processor 210 to perform operations when executed by processor 210. Memory 220 may store at least a portion of information received from a terminal via communication interface 230 and / or information sent to a terminal via communication interface 230. The processor 210 may store at least a portion of the information received from the terminal via the communication interface 230 and / or the information sent to the terminal via the communication interface 230 in the memory 220.

[0069] Processor 210 can output a first page including a cushioning material list. The first page may be, for example, a cushioning material management page. The cushioning material list may refer to a list of one or more cushioning materials that can be packaged together with various goods offered in the e-commerce service. According to one embodiment, the cushioning material list may include information on one or more cushioning materials used to package goods during the delivery process in the e-commerce service. According to one embodiment, the cushioning material list may include at least one of the following information for each cushioning material: a cushioning material code, name, display name, unit, and the information update time of that cushioning material. The cushioning material code is a unique code used to identify each cushioning material. The name of the cushioning material may, for example, refer to the name of the cushioning material confirmed in a management page used to manage the e-commerce service on the server. In contrast, the display name of the cushioning material may, for example, refer to the name displayed when the cushioning material is displayed on the operator's terminal. The unit refers to the unit used to count the cushioning material. The update time refers to the time when the information of the cushioning material is updated to the cushioning material list.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the first page may include a button for adding new cushioning material to the cushioning material list. For example, the processor 210 may further display a cushioning material addition button on one side of the first page. Based on user input to the cushioning material addition button, the processor 210 may output a page (e.g., modal) that allows input of information about new cushioning material not included in the cushioning material list. For example, the processor 210 may provide a screen for inputting the code, name, display name, and unit of new cushioning material, and may add new cushioning material to the cushioning material list based on user input to that screen.

[0071] According to one embodiment, the buffer material list may further include an information correction button that can correct information about each buffer material included in the buffer material list. The processor 210 may output a page (e.g., modal) showing the information about the buffer material that can be corrected based on user input to the correction button. For example, the processor 210 may provide a screen showing the name, display name, and unit of the first buffer material that can be corrected based on user input to the correction button for the first buffer material. According to one embodiment, the screen output based on user input to the correction button may have a similar configuration to the screen output based on user input to the buffer material addition button. According to one embodiment, the code for each buffer material may be an item that is initially assigned to each buffer material and cannot be corrected thereafter.

[0072] According to one embodiment, the cushioning material list may further include a cushioning material activation button that can determine whether to activate each cushioning material included in the cushioning material list. According to one embodiment, the cushioning material activation button may be a dual-state touch switch. The processor 210 may activate or deactivate the cushioning material based on user input to the cushioning material activation button. For example, the processor 210 may deactivate the cushioning material based on user input to the activation button of an activated cushioning material, and activate the cushioning material based on user input to the activation button of a deactivated cushioning material. Activated cushioning materials may be included in a cushioning material group, and deactivated cushioning materials may not be included in a cushioning material group. According to one embodiment, for cushioning materials included in more than one cushioning material group, it may not be possible to change from activated to deactivated. That is, deactivated cushioning materials may be limited to those not currently included in any cushioning material group. This is because cushioning materials included in more than one cushioning material group must be used in product packaging.

[0073] According to one embodiment, the first page may further include an interface for retrieving cushioning materials included in the cushioning material list. For example, the first page may further include a search box for entering the code of the cushioning material to be retrieved and / or any information related to the cushioning material, and a button for determining whether the cushioning material to be retrieved is active. The processor 210 can obtain search criteria based on user input and can retrieve cushioning materials that meet the search criteria from among the plurality of cushioning materials included in the cushioning material list.

[0074] Processor 210 can generate a second page including a cushioning material group list. The second page could be, for example, a cushioning material group management page. A cushioning material group is a collection of one or more cushioning materials, generated to efficiently package goods offered in e-commerce services. Processor 210 can group cushioning materials frequently used in packaging goods into a single cushioning material group. For example, it can generate a cushioning material group for goods containing glass materials (e.g., air cushions, bubble wrap), which can then be used in subsequent packaging of other goods containing glass materials. A cushioning material group list refers to a list of one or more cushioning material groups. According to one embodiment, the cushioning material group list may include at least one of the following: a cushioning material group code corresponding to each cushioning material group, a name, the cushioning materials included in each cushioning material group, and the time when the information for updating the cushioning material group was updated. The cushioning material group code is a unique code used to identify each cushioning material group.

[0075] According to one embodiment, the second page may include a button for adding a new cushioning pack to the cushioning pack list. For example, the processor 210 may further display a cushioning pack addition button on one side of the second page. Based on user input to the cushioning pack addition button, the processor 210 may output a page (e.g., modal) where information about new cushioning packs not included in the cushioning pack list can be entered. For example, the processor 210 may provide a screen where the code, name, types, and number of cushioning materials included in the new cushioning pack can be entered, and new cushioning packs can be added to the cushioning pack list based on user input to that screen.

[0076] According to one embodiment, the buffer group list may further include an information correction button that allows modification of information about each buffer group included in the buffer group list. The processor 210 may output a page (e.g., modal) that modifies the information about the buffer groups based on user input to the correction button. For example, the processor 210 may provide a screen that modifies the name of the first buffer group and the number and type of buffers included in the first buffer group based on user input to the correction button for the first buffer group. According to one embodiment, the screen output based on user input to the correction button may have a similar structure to the screen output based on user input to the add buffer group button. According to one embodiment, the code for each buffer group may be an item that is initially assigned to each buffer group and cannot be modified thereafter.

[0077] According to one embodiment, the buffer group list may further include a buffer group activation button that can determine whether to activate each buffer group included in the buffer group list. According to one embodiment, the buffer group activation button may be a dual-state touch switch. The processor 210 may activate or deactivate the buffer group based on user input to the buffer group activation button. For example, the processor 210 may deactivate the buffer group based on user input to the activation button of an activated buffer group, and may activate the buffer group based on user input to the activation button of a deactivated buffer group. Activated buffer groups may be mapped to inventory units and / or categories of goods offered in the e-commerce service, while deactivated buffer groups may not be mapped to inventory units and / or categories of goods. According to one embodiment, buffer groups mapped to inventory units and / or categories of more than one good may not change from activated to deactivated. That is, deactivated buffer groups may be limited to buffer groups that are not mapped to the inventory units and / or categories of any current good.

[0078] According to one embodiment, the second page may further include an interface for retrieving buffer groups included in the buffer group list. For example, the second page may further include a search box for entering the code of the buffer group to be retrieved and / or any information related to the buffer group, and a button for determining whether the buffer group to be retrieved is active. The processor 210 can obtain search criteria based on user input and retrieve buffer groups from the plurality of buffer groups included in the buffer group list that meet the search criteria.

[0079] Processor 210 can generate a third page including an interface for mapping buffer groups to product categories. The third page could be, for example, a category management page. Product categories are systems used to classify products offered in e-commerce services. Each product category can be determined based on various criteria such as the nature, characteristics, uses, and consumer groups of the product. According to one embodiment, each category can be further subdivided into subcategories, and a parent category can be subdivided into more than one subcategory. For example, the subcategories of the "Fresh Food" category could include "Dairy Products," "Vegetables and Vegetables," and "Meat." Hereinafter, the parent category of all categories is the base category (e.g., "HOME"), and the number of parent categories a category has is called the "depth" of that category. For example, in a category chain of "HOME" > "Fresh Food" > "Dairy Products" > "Milk" > "Strawberry Milk" > "Strawberry Milk 500 ml", the depth of the "Fresh Food" category is 1, the depth of the "Dairy Products" category is 2, the depth of the "Milk" category is 3, the depth of the "Strawberry Milk" category is 4, and the depth of the "Strawberry Milk 500 ml" category is 5. In one embodiment, the depth of "HOME", as the basic category, can be set to 0. All goods offered in e-commerce services can be categorized according to categories, and even a single product can be included in categories of different depths. For example, the product included in the "Strawberry Milk 500 ml" category can be included in the "Milk" category, the "Dairy Products" category, and the "Fresh Food" category. The higher the category depth value, the lower the category, and the fewer products included in this category may be compared to categories with lower depth values.

[0080] According to one embodiment, the third page may include a category mapping list representing the mapping relationship between product categories and buffer groups. The category mapping list may include information about categories of buffer groups that are mapped to various categories used to categorize products in e-commerce services. For example, the category mapping list may include the category ID, name, depth, parent category ID, and information about the buffer groups mapped to that category. A category not included in the category mapping list may indicate that the category is not mapped to any buffer.

[0081] According to one embodiment, the third page may include a button for adding a new category to the category mapping list. For example, the processor 210 may further display a category addition button on one side of the third page for adding mapping relationships between categories and cushioning groups. The processor 210 may output a page (e.g., modal) based on user input to the category addition button, allowing input of information about new category-cushion mapping relationships not included in the category mapping list. For example, the processor 210 may provide a screen for inputting the ID of a new category and the cushioning group to be mapped to that category, and may add a new category to the category mapping list based on user input to that screen. According to one embodiment, at most one cushioning group can be mapped to one category, and more than two cushioning groups cannot be mapped. However, one cushioning group can be mapped to multiple categories, and items in all categories can be mapped to one cushioning group respectively.

[0082] According to one embodiment, processor 210 can determine buffer sets corresponding to categories not included in the category mapping list. For example, processor 210 can use a machine learning algorithm to learn the characteristics of the goods included in the category, the mapping relationship between categories previously included in the category mapping list and buffer sets, and recommend buffer sets corresponding to categories not included in the category mapping list. According to one embodiment, the machine learning algorithm can take a plurality of goods provided in an e-commerce service as input data, and for each of the plurality of goods, learn buffer sets mapped to each of one or more product categories that include the goods as output data.

[0083] According to one embodiment, the category mapping list may further include a correction button that can correct the mapping relationship between each category included in the category mapping list and the buffer group. The processor 210 may output a page (e.g., a modal) that corrects the mapping of the buffer group to that category based on user input to the correction button. For example, the processor 210 may provide a screen that corrects the mapping of the buffer group to the first category based on user input to the correction button for the first category. According to one embodiment, the screen that can be output based on user input to the correction button may have a similar structure to the screen that can be output based on user input to the category addition button.

[0084] According to one embodiment, the category mapping list may further include a delete button for deleting categories selected from the category mapping list. The processor 210 may delete the category from the category mapping list based on user input to the delete button. Categories deleted from the category mapping list may be determined to have automatically lost their mapping relationship with the buffer assembly.

[0085] According to one embodiment, the third page may further include an interface for retrieving product categories and buffer groups mapped to each category. For example, the third page may further include a search box for entering the ID, name, and depth of the product category to be searched, a button for selecting the buffer group to be searched, and a search button. The processor 210 can obtain search criteria based on user input and can search for categories that match the search criteria from one or more categories included in the category mapping list.

[0086] According to one embodiment, the third page may further include an upload button for uploading data indicating the mapping relationship between categories and buffer groups, and a download button for downloading data of the category mapping list. Based on user input to the upload button, the processor 210 obtains the data indicating the mapping relationship between categories and buffer groups from an external device, thereby updating the category mapping list. The uploaded data may include, for example, the category identifier, name, and information about the code and name of the buffer group mapped to that category. Conversely, based on user input to the download button, the processor 210 may transmit the mapping relationship between categories and buffer groups included in the category mapping list to the external device.

[0087] Processor 210 may generate a fourth page including an interface for mapping cushioning material groups to stock keeping units (SKUs) of goods. The fourth page may be, for example, an SKU management page. An SKU is a category unit of goods provided in e-commerce services, and each goods may have a unique SKU. The fourth page may further include an inventory unit mapping list representing the mapping relationship between inventory units and cushioning material groups. The inventory unit mapping list may include at least one of the following: inventory unit ID, the cushioning material group corresponding to each inventory unit, and information on the time when the information of each inventory unit was updated. According to one embodiment, the inventory unit mapping list represents information on inventory units of various inventory units that have mapped cushioning material groups; inventory units of cushioning material groups that do not have mapped groups may not be displayed in the inventory unit mapping list.

[0088] According to one embodiment, the fourth page may include a button for adding new inventory units to the inventory unit mapping list. For example, the processor 210 may further display an inventory unit addition button on one side of the fourth page for adding mapping relationships between inventory units and cushioning groups. Based on user input to the inventory unit addition button, the processor 210 may output a page (e.g., modal) where information about new inventory unit and cushioning group mapping relationships not included in the inventory unit mapping list can be entered. For example, the processor 210 may provide a screen where the ID of a new inventory unit and the cushioning group to be mapped to that inventory unit can be entered, and new mapping relationships between inventory units and cushioning groups can be added to the inventory unit mapping list based on user input to that screen. According to one embodiment, at most one cushioning group can be mapped to one inventory unit, and more than two cushioning groups cannot be mapped. However, one cushioning group can be mapped to multiple inventory units, and the items of all inventory units can be mapped to one cushioning group respectively.

[0089] According to one embodiment, processor 210 can determine a buffer material set corresponding to an inventory unit not included in the inventory unit mapping list. For example, processor 210 can use machine learning to learn the characteristics of a particular inventory unit, the mapping relationship between inventory units included in a previous inventory unit mapping list and buffer material sets, and recommend a buffer material set corresponding to that inventory unit.

[0090] According to one embodiment, the inventory unit mapping list may further include a correction button that can modify the mapping relationship between each inventory unit included in the inventory unit mapping list and the buffer material group. The processor 210 may output a page (e.g., a modal) that can modify the buffer material group mapped to the inventory unit based on user input to the correction button. According to one embodiment, the screen output based on user input to the correction button may have a similar configuration to the screen output based on user input to the inventory unit addition button.

[0091] According to one embodiment, the inventory unit mapping list may further include a delete button for deleting inventory units selected from the inventory unit mapping list. The processor 210 may delete the inventory unit from the inventory unit mapping list based on user input to the delete button. Inventory units deleted from the inventory unit mapping list may be determined to have automatically lost their mapping relationship with the cushioning assembly.

[0092] According to one embodiment, the fourth page may further include an interface for retrieving inventory units of a product and buffer groups mapped to each inventory unit. For example, the fourth page may further include a search box and a search button for entering the ID of the inventory unit of the product to be retrieved. The processor 210 can obtain search criteria based on user input and can retrieve inventory units from one or more inventory units included in the inventory unit mapping list that meet the search criteria.

[0093] According to one embodiment, processor 210 can determine the cushioning material used for packaging each product. A product may correspond to multiple categories and inventory units; therefore, processor 210 needs to determine which cushioning material group among those mapped to each category and inventory unit should be used when packaging the product. Processor 210 assigns a higher priority to cushioning material groups mapped to deeper categories, with the highest priority given to cushioning material groups mapped to inventory units. For example, if the first product includes a first category with depth 1 mapped to the first cushioning material group, a second category with depth 2 mapped to the second cushioning material group, and a third category with depth 3 mapped to the third cushioning material group, and includes inventory units of the first product mapped to the fourth cushioning material group, the priority of the cushioning material group corresponding to the first product can be determined in the order of fourth cushioning material group > third cushioning material group > second cushioning material group > first cushioning material group.

[0094] The processor 210 can manage cushioning materials and cushioning material groups via pages 1 to 4 as described above, and manage the mapping relationship between the categories and inventory units of goods provided in the e-commerce service and the cushioning material groups. The following describes an embodiment of displaying suitable cushioning materials for goods during packaging operations at the operator's terminal.

[0095] Processor 210 may generate a fifth page including guidance messages for the packaging operation. According to one embodiment, the fifth page may be output to an operator terminal confirmed by the operator performing the packaging operation, and may further include a description of cushioning material information displayed on the merchandise card and example images of the cushioning material. The merchandise card may correspond to one or more products that are the objects of the packaging operation, and may include at least one of the product's image, name, code, inventory, and cushioning material information. According to one embodiment, the fifth page may further include a start button. Processor 210 may provide a sixth page based on user input to the start button output on the operator terminal, the sixth page providing information about the packaging operation.

[0096] According to one embodiment, the sixth page may include the location where the packaging operation is performed and a product card corresponding to the product to be packaged. According to one embodiment, each product card may include information about the cushioning material used when packaging the product. The processor 210 can determine whether a cushioning material group mapped to a product exists, and when a cushioning material group mapped to a product is confirmed to exist, it can display information about the cushioning materials included in that cushioning material group on the product card. For example, when the first cushioning material group is mapped to the first product, the processor 210 can display one or more cushioning materials included in the first cushioning material group on the product card. When the cushioning material group mapped to a product includes multiple cushioning materials, all of the multiple cushioning materials can be displayed on the product card corresponding to that product. According to one embodiment, the cushioning materials displayed on the product card can be displayed in a manner corresponding to the packaging order of the products. For example, in cases where a first cushioning material is used first and then a second cushioning material is used during product packaging (e.g., where the product is packaged using the first cushioning material and then repackaged using the second cushioning material), the processor 210 can display the product card in such a way that the product image is sequentially surrounded by the layer corresponding to the first cushioning material and the layer corresponding to the second cushioning material. According to one embodiment, when no cushioning material is used in the product packaging process, a statement indicating that no cushioning material was used can be output to the product card.

[0097] Figures 3 to 10 illustrate embodiments of pages 1 to 4 generated by an electronic device. Hereinafter, for ease of explanation, it will be described that pages 1 to 4 are output by an electronic device serving as a management server for business services, but this is not a limitation to this embodiment. It should be understood that pages 1 to 4 can be output by various devices (e.g., user terminal 120, operator terminal 130, or other external devices).

[0098] Figure 3 shows an example of the first page of one embodiment of the present invention.

[0099] Referring to Figure 3, page 1 300 may include information on one or more cushioning materials used in the packaging of goods in e-commerce services. For example, page 1 300 may be a cushioning material management page. The processor may obtain information on a plurality of cushioning materials based on user input. The processor may generate a cushioning material list 310 based on the obtained information on the plurality of cushioning materials. Referring to Figure 3, the cushioning material list 310 may include a first cushioning material 312, a second cushioning material 314, a third cushioning material 316, and a fourth cushioning material 318. The cushioning material list 310 may further display information on the ID, code, name (e.g., air bubble, air cell, OPUS), display name (e.g., bubble, bubble film OPUS film), unit (e.g., layer, unit), and update time of each cushioning material 312, 314, 316, 318, and may further include a correction button for correcting the information of each cushioning material and an activation button for activating or disabling each cushioning material.

[0100] According to one embodiment, the processor can modify information about each buffer 312, 314, 316, 318 included in the buffer list 310 based on user input to the correction button. For example, the processor can output a page for managing buffer information based on user input to the correction button, and can modify at least one of the buffer's name, display name, and unit based on user input to that page.

[0101] According to one embodiment, the processor can determine whether to activate each of the buffers 312, 314, 316, and 318 based on user input to the activation button. Activated buffers may be included in the buffer group, and disabled buffers may not be included in the buffer group. Referring to FIG3, the first buffer 312, the second buffer 314, and the third buffer 316 may be activated, and the fourth buffer 318 may be disabled. Therefore, the first buffer 312, the second buffer 314, and the third buffer 316 may be included in the buffer group, and the fourth buffer 318 may not be included in the buffer group. The processor can disable an activated buffer based on user input to the activation button of an activated buffer, and can activate a disabled buffer based on user input to the activation button of an activated buffer.

[0102] According to one embodiment, the processor can add information about new buffer material to the buffer material list 310 based on user input to the add button 320. The processor can also output a page (e.g., modal) where information about new buffer material can be input based on user input to the add button 320. The processor can obtain, for example, the code, name, display name, and unit of the new buffer material based on user input to that page. According to one embodiment, the page output based on user input to the add button 320 can be the same page as the page output based on user input to the correct button.

[0103] According to one embodiment, the processor can receive search criteria based on user input and retrieve the buffer material corresponding to the search criteria. The first page 300 may further include a box 330 for inputting codes for the buffer material, a button 340 for determining whether to activate, and a search button 350. According to one embodiment, the first page 300 may further include an initialization button 360. The processor can initialize the search criteria based on user input to the initialization button 360.

[0104] Figure 4 shows a page for managing information about cushioning materials according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0105] Referring to Figure 4, the processor can output a page for managing cushioning information based on user input regarding the "correct" button or "add" button included in the cushioning material list on page 1. The page for managing cushioning material information may include boxes for changing code 410, name 420, display name 430, and unit 440. The processor can manage cushioning material information based on user input. For example, new cushioning material can be added to the cushioning material list, or information about previously included cushioning material can be corrected.

[0106] Figure 5 shows an example of the second page of one embodiment of the present invention.

[0107] Referring to Figure 5, page 2 500 may include information on cushioning material groups used in the packaging of goods in e-commerce services. For example, page 2 500 may be a cushioning material group management page. The processor may generate a cushioning material group that includes at least a portion of a plurality of cushioning materials, and may generate a cushioning material group list 510 that includes information on the generated cushioning material groups. Referring to Figure 5, the cushioning material group list 510 may include a first cushioning material group 512, a second cushioning material group 514, a third cushioning material group 516, and a fourth cushioning material group 518. The cushioning material group list 510 may further display the ID, code, name (e.g., fragile, super fragile, ultra fragile) of each cushioning material group 512, 514, 516, 518, as well as information on the type and quantity of cushioning materials included in each cushioning material group, and may further include a correction button for correcting the information of each cushioning material group and an activation button for activating or disabling each cushioning material group.

[0108] For example, the buffer material included in the first buffer material group can be displayed as "first buffer material (1)", which means that the first buffer material group includes one first buffer material. The second buffer material group can be displayed as "first buffer material (1) / second buffer material (1)", which means that the second buffer material group includes one first buffer material and one second buffer material.

[0109] According to one embodiment, the processor can modify the information of each buffer group 512, 514, 516, 518 included in the buffer group list 510 based on user input to the correction button. For example, the processor can output a page for managing information of the buffer groups based on user input to the correction button, and can modify at least one of the name of the buffer group and the type and number of buffer materials included in the buffer group based on user input to the page.

[0110] According to one embodiment, the processor can determine whether to activate each buffer group 512, 514, 516, 518 based on user input to the activation button. Activated buffer groups can be mapped to product categories and / or inventory units, while disabled buffer groups may not be mapped to product categories and / or inventory units. Referring to Figure 5, the first buffer group 512, the second buffer group 514, and the third buffer group 516 can be activated, while the fourth buffer group 518 is disabled. Therefore, the first buffer group 512, the second buffer group 514, and the third buffer group 516 can be mapped to product categories and / or inventory units, while the fourth buffer group 518 may not be mapped to product categories and / or inventory units. The processor can disable an activated buffer group based on user input to the activation button of an activated buffer group, and can activate a disabled buffer group based on user input to the activation button of an activated buffer group.

[0111] According to one embodiment, the processor can add a new buffer group to the buffer group list 510 based on user input to the add button 520. The processor can output a page (e.g., modal) containing information about the new buffer group based on user input to the add button 520. The processor can obtain, for example, the code, name, and types and quantities of buffer materials included in the new buffer group based on user input to that page. According to one embodiment, the page output based on user input to the add button 520 can be the same page as the page output based on user input to the correct button.

[0112] According to one embodiment, the processor can receive search criteria based on user input and retrieve the buffer group corresponding to the search criteria. The second page 500 may further include a box 530 for inputting a code for the buffer group, a button 540 for determining whether the buffer group is active, and a search button 550. According to one embodiment, the second page 500 may further include an initialization button 560. The processor can initialize the search criteria for the buffer group based on user input to the initialization button 560.

[0113] Figure 6 shows a page for managing information about the cushioning material assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0114] Referring to Figure 6, the processor can output a page for managing information about cushioning groups based on user input via the "Modify" button or the "Add" button included in the cushioning group list on the second page. The page for managing cushioning group information may include boxes 630 for entering the cushioning group code 610, name 620, and the types and quantities of cushioning materials included in the cushioning group. The processor can manage the information about cushioning groups based on user input. For example, a new cushioning group can be added to the cushioning group list, or information about a previously included cushioning group can be modified.

[0115] Figure 7 shows an example of page 3 of one embodiment of the present invention.

[0116] According to one embodiment, page 700 is a page for managing the mapping relationship between product categories and cushioning material groups. For example, page 700 may be a category management page. Page 700 may include a category mapping list 710 representing the mapping relationship between product categories and cushioning material groups. Products provided in e-commerce services may include more than one category, and the category mapping list 710 may include information about categories within one or more categories that have a mapping relationship with cushioning material groups. For example, the category mapping list 710 may include at least one of the following: category ID, name, depth, parent category ID, and the name of the cushioning material group mapped to the category.

[0117] For example, referring to Figure 7, Category 1 711 can be mapped to the first cushioning material group, Category 2 712 to the first cushioning material group, Category 3 713 to the second cushioning material group, Category 4 714 to the third cushioning material group, Category 5 715 to the third cushioning material group, and Category 6 716 to the fourth cushioning material group. Even different categories can be mapped to the same cushioning material group, indicating that even goods included in different categories use the same cushioning material in the packaging process. For example, more than one cushioning material included in the first cushioning material group can be used in the packaging process of goods in Category 1 711 and goods in Category 2 712, and more than one cushioning material included in the third cushioning material group can be used in the packaging process of goods in Category 4 714 and goods in Category 5 715. Category mapping list 710 can represent the mapping relationship between categories and cushioning material groups as described above.

[0118] According to one embodiment, the category mapping list 710 may further include an information correction button that can correct the information of each buffer group included in the category mapping list 710. The processor can output a page (e.g., modal) that can correct the mapping relationship between categories and buffer groups based on user input to the correction button. For example, the processor can provide a screen that can change the buffer group mapped to the first category 711 based on user input to the correction button of the first category 711 mapped to the first buffer group.

[0119] According to one embodiment, the category mapping list 71 may further include a delete button that can delete the mapping relationship between categories included in the category mapping list 710 and the buffer material group. The processor can delete the category included in the category mapping list 710 based on user input to the delete button. The processor can determine that for the category deleted from the category mapping list 710, the mapping relationship between the category and the buffer material group is released.

[0120] According to one embodiment, the third page 700 may further include an interface for retrieving categories included in the category mapping list 710. For example, the third page 700 may further include search boxes 720, 722, and 724 for inputting the ID, name, and depth of the category to be retrieved; a button 726 for determining the mapping to the category to be retrieved; and a search button 730 for retrieving categories that match the search criteria. The processor can obtain search criteria based on user input and retrieve categories that match the search criteria from among the plurality of categories included in the category mapping list 710.

[0121] According to one embodiment, the third page 700 may include a button 740 for adding new categories to the category mapping list 710. For example, the processor may further display a category addition button 740 on one side of the third page 700 for adding mapping relationships between categories and buffer groups. Based on user input to the category addition button 740, the processor may output a page (e.g., modal) that allows input of information about new category-buffer group mapping relationships not included in the category mapping list 710. For example, the processor may provide a screen where users can input the ID of a new category and the buffer group to be mapped to that category, and new categories may be added to the category mapping list 710 based on user input to that screen. According to one embodiment, a maximum of one buffer group can be mapped to one category, and more than two buffer groups cannot be mapped.

[0122] According to one embodiment, the processor can determine buffer sets corresponding to categories not included in the category mapping list 710. For example, the processor can use a machine learning algorithm to learn the characteristics of the goods included in the category, the mapping relationship between the categories included in the previous category mapping list 710 and the buffer sets, and recommend buffer sets corresponding to categories not included in the category mapping list 710. According to one embodiment, the machine learning algorithm can learn by taking a plurality of product categories provided in the e-commerce service as input data and taking the buffer sets mapped to each of the plurality of product categories as output data.

[0123] For example, a machine learning algorithm can learn by using the "Home Improvement" category as input and the second buffer material group as output, and the "Infant Food" category as input and the third buffer material group as output. Then, when inputting products from the "Lighting Fixtures" category, the algorithm can determine their similarity to the "Home Improvement" category and map the second buffer material group to the "Lighting Fixtures" category. Similarly, when inputting products from the "Infant Formula" category, the algorithm can determine their similarity to the "Infant Food" category and map the third buffer material group to the "Infant Formula" category.

[0124] According to one embodiment, page 700 may further include an upload button 750 and a download button 760 for uploading and downloading data representing the mapping relationship between categories and buffer groups. For example, the processor can obtain data representing the mapping relationship between categories and buffer groups from an external device based on user input to the upload button 750. The processor can update the category mapping list based on the obtained data and can easily input information for multiple categories at once. The processor can transmit data representing the mapping relationship between categories included in the category mapping list and buffer groups to an external device based on user input to the download button 760.

[0125] Figure 8 shows a buffer material selection page for retrieving categories according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0126] The processor can output a buffer selection page 800 based on user input of a button that determines the buffer group mapped to the category to be retrieved. The buffer selection page 800 provides an interface for selecting the ID 810 of the category to be retrieved and the buffer group 820 mapped to that category based on user input.

[0127] Figure 9 shows an example of page 4 of one embodiment of the present invention.

[0128] According to one embodiment, page 4 900 is a page for managing the mapping relationship between inventory units and cushioning material groups of goods. For example, page 4 900 may be an inventory unit management page. Page 4 900 may include an inventory unit mapping list 910 representing the mapping relationship between inventory units and cushioning material groups of goods. Each product provided in the e-commerce service can be assigned a unique inventory unit number, and the inventory unit mapping list 910 may include information on inventory units with cushioning material groups and mapping relationships set in one or more inventory units. For example, the inventory unit mapping list 910 may include at least one of the following: the ID of the inventory unit, the name of the cushioning material group mapped to the inventory unit, and the update time.

[0129] For example, referring to Figure 9, the first inventory unit 911 can be mapped to the first cushioning group, the second inventory unit 912 to the second cushioning group, the third inventory unit 913 to the third cushioning group, the fourth inventory unit 914 to the fourth cushioning group, and the fifth inventory unit 915 to the fifth cushioning group. The inventory unit mapping list 910 can represent the mapping relationship between the inventory units and cushioning groups as described above.

[0130] According to one embodiment, page 4 900 may further include an interface for retrieving inventory units included in inventory unit mapping list 910. For example, page 4 900 may further include a search box 920 for entering the ID of the inventory unit to be retrieved and a search button 930 for retrieving inventory units that meet the search criteria. The processor can obtain search criteria based on user input and can retrieve inventory units that meet the search criteria from among the plurality of inventory units included in inventory unit mapping list 910.

[0131] According to one embodiment, page 4 900 may include an add button 940 for adding new inventory units to the inventory unit mapping list 910. For example, the processor may further display the inventory unit add button 940 for adding mapping relationships between inventory units and cushioning groups on one side of page 4 900. Based on user input to the inventory unit add button 940, the processor may output a page (e.g., modal) that allows input of information on new inventory unit and cushioning group mapping relationships not included in the inventory unit mapping list 910. For example, the processor may provide a screen for inputting the ID of a new inventory unit and the cushioning group to be mapped to that inventory unit, and add a new inventory unit to the inventory unit mapping list 910 based on user input to that screen. According to one embodiment, a maximum of one cushioning group can be mapped to one inventory unit, and more than two cushioning groups cannot be mapped.

[0132] According to one embodiment, the processor can determine a buffer material group corresponding to an inventory unit not included in the inventory unit mapping list 910. For example, the processor can use a machine learning algorithm to learn the characteristics of the goods included in the inventory unit, the mapping relationship between the inventory units included in the previous inventory unit mapping list 910 and the buffer material group, and can recommend a buffer material group corresponding to an inventory unit not included in the inventory unit mapping list 910. According to one embodiment, the machine learning algorithm can learn by taking the inventory units of a plurality of goods provided in an e-commerce service as input data and the buffer material group mapped to each of the inventory units of the plurality of goods as output data.

[0133] Figure 10 shows a page for adding inventory units to an inventory unit mapping list according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0134] The processor can output a page 1000 for adding inventory units based on user input via the "Add Inventory Unit" button. The page 1000 for adding inventory units may include an input field 1010 for entering inventory unit IDs and a button 1020 for selecting cushioning material groups. Based on user input via the input field 1010 and the button 1020, the processor can add the mapping relationship between inventory units and cushioning material groups to the inventory unit mapping list.

[0135] Based on the descriptions in Figures 3 to 10, the processor can determine cushioning material groups mapped to one or more product categories and / or inventory units. The processor can determine cushioning materials that can be used to package products based on the mapping relationship between product categories or inventory units and cushioning material groups. For example, when there are cushioning material groups mapped to product categories or inventory units, the processor can determine that one or more cushioning materials included in the mapped cushioning material groups will be used when packaging the product.

[0136] According to one embodiment, a product may include multiple categories, and cushioning material groups mapped to inventory units may exist separately from the categories; therefore, multiple cushioning material groups may exist corresponding to a product. In this case, the processor may determine the cushioning material group corresponding to the product based on the priority among the cushioning material groups. For example, if a product is mapped to a first cushioning material group and a second cushioning material group with a higher priority than the first cushioning material group, the processor may determine to use the cushioning material included in the second cushioning material group with the higher priority to package the product.

[0137] For example, it can be assumed that the case involves determining the cushioning material to be used in the packaging operation of a first item included in a first category mapped to a first cushioning material group, a second category mapped to a second cushioning material group, and a third category mapped to a third cushioning material group. The processor can determine the priority among the first, second, and third categories. According to one embodiment, the processor can determine the priority among the categories based on the number of items included in each of the first, second, and third categories. For example, if the first category includes 100 items, the second category includes 10 items, and the third category includes 5 items, the processor can determine that the third category has the highest priority. In this case, the processor can determine that the third cushioning material group mapped to the third category will be used in the packaging operation of the first item.

[0138] According to another embodiment, it is assumed that the second product may include a fourth category mapped to the fourth cushioning group, a fifth category mapped to the fifth cushioning group, and a sixth category mapped to the sixth cushioning group, and the seventh cushioning group is mapped to the inventory unit of the second product. The processor may determine that the cushioning group mapped to the inventory unit has a higher priority than the cushioning group mapped to the category. For example, the seventh cushioning group may be mapped to the inventory unit of the second product, so the processor may determine that the seventh cushioning group is used during the packaging operation of the second product.

[0139] The processor can determine the cushioning material group to be used in the packaging operation of each product using the method described above. The method of determining the cushioning material group for the packaging operation of the product is explained in detail in Figures 11 to 14 below.

[0140] Figures 11 to 14 relate to pages 5 and 6 generated by the electronic device. For ease of explanation, it will be described below that pages 5 and 6 are output from the terminal of the operator performing the packaging operation; however, it should be understood that this is not a limitation to this embodiment, and pages 5 and 6 can be output from various devices (e.g., electronic device 110, user terminal 120, or other external devices).

[0141] Figure 11 shows an example of page 5 of one embodiment of the present invention.

[0142] According to one embodiment, page 5 1100 can provide guidance for the packaging operation of goods. Referring to FIG11, page 5 1100 may include guidance message 1110, description of cushioning material information 1120, and description of cushioning material image 1130. The processor can generate page 5 1100 to convey the information required for the packaging operation to the operator performing the packaging operation. For example, guidance message 1110 may include a statement requesting confirmation of the contents of the cushioning material used to package the goods. Description of cushioning material information 1120 may include an explanation of the meaning of the cushioning material information included in the product card. The product card may be displayed on page 6 as a graphic object corresponding to each product, and may include cushioning material information for the cushioning material used to package the product corresponding to the product card. For example, referring to FIG11, the cushioning material information may be described as "bubble wrap / lid and pump / 1 layer", which means that the cushioning material used to package the product is bubble wrap, and the lid and pump of the product are packaged using 1 layer of bubble wrap. The description of cushioning material information included on page 5 (1100) 1120 can guide operators on how to interpret the cushioning material information recorded on the product card displayed on page 6. The description of the cushioning material images 1130 can be displayed together with the names and images of cushioning materials that can be used to package goods for operators' reference.

[0143] The processor may further include a button 1140 for starting a task on one side of the fifth page 1100, and may provide a sixth page based on user input to the button 1140.

[0144] The processor can output a product card, including information on cushioning materials used in the packaging of goods, on page 6. Figure 12 shows a portion 1200 of a product card according to one embodiment of the present invention. When cushioning materials are required when packaging goods, the processor can output a product card including a description 1210 of the required cushioning materials. Conversely, cushioning materials may not be required when packaging goods. Figure 13 shows a portion 1300 of a product card according to one embodiment of the present invention. When cushioning materials are not required when packaging goods, the processor can output a product card including a statement 1310 indicating that cushioning materials are not required when packaging goods.

[0145] Figure 14 shows an example of page 6 of one embodiment of the present invention.

[0146] According to one embodiment, page 6 1400 may provide information on cushioning materials used in packaging operations for goods. Referring to FIG14, page 6 1400 may include product cards 1410, 1420, 1430, 1440, 1450, 1460, and 1470 corresponding to each product to which the packaging operation is performed. The processor may determine a group of cushioning materials to be used in the packaging operation for goods and generate a product card including information on one or more cushioning materials included in the determined group of cushioning materials and an image of the product. According to one embodiment, the product card may include a layer corresponding to each cushioning material used for packaging the goods. For example, when a first cushioning material and a second cushioning material are used when packaging goods, the product card corresponding to the goods may include a first layer corresponding to the first cushioning material and a second layer corresponding to the second cushioning material. The layers may be rectangular in shape surrounding the product image and may include descriptive statements for the corresponding cushioning material. Referring to Figure 14, the product card 1410 may include a product image 1412, a first layer 1414 corresponding to the first cushioning material, and a second layer 1416 corresponding to the second cushioning material. The first layer 1414 is a rectangular shape surrounding the product image 1412 and may include a description of the corresponding first cushioning material ("bubble wrap / lid only / 1 layer"). The second layer 1416 is a rectangular shape surrounding the product image 1412 and the first layer, and may include a description of the corresponding second cushioning material ("OPUS film / entire / 1 layer"). According to one embodiment, the shape of each layer can indicate the order in which the cushioning materials are used when packaging the product. For example, in a product packaged first with the first cushioning material and then with the second cushioning material, the layer corresponding to the first cushioning material may be displayed as a shape surrounding the product image, and the layer corresponding to the second cushioning material may be displayed as a shape surrounding the layer corresponding to the first cushioning material.

[0147] Figure 15 is a sequence diagram of the recommended method for the cushioning material of a product according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0148] In action 1510, the electronic device can obtain information on multiple cushioning materials.

[0149] In action 1520, the electronic device may generate a plurality of cushioning material groups, including at least a portion of a plurality of cushioning materials.

[0150] In action 1530, the electronic device may map one of a plurality of buffer material groups to each of one or more product categories that include the target product.

[0151] In action 1540, the electronic device can identify the target cushioning group among a plurality of cushioning groups for the packaging operation of the target product.

[0152] In action 1550, the electronic device may generate a page that includes information about one or more cushioning materials included in the target cushioning material group.

[0153] The steps of the method or algorithm of the present invention are described in the sequence diagram shown in Figure 15. However, in addition to being performed sequentially, the steps may also be performed in any combination according to the present invention. This flowchart does not preclude variations or modifications to the method or algorithm, nor does it imply that any step is necessary or preferred. In one embodiment, at least some steps may be performed in parallel, repeatedly, or heuristically. In one embodiment, at least some steps may be omitted, or other steps may be added.

[0154] Various embodiments of the present invention can be implemented in software form on a machine-readable storage medium. The software can be any software used to implement the various embodiments of the present invention. The software can be deduced by a programmer skilled in the art based on the various embodiments of the present invention. For example, the software can be a program that includes machine-readable commands (e.g., code or code segments). The machine is a device capable of operating by commands invoked from the storage medium, such as a computer. In one embodiment, the machine can be an electronic device 200 of an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the processor of the machine executes the invoked command, thereby enabling the components of the machine to perform functions corresponding to the command. In one embodiment, the processor can be a processor 210 of an embodiment of the present invention. The storage medium can refer to all kinds of recording media containing stored data that can be read by a machine. Storage media may include, for example, ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage device, etc. In one embodiment, the storage medium can be memory 220. In one embodiment, the storage medium can also be implemented in the form of being distributed across computer systems connected to a network. Software is distributed across computer systems and executed. The storage medium can be a non-transitory storage medium. A non-transitory storage medium refers to a tangible medium that exists regardless of whether the data is stored semi-permanently or temporarily, and does not include transiently transmitted signals.

[0155] The technical concept of the present invention has been described above through various embodiments. However, the technical concept of the present invention includes various substitutions, variations, and modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art within which the present invention pertains. Furthermore, it should be understood that such substitutions, variations, and modifications may be included within the scope of the appended patent applications.

[0156] 110,200: Electronic devices 120: User Terminal 130: Operator Terminal 210: Processor 220: Memory 230: Communication Interface 300: Page 1 310: List of cushioning materials 312: First Buffer Material 314: Second cushioning material 316: Third cushioning material 318: Fourth Buffer Material 320, 520: Add button 330, 530, 630: Frame 340, 540, 726, 1020, 1140: Buttons 350, 550, 730, 930: Search buttons 360, 560: Initialization button 1400: Page 6 410, 610: Code 420,620: Name 430: Display Name 440: Unit 500: Page 2 510: List of cushioning materials 512: First Buffer Material Group 514: Second Buffer Material Group 516: Third Buffer Material Group 518: Fourth Buffer Material Group 700: Page 3 710: Category Mapping List 711: Category 1 712: Category 2 713: Category 3 714: Category 4 715: Category 5 716: Category 6 720,722,724,920: Search box 740: Category Addition Button 750: Upload button 760: Download button 800: Cushioning Material Selection Page 810: Category ID 820: Cushioning Material Assembly 900: Page 4 910: Inventory Unit Mapping List 911: First Inventory Unit 912: Second Inventory Unit 913: Third Inventory Unit 914: 4th Inventory Unit 915: 5th Inventory Unit 940: Inventory Unit Addition Button 1000: Page used to add inventory units 1010: Input box 1100: Page 5 1110: Guiding Message 1120: Explanation of information on cushioning materials 1130: Explanation of the image of the cushioning material 1200, 1300: Part of the merchandise card 1210: Description of required cushioning materials 1310: Statement 1410, 1420, 1430, 1440, 1450, 1460, 1470: Product cards 1412: Product Image 1414: Level 1 1416: Level 2 1510, 1520, 1530, 1540, 1550: Actions

Claims

1. A method for determining cushioning material for packaging goods, implemented via an electronic device, comprising the steps of: obtaining information on a plurality of cushioning materials; generating a plurality of cushioning material groups including at least a portion of the plurality of cushioning materials; mapping one of the plurality of cushioning material groups to each of one or more product categories including a target product; determining a target cushioning material group among the plurality of cushioning material groups to be used in the packaging operation of the target product; and generating a page including information on one or more cushioning materials included in the target cushioning material group, wherein the step of determining the target cushioning material group to be used in the packaging operation of the target product includes the step of: confirming a depth, wherein the depth is the number of parent categories of each of the one or more product categories including the target product; Determine the priority of each buffer material group mapped to each of the above-mentioned product categories, wherein the buffer material group mapped to the product category with greater depth is given higher priority; and determine the buffer material group with the highest priority among the buffer material groups mapped to each of the above-mentioned product categories as the target buffer material group.

2. The method of claim 1 further includes the steps of: mapping the inventory units of the target product to one of the plurality of cushioning material groups; and determining the target cushioning material group to be used for the packaging operation of the target product includes the steps of: determining the cushioning material group mapped to the inventory units of the target product as the target cushioning material group.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of generating the plurality of buffer material groups comprises the following steps: determining whether each of the plurality of buffer materials is activated; and generating a plurality of buffer material groups including at least a portion of the activated plurality of buffer materials.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of mapping one of the plurality of buffer groups to each of the product categories that include the target product comprises the following steps: determining whether each of the plurality of buffer groups is activated; and mapping one of the plurality of activated buffer groups to each of the product categories that include the target product.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of mapping one of the plurality of buffer material groups to each of the commodity categories that include the target commodity comprises the following steps: mapping one of the plurality of buffer material groups to each of the commodity categories that include the target commodity based on the mapping relationship between other commodity categories that have characteristics similar to the target commodity and the plurality of buffer material groups.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of mapping one of the plurality of buffer sets to each of the product categories including the target product includes the following steps: taking the plurality of products provided in the e-commerce service as input data, and using a machine learning algorithm on each of the plurality of products, the machine learning algorithm learning from the buffer sets mapped to each of the product categories including the product as output data.

7. The method of request item 1, wherein the information of the plurality of buffers includes at least one of the buffer code, name, display name, unit or update time.

8. The method of claim 1 further includes the following steps: outputting the above page to a display, the page including an image of the target product and a product card, the product card including information on the first and second cushioning materials included in the target cushioning material group.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the aforementioned product card indicates the order in which the first cushioning material and the second cushioning material are used when packaging the aforementioned target product.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the aforementioned product card further includes a first layer corresponding to the first cushioning material and a second layer corresponding to the second cushioning material, the first layer being displayed in the form of an image surrounding the target product, and the second layer being displayed in the form of surrounding the first layer.

11. The method of request item 1 further includes the following steps: generating a buffer material list including information on the plurality of buffer materials; and outputting a first page including the buffer material list.

12. The method of request item 1 further includes the following steps: generating a list of buffer material groups including information on the plurality of buffer material groups; and outputting a second page including the list of buffer material groups.

13. The method of claim 1 further includes the steps of: generating a category mapping list representing the mapping relationship between each of the above-mentioned target goods category and the above-mentioned plurality of buffer groups; and outputting a third page including the above-mentioned category mapping list.

14. The method of claim 1 further includes the steps of: generating an inventory unit mapping list representing the mapping relationship between the inventory units of the target product and the plurality of buffer material groups; and outputting a fourth page including the inventory unit mapping list.

15. An electronic device comprising: One or more processors; and one or more memory stores commands to be executed by the one or more processors; and the electronic device is configured such that, when the commands are executed by the one or more processors, the one or more processors perform a method as described in any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium that records commands, when executed by one or more processors, to cause the one or more processors to perform actions, wherein the commands are configured to cause the one or more processors to perform a method as described in any one of claims 1 to 14.

Images