Method and apparatus for determining bundle of orders for combined delivery

Abstract

A method by which an electronic apparatus determines a bundle of orders for combined delivery, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, comprises the steps of: identifying information regarding a plurality of orders; identifying a bundle set including a bundle of at least two orders from among the plurality of orders; identifying a plurality of routes including a route set corresponding to each bundle of the bundle set, wherein the route set includes routes identified on the basis of a pickup location and a drop-off location of each of at least two orders included in each bundle of the bundle set; identifying, from the plurality of routes, at least one route that satisfies a route level condition; and determining a bundle for combined delivery from one or more bundles corresponding to the at least one route.

Description

Method and device for determining bundles of orders for combined shipping

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method and apparatus for determining a bundle of orders for combined shipping.

[0002] As internet use becomes more widespread, the e-commerce market is expanding. Particularly in response to the spread of infectious diseases, the proportion of people visiting offline stores to purchase products is decreasing. Meanwhile, the proportion of people purchasing products through e-commerce using computers or smartphones or ordering food through food delivery services is rapidly increasing.

[0003] A delivery brokerage service can refer to a service that mediates transactions between customers who wish to purchase items (e.g., food, beverages, ingredients, goods, etc.) and sellers who wish to sell them. Once a transaction is completed, the delivery agent delivers the items from the seller's location to the customer's location. The delivery agent runs the delivery brokerage service application installed on the delivery agent's terminal, verifies multiple orders requiring delivery between the seller and the customer through the application, and selects one of the multiple orders to confirm the corresponding seller and customer locations. Once an order for delivery is selected, the delivery agent travels to the seller's location to pick up the item, then travels from the seller's location to the customer's location to drop off the item, thereby completing the delivery. The delivery agent can also earn rewards (e.g., commissions, points) for the delivery.

[0004] Meanwhile, delivery intermediary service providers can consider combined delivery, where multiple orders are assigned to a single delivery person. The delivery person then sequentially picks up items from multiple pickup locations for multiple orders, then sequentially drops off items at multiple drop-off locations for multiple orders. This combined delivery approach allows service providers to efficiently handle a high volume of orders when delivery person supply is insufficient compared to demand (e.g., during peak hours or inclement weather). It also allows customers to choose combined delivery, which is cheaper than single delivery, for food orders, saving on delivery costs. Furthermore, it allows delivery persons to perform multiple deliveries along similar routes simultaneously, increasing hourly revenue. However, arbitrarily merging multiple orders for combined delivery can actually reduce delivery efficiency compared to operating a single delivery, potentially negatively impacting the customer experience due to delayed deliveries. Therefore, it is necessary to consider various factors when deciding which orders to bundle for combined delivery.

[0005] Related prior art literature includes Republic of Korea Patent No. 10-2456359.

[0006] An embodiment of the present disclosure is proposed to solve the above-described problem, and the purpose is to identify a bundle set including bundles of at least two orders among a plurality of orders, identify a plurality of routes including a route set corresponding to each bundle of the bundle set, identify at least one route satisfying a route level condition from the plurality of routes, and determine a bundle for merged delivery from one or more bundles corresponding to at least one route.

[0007] The technical problems to be achieved in the present invention are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention belongs from the description below.

[0008] In order to achieve the above-described object, a method for determining a bundle of orders for combined delivery by an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is characterized by including the steps of: identifying information on a plurality of orders; identifying a bundle set including bundles of at least two orders among the plurality of orders; identifying a plurality of routes including a route set corresponding to each bundle of the bundle set, wherein the route set includes routes identified based on a pick-up location and a drop-off location of each of at least two orders included in each bundle of the bundle set; identifying at least one route satisfying a route level condition from the plurality of routes; and determining a bundle for combined delivery from one or more bundles corresponding to the at least one route.

[0009] In one embodiment, the step of identifying information about a plurality of orders further includes identifying a set of orders that satisfy an order level condition from the plurality of orders based on the information about the plurality of orders, and the step of identifying a set of bundles includes identifying a set of bundles that includes bundles of at least two orders from the set of orders, wherein the order level condition includes that the number of items associated with the orders is less than a threshold.

[0010] In one embodiment, the step of identifying a bundle set further comprises the step of identifying a first bundle subset satisfying a bundle-level condition from the bundle set based on information about a plurality of orders, and the step of identifying the plurality of routes comprises the step of identifying a plurality of routes including a set of routes corresponding to each bundle in the first bundle subset, wherein the first bundle in the first bundle subset includes a first order and a second order, and the step of identifying the first bundle subset comprises the steps of identifying a pickup location and a drop-off location of the first order, and a pickup location and a drop-off location of the second order; and the step of identifying a first straight-line distance between the pickup location of the first order and the pickup location of the second order, and a second straight-line distance between the drop-off location of the first order and the drop-off location of the second order, wherein the bundle-level condition comprises that the first straight-line distance and the second straight-line distance are less than a first threshold.

[0011] In one embodiment, the step of identifying a set of bundles further includes: identifying a first bundle subset satisfying a first bundle level condition from the set of bundles based on information about a plurality of orders; and identifying a second bundle subset satisfying a second bundle level condition from the first bundle subset based on information about the plurality of orders, wherein the step of identifying a plurality of routes includes identifying a plurality of routes including a set of routes corresponding to each bundle in the second bundle subset, wherein a first bundle in the set of bundles includes a first order and a second order, and the step of identifying the first bundle subset includes: identifying a pickup location and a drop-off location of the first order, and a pickup location and a drop-off location of the second order; And a step of checking a first straight-line distance between a pickup location of a first order and a pickup location of a second order, and a second straight-line distance between a drop-off location of the first order and a drop-off location of the second order, wherein the first bundle level condition includes that the first straight-line distance and the second straight-line distance are less than a first threshold, and the second bundle in the first bundle subset includes a third order and a fourth order, and the step of checking the second bundle subset includes a step of checking a pickup location and a drop-off location of the third order, and a pickup location and a drop-off location of the fourth order; and a step of checking a first route distance between a pickup location of the third order and a pickup location of the fourth order, and a second route distance between a drop-off location of the third order and a drop-off location of the fourth order, wherein the second bundle level condition includes that the first route distance and the second route distance are less than a second threshold.

[0012] In one embodiment, the step of identifying at least one route comprises: calculating a distance of each route in the route set corresponding to a first bundle in the bundle set; and identifying a first route in the route set having a shortest distance, wherein the route level condition comprises that at least one route does not include a route in the route set whose distance difference from the first route exceeds a threshold.

[0013] In one embodiment, the step of identifying at least one route comprises: identifying an order associated with a single shipment in a first bundle within a set of bundles; identifying a pickup order and a drop-off order of each route in the set of routes corresponding to the first bundle; and identifying a first route in which a pickup or a drop-off for another order is performed between a pickup and a drop-off for an order associated with the single shipment in the set of routes based on the pickup order and the drop-off order, wherein the route level condition comprises that at least one route does not include the first route.

[0014] In one embodiment, the step of identifying at least one route further comprises: identifying a second route in which no pickup and drop-off for another order is performed between a pickup and a drop-off for an order associated with a single shipment in the set of routes based on a pickup order and a drop-off order; identifying a distance between a pickup location and a drop-off location for an order associated with the single shipment; and calculating a difference between the distance between the pickup location for an order associated with the single shipment and a drop-off location for another order, and between the pickup location and the drop-off location for an order associated with the single shipment, wherein the route level condition further comprises that if the difference exceeds a threshold, the at least one route does not include the second route.

[0015] In one embodiment, the step of identifying at least one route comprises: identifying a first order and a second order included in a first bundle within a bundle set; identifying a first pickup location and a first drop-off location for the first order, and identifying a second pickup location and a second drop-off location for the second order; and calculating a sum of a first travel distance between the first pickup location and the first drop-off location and a second travel distance between the second pickup location and the second drop-off location, wherein the route level condition comprises that at least one route does not include the first route if the travel distance corresponding to the first route of the route set corresponding to the first bundle is greater than the sum.

[0016] In one embodiment, the step of identifying at least one route comprises: obtaining information about a plurality of delivery sources; and identifying, based on the information about the plurality of delivery sources, a set of available delivery sources corresponding to a first route of a set of routes corresponding to a first bundle in a set of bundles, wherein the route level condition comprises that if there is no available delivery source corresponding to the first route, at least one route does not include the first route.

[0017] In one embodiment, the first bundle includes a first order and a second order, and a pickup for the first order is performed before a pickup for the second order in the first route, and the step of identifying at least one route comprises: identifying a first expected ready time for the first order and a second expected ready time for the second order based on information about the plurality of orders; identifying a first delivery person who is closest to a first pickup location for the first order from a set of available delivery persons; identifying a first expected travel time for the first delivery person to move along the first route to the first pickup location and a second expected travel time for the first delivery person to move along the first route to the second pickup location for the second order; identifying a first expected wait time for the first delivery person at the first pickup location based on the first expected ready time and the first expected travel time; And a step of determining a second expected waiting time of the first delivery person at the second pickup location based on the second expected preparation completion time, the second expected travel time, and the first expected waiting time, wherein the route level condition is characterized in that if at least one of the first expected waiting time and the second expected waiting time exceeds a first threshold time, at least one route does not include the first route.

[0018] In one embodiment, when the distance between the first pickup location and the second pickup location is less than the threshold, the first threshold time is changed to a second threshold time, and the second threshold time is characterized in that it is greater than the first threshold time.

[0019] In one embodiment, the step of determining a bundle for a merged shipment comprises: identifying one or more bundle plans based on one or more bundles, each of the one or more bundle plans including a plurality of orders as bundles or as single orders, wherein the plurality of orders are not duplicated within the one or more bundle plans; and determining the bundle for a merged shipment based on a first bundle plan having the largest number of bundles among the one or more bundle plans.

[0020] In one embodiment, the step of determining a bundle for a merged delivery comprises: identifying one or more bundle plans based on one or more bundles, each of the one or more bundle plans including a plurality of orders as a bundle or a single order, wherein the plurality of orders are not duplicated within the one or more bundle plans; identifying a total distance of routes corresponding to at least one of the bundles and the single orders included in each of the one or more bundle plans; and determining the bundle for a merged delivery based on a second bundle plan having a shortest total distance among the one or more bundle plans.

[0021] In one embodiment, a method for determining a bundle for a combined delivery further comprises: identifying a first time associated with the completion of food preparation of a first order included in the bundle for the combined delivery; transmitting a delivery acceptance request for the bundle for the combined delivery to a plurality of delivery personnel; and, if no acceptance of the delivery acceptance request is received within a first period from the first time, separating the bundle for the combined delivery into orders for a single delivery.

[0022] In one embodiment, if the difference between the time at which the delivery acceptance request is sent and the first time is less than a threshold time, the first period is changed to a second period, and the second period is characterized in that it is longer than the first period.

[0023] An electronic device for determining a bundle of orders for combined delivery according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: a memory storing at least one command; and a processor for executing the at least one command to: verify information on a plurality of orders, verify a bundle set including bundles of at least two orders among the plurality of orders, verify a plurality of routes including a route set corresponding to each bundle of the bundle set, verify at least one route satisfying a route level condition from the plurality of routes, and determine a bundle for combined delivery from one or more bundles corresponding to the at least one route, wherein the route set includes routes verified based on a pick-up location and a drop-off location of each of at least two orders included in each bundle of the bundle set.

[0024] A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute a method for an electronic device to determine a bundle of orders for combined delivery according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method comprising: identifying information about a plurality of orders; identifying a bundle set including bundles of at least two orders among the plurality of orders; identifying a plurality of routes including a route set corresponding to each bundle of the bundle set, the route set including routes identified based on a pick-up location and a drop-off location of each of at least two orders included in each bundle of the bundle set; identifying at least one route satisfying a route level condition from the plurality of routes; and determining a bundle for combined delivery from one or more bundles corresponding to the at least one route.

[0025] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronic device can determine a bundle of orders suitable for combined shipping from multiple orders by considering various factors, such as order information, store information, and delivery source information. After checking all bundles that can be combined from multiple orders, the electronic device can filter and eliminate bundles of orders that are inefficient or unsuitable for combined shipping based on the order information, store information, and delivery source information, thereby determining a bundle of orders suitable for efficient combined shipping.

[0026] The effects that can be obtained from the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs from the description below.

[0027] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a system for determining a bundle of orders for merged delivery according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for an electronic device to determine a bundle of orders for combined delivery according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an architecture for a filter and a decider for determining a bundle of orders for merged delivery according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIGS. 4A to 4E illustrate examples for explaining the operation of a plurality of filters and a merged delivery bundle determiner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating each component of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0033] In describing the embodiments, descriptions of technical details that are well known in the technical field to which the present invention pertains and are not directly related to the present invention will be omitted. This is to avoid obscuring the gist of the present invention by omitting unnecessary explanations and to convey the gist more clearly.

[0034] For the same reason, some components in the attached drawings are exaggerated, omitted, or schematically depicted. Furthermore, the dimensions of each component do not entirely reflect its actual size. Identical or corresponding components in each drawing are assigned the same reference numbers.

[0035] The advantages and features of the present invention, and the methods for achieving them, will become clearer with reference to the embodiments described in detail below together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and may be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided only to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals designate like elements throughout the specification.

[0036] At this time, it will be understood that each block of the processing flow diagrams and combinations of the flow diagrams can be performed by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be installed in a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing equipment, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing equipment create a means for performing the functions described in the flow diagram block(s). These computer program instructions can also be stored in a computer-available or computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing equipment to implement the functions in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer-available or computer-readable memory can also produce a manufactured item that includes an instruction means for performing the functions described in the flow diagram block(s). Since the computer program instructions may be installed on a computer or other programmable data processing device, a series of operational steps may be performed on the computer or other programmable data processing device to create a computer-executable process, and the instructions that cause the computer or other programmable data processing device to perform the steps for performing the functions described in the flowchart block(s) may also provide steps for performing the functions described in the flowchart block(s).

[0037] Additionally, each block may represent a module, segment, or portion of code that contains one or more executable instructions for performing a specific logical function(s). It should also be noted that in some alternative implementation examples, the functions described in the blocks may occur out of order. For example, two blocks depicted in succession may actually be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in reverse order, depending on their respective functions.

[0038] Here, the term '~ unit' used in this embodiment means a software or hardware component such as an FPGA or ASIC, and the '~ unit' performs certain roles. However, the '~ unit' is not limited to software or hardware. The '~ unit' may be configured to be on an addressable storage medium and may be configured to regenerate one or more processors. Thus, as an example, the '~ unit' includes components such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components, and task components, processes, functions, attributes, procedures, subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuits, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables. The functions provided within the components and '~ units' may be combined into a smaller number of components and '~ units' or further separated into additional components and '~ units'. In addition, the components and '~ units' may be implemented to regenerate one or more CPUs within a device or a secure multimedia card.

[0039] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a system for determining a bundle of orders for merged delivery according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 1, a system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include an electronic device (110), a customer terminal (120), a delivery terminal (130), and a seller terminal (140).

[0041] In one embodiment, the electronic device (110) may be included in a service server that provides an e-commerce or food delivery brokerage service. In one embodiment, the electronic device (110) may communicate with at least one of a customer terminal (120), a delivery person terminal (130), and a seller terminal (140) and provide information related to the e-commerce or food delivery brokerage service, information related to delivery status, etc. to each terminal. In one embodiment, the electronic device (110) may receive a food order from the customer terminal (120), transmit a request for acceptance of the food order to the seller terminal (140), and receive an acceptance response for the food order from the seller terminal (140), thereby managing a list of multiple orders requiring delivery. In one embodiment, the electronic device (110) may determine a bundle of orders for combined delivery from a list of multiple orders by considering the pickup and drop-off locations included in the order information received from the customer terminal (120), whether combined delivery is allowed, the location of the delivery person received from the delivery person terminal (130), the expected food preparation time received from the seller terminal (140), etc., and transmit a delivery acceptance request for combined delivery of the bundle to the delivery person terminal (130).

[0042] In one embodiment, a customer terminal (120) may be used by a user (i.e., a customer) of an e-commerce or food delivery brokerage service and may communicate with a service server including an electronic device (110). The customer terminal (120) may have an application that provides an e-commerce or food delivery brokerage service installed on the customer terminal (120), may access the electronic device (110) under the control of the application, and may use the e-commerce and food delivery brokerage service based on information exchange with the electronic device (110). The customer may order food from a store through the application installed on the customer terminal (120) and have the ordered food delivered to a set address by a delivery person. The customer terminal (120) may be a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet PC, or a static device such as a desktop PC, and any device that can install and execute an e-commerce or delivery brokerage service application may be used as the customer terminal (120) without limitation.

[0043] In one embodiment, the delivery agent terminal (130) may include a terminal used by a delivery agent who receives a delivery service request from an e-commerce or food delivery intermediary service provider and performs the delivery service. The delivery agent terminal (130) may be installed with an application that can obtain information related to the delivery service from the delivery intermediary service provider. The delivery agent may check the delivery service information through the application installed in the delivery agent terminal (130), apply for the delivery service he or she wishes to perform, or transmit an acceptance response in response to a delivery service acceptance request. The delivery agent terminal (130) may be a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet PC, or a static device such as a desktop PC, and any device that can install and execute an application that provides delivery service information may be used as the delivery agent terminal (130) without limitation.

[0044] In one embodiment, the seller terminal (140) is a terminal (140) associated with a store selling food, which can accept a customer's food order and transmit the store's estimated food preparation time or a food preparation completion notification to the electronic device (110). A seller application related to a delivery brokerage service can be installed on the seller terminal (140). The seller terminal (140) can be a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet PC, or a static device such as a desktop PC, and any device that can install and execute a seller application related to a delivery brokerage service can be used as the seller terminal (140) without limitation.

[0045] In one embodiment, the electronic device (110) may verify information about a plurality of orders, identify a bundle set including bundles of at least two orders among the plurality of orders, identify a plurality of routes including a route set corresponding to each bundle in the bundle set, identify at least one route that satisfies a route level condition from the plurality of routes, and determine a bundle for merged delivery from the bundle set based on the at least one route. A method by which the electronic device (110) determines a bundle of orders for merged delivery will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. 2.

[0046] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining a bundle of orders for combined delivery by an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The entity performing each step of the flowchart (200) illustrated in FIG. 2 may include the electronic device (110) illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0047] In step S210, the electronic device can verify information about multiple orders. In one embodiment, the electronic device can store and manage information about the order as a list of multiple orders each time it receives an order from a customer terminal. In another embodiment, the electronic device can transmit an order received from a customer terminal to a store terminal corresponding to the order, and store and manage information about the order as a list of multiple orders each time it receives a confirmation response for the order from the store terminal. In one embodiment, the list of multiple orders can be managed separately by order time or region. For example, the multiple orders can include four orders o1, o2, o3, and o4.

[0048] In one embodiment, information about an order may include information about the item (e.g., food) ordered by the customer, information about the store (e.g., restaurant) from which the customer ordered the item, the location of the store (i.e., pickup location), the customer's location (i.e., drop-off location), and information about delivery options. For example, delivery options may include single delivery, in which one delivery person is assigned to deliver only one order, and combined delivery, which allows one delivery person to deliver multiple orders, and may be selected by the customer. In one embodiment, the cost associated with combined delivery may be lower than the cost associated with single delivery.

[0049] In one embodiment, the electronic device can determine order bundles for combined shipping based on information about multiple orders. However, arbitrarily combining some of the multiple orders for combined shipping may result in lower delivery efficiency compared to operating a single shipment. This can negatively impact the customer experience due to delayed delivery.

[0050] Therefore, the electronic device needs to determine order bundles for combined shipping from multiple orders, taking into account various factors such as order information, store information, and delivery source information. To determine order bundles that are efficient for combined shipping, the electronic device can check all bundles that can be combined from multiple orders and then filter out bundles that are inefficient or unsuitable for combined shipping based on order information, store information, and delivery source information. To this end, the electronic device can utilize multiple filters and decision units, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0051] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an architecture for a filter and a decider for determining a bundle of orders for merged delivery according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 3, an architecture (300) is illustrated that includes a filter (310) and a merge delivery determiner (320) that an electronic device can use to determine a bundle of orders for merged delivery from a plurality of orders. The functions of the filter (310) and the merged delivery determiner (320) may be implemented by the processor (510) illustrated in FIG. 5. The filter (310) may include an order level filter (311), a bundle level filter (312), a route level filter (313), and a delivery person level filter (314), and may be applied to a plurality of orders in the order illustrated in FIG. 3. However, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the filter (310) is not limited to the contents illustrated in FIG. 3, and may include at least one of the order level filter (311), the bundle level filter (312), the route level filter (313), and the delivery person level filter (314), or may include other filters in addition to the illustrated filters, and may be applied to a plurality of orders in any order.

[0053] In one embodiment, the step of verifying information about multiple orders may further include a step of verifying a set of orders that satisfy order level conditions from the multiple orders based on the information about the multiple orders. This step may be performed using the order level filter (311) of FIG. 3. The electronic device may exclude orders that are not suitable for merged delivery from the target of merged delivery through the order level filter (311). For example, if the multiple orders include four orders, o1, o2, o3, and o4, and order o4 is verified to be not suitable for merged delivery, the electronic device may exclude o4 from the target of merged delivery determination and verify only the three orders, o1, o2, and o3, as an order set.

[0054] In one embodiment, the order-level condition may include that the number of items associated with the order is below a threshold. The items associated with the order may be food items ordered by the customer from the store. For orders with a large number of food items, merging them with other orders may be difficult. Therefore, the electronic device may use an order-level filter (311) to exclude orders with a number of items associated with the order exceeding the threshold from merged delivery decisions.

[0055] In one embodiment, the threshold associated with the number of items associated with an order may be determined based on the delivery person's mode of transportation. For example, if the delivery person performs deliveries via a vehicle equipped with a container capable of carrying a large quantity of food, the threshold may be set to a high number (e.g., 8 items). However, if the delivery person performs deliveries on foot, the threshold may be set to a low number (e.g., 2 items). In one embodiment, to determine the threshold associated with the number of items associated with an order, the electronic device may obtain information about the delivery person's mode of transportation in advance.

[0056] In one embodiment, an order-level condition may include that the shipping option associated with the order is a combined shipping option. That is, if a customer selects a single shipping option (e.g., "Hanjip Delivery") when placing an order, the order may not be considered for combined shipping.

[0057] However, in other embodiments, even if a customer selects a single delivery option, that order may be considered for combined delivery, provided that the delivery driver does not pick up or drop off other orders while performing pickup and drop-off for the single delivery. Customers may choose the single delivery option, even if it costs more, because they do not want the delivery driver to waste time stopping at pickup or drop-off locations for other orders while delivering their order from the store to their location. Therefore, to fulfill a customer's single delivery request, no actions related to the delivery of other orders should be involved between the pickup and drop-off of the single delivery.

[0058] In one embodiment, even if orders associated with a single shipment are considered for merged delivery, orders associated with a single shipment may be excluded from merged delivery decisions based on information related to the store's food preparation. Information related to the store's food preparation may include a target pickup time (TPT) and food ready (FR). TPT may refer to the estimated preparation time it takes for the store to complete preparation of an order. That is, TPT may refer to the estimated preparation time it takes for the store to complete the food corresponding to the order. FR may refer to a flag indicating that the electronic device has received information that the food has actually been prepared at the store. If the difference between the TPT and the current time is less than or equal to a reference time T1 (e.g., 2 minutes) (i.e., TPT - current_time ≤ T1), or if FR = true, the electronic device may exclude orders associated with a single shipment from merged delivery decisions to expedite the assignment of delivery personnel to the single shipment.

[0059] In the example illustrated in Fig. 4a, multiple orders O1, O2, O3, and O4 are confirmed, and an order level filter (411) can be applied to the multiple orders. As a result, it can be confirmed that all orders have passed the order level filter (411).

[0060] Referring back to FIG. 2, in step S220, the electronic device may identify a bundle set including bundles of at least two orders from among the plurality of orders. In one embodiment, the electronic device may identify an order set that satisfies an order level condition from among the plurality of orders, and identify a bundle set including bundles of at least two orders from among the order set. For example, if the order set includes four orders o1, o2, o3, and o4, the bundle set may include six bundles (o1, o2), (o1, o3), (o1, o4), (o2, o3), (o2, o4), and (o3, o4), which are combinations of two orders from among the four orders.

[0061] In one embodiment, the step of identifying a bundle set may further include identifying a first subset of bundles that satisfy bundle-level conditions from the bundle set based on information about multiple orders. This step may be performed using the bundle-level filter (312) of FIG. 3 . The electronic device may exclude bundles in the bundle set that are not suitable for merged delivery from the merged delivery target through the bundle-level filter (312).

[0062] In one embodiment, a first bundle within a first bundle subset includes a first order and a second order, and the step of identifying the first bundle subset includes: identifying a pickup location and a drop-off location of the first order, and a pickup location and a drop-off location of the second order; and identifying a first straight-line distance between the pickup location of the first order and the pickup location of the second order, and a second straight-line distance between the drop-off location of the first order and the drop-off location of the second order, wherein the bundle-level condition may include that the first straight-line distance and the second straight-line distance are less than a first threshold. The electronic device may identify the distance between the pickup locations of two orders within the bundle and the distance between the drop-off locations, and if either the distance between the pickup locations or the distance between the drop-off locations exceeds the first threshold (e.g., 2 km), the electronic device may determine that the bundle is not suitable for merged delivery and may exclude the bundle from the merged delivery. In this case, in order to reduce the amount of calculation, the distance between the pickup locations and the distance between the drop-off locations may be calculated as a straight-line distance rather than a route distance. Although this embodiment has been described only for the first bundle, the same process as for the first bundle can be performed for all bundles within the first bundle subset.

[0063] In one embodiment, the step of identifying a bundle set may further include: identifying a first bundle subset that satisfies a first bundle level condition from the bundle set based on information about a plurality of orders; and identifying a second bundle subset that satisfies a second bundle level condition from the first bundle subset based on information about a plurality of orders. This step may be performed using the bundle level filter (312) of FIG. 3. The electronic device may filter bundles in the first bundle subset that are not suitable for merged delivery through the bundle level filter (312) again to exclude them from the merged delivery target.

[0064] In one embodiment, a first bundle within a bundle set includes a first order and a second order, and the step of identifying the first bundle subset includes: identifying a pickup location and a drop-off location of the first order, and a pickup location and a drop-off location of the second order; and identifying a first straight-line distance between the pickup location of the first order and the pickup location of the second order, and a second straight-line distance between the drop-off location of the first order and the drop-off location of the second order, wherein the first bundle level condition may include that the first straight-line distance and the second straight-line distance are less than a first threshold. Furthermore, a second bundle within the first bundle subset includes a third order and a fourth order, and the step of identifying the second bundle subset includes: identifying a pickup location and a drop-off location of the third order, and a pickup location and a drop-off location of the fourth order; And the step of checking a first route distance between the pickup location of the third order and the pickup location of the fourth order, and a second route distance between the drop-off location of the third order and the drop-off location of the fourth order, wherein the second bundle level condition may include that the first route distance and the second route distance are less than a second threshold. The electronic device may check the route distance between the pickup locations of two orders in the bundle and the route distance between the drop-off locations, and if either the route distance between the pickup locations and the route distance between the drop-off locations exceeds the second threshold (e.g., 1.5 km), the electronic device may determine that the bundle is not suitable for merged delivery and may exclude the bundle from the merged delivery target. At this time, when calculating the distance between the pickup locations or the drop-off locations, the route distance (i.e., the distance of the actual path that the delivery person is expected to take) may be utilized instead of the straight-line distance for more precise calculation.Since calculating route distances for all bundles in a bundle set is computationally expensive, straight-line distances can be utilized to reduce the computational cost for distance calculations for the bundle set, and route distances can be utilized for distance calculations for the first bundle subset, contributing to more accurate measurements. Although this embodiment has been described for only the first and second bundles, the same process as for the first and second bundles can be performed for all bundles within the bundle set and the first bundle subset.

[0065] In the example illustrated in FIG. 4A, the bundle set may include six bundles (o1, o2), (o1, o3), (o1, o4), (o2, o3), (o2, o4), (o3, o4), which are combinations of two of the four orders. A bundle level filter (412) may be applied to the bundle set, and it may be confirmed that some bundles in the bundle set are removed by the filter.

[0066] In step S230, the electronic device may identify a plurality of routes including a route set corresponding to each bundle in the bundle set. In one embodiment, the route set may include routes identified based on the pickup location and the drop-off location of each of at least two orders included in each bundle in the bundle set. In one embodiment, the electronic device may identify a first bundle subset satisfying a first bundle level condition from the bundle set, and identify a plurality of routes including a route set corresponding to each bundle in the first bundle subset. In one embodiment, the electronic device may identify a second bundle subset satisfying a second bundle level condition from the first bundle subset, and identify a plurality of routes including a route set corresponding to each bundle in the second bundle subset.

[0067] For example, a plurality of orders may include four orders o1, o2, o3, and o4, and a bundle set may include six bundles (o1, o2), (o1, o3), (o1, o4), (o2, o3), (o2, o4), (o3, o4), which are combinations of two of the four orders. In a first bundle (o1, o2) of the bundle set, order o1 may have a pickup location p1 and a drop-off location d1, and order o2 may have a pickup location p2 and a drop-off location d2. Accordingly, a route set corresponding to the first bundle may include routes in which a delivery person moves through locations p1, p2, d1, and d2 in different orders, such as routes p1→p2→d1→d2, p1→p2→d2→d1, p2→p1→d1→d2, and p2→p1→d2→d1. In one embodiment, a path such as p1→d1→p2→d2 may not be included in a route set, as it corresponds to performing two single deliveries consecutively. Bundles included in a bundle set may each have their own corresponding route set, and all routes included in these route sets may be referred to as multiple routes.

[0068] In step S240, the electronic device can identify at least one route that satisfies the route level conditions from among multiple routes. This step can be performed using the route level filter (313) of FIG. 3. The electronic device can exclude routes among the multiple routes that are not suitable for merged delivery from the merged delivery target through the route level filter (313).

[0069] In one embodiment, the step of identifying at least one route comprises: calculating a distance of each route in a route set corresponding to a first bundle in the bundle set; and identifying a first route in the route set having a shortest distance, wherein the route-level condition may include that the at least one route does not include a route in the route set having a distance difference exceeding a threshold from the first route. The electronic device may consider, for merge delivery, only routes having a distance within the threshold (e.g., 500 m) from a distance of a route having a shortest distance in the route set, and exclude routes having a distance difference exceeding the threshold from being merged by not including them in the at least one route, in order to prevent the distance (or length) of the route from becoming excessively long due to an improper visiting order of pickup locations and drop-off locations of orders in the bundle. Although in this embodiment only the route set corresponding to the first bundle has been described, the same process as the route set corresponding to the first bundle can also be performed for the route sets corresponding to all bundles within the bundle set.

[0070] For example, if the distances of the first route p1→p2→d1→d2, the second route p1→p2→d2→d1, the third route p2→p1→d1→d2, and the fourth route p2→p1→d2→d1 in the route set are 1,000 m, 2,000 m, 1,400 m, and 3,000 m, respectively, only the third route having a distance within the threshold of 500 m from the distance of 1,000 m of the first route having the shortest distance may be included in at least one route, and the second route and the fourth route having a distance exceeding the threshold of 500 m from the distance of 1,000 m of the first route may not be included in at least one route.

[0071] In one embodiment, the step of identifying at least one route includes: identifying an order associated with a single shipment from a first bundle in a bundle set; identifying a pickup order and a drop-off order for each route in the route set corresponding to the first bundle; and identifying a first route in the route set, based on the pickup order and the drop-off order, in which a pickup or drop-off for another order is performed between a pickup and a drop-off for an order associated with the single shipment, wherein the route-level condition may include that at least one route does not include the first route. In order to merge a single shipment order for which a customer has selected a single shipment option with another shipment, a condition may be added that the delivery person does not perform a pickup or drop-off for another order while performing the pickup and drop-off for the single shipment order. Accordingly, the electronic device may configure the merged shipment route such that the delivery person does not pass through a location associated with another order after picking up food from a pickup location for the single shipment order and before moving to a drop-off location for the single shipment order to drop off the food. Although in this embodiment only the first route corresponding to the first bundle has been described, the same process as the first route corresponding to the first bundle can be performed for all routes corresponding to all bundles within the bundle set.

[0072] For example, referring to the single shipment filter (433) of FIG. 4C, if multiple routes include eight routes for four bundles, and if order O2 is a single shipment order, any routes that require visiting pickup locations or drop-off locations for other orders between the pickup location P2 and the drop-off location D2 for order O2 can be filtered out. That is, the pickup for a single shipment order should be performed last among the pickups for multiple orders, and the drop-off for a single shipment order should be performed first among the drop-offs for multiple orders. Therefore, at least one route after filtering can only include the route P4→P2→D2→D4 that satisfies the route-level condition for the bundle containing order O2. This allows the electronic device to more efficiently process a single shipment order using merged shipping while complying with the delivery regulations for single shipment orders.

[0073] In one embodiment, the step of identifying at least one route further comprises: identifying a second route in which no pickup and drop-off for another order is performed between a pickup and a drop-off for an order associated with a single shipment in the set of routes based on a pickup order and a drop-off order; identifying a distance between a pickup location and a drop-off location for an order associated with the single shipment; and calculating a difference between the distance between the pickup location for an order associated with the single shipment and a drop-off location for another order, and between the pickup location and the drop-off location for an order associated with the single shipment, wherein the route level condition may further comprise that if the difference exceeds a threshold, the at least one route does not include the second route. Even if the second route satisfies the merging conditions for a single delivery order, if the straight distance from the pickup location for a single delivery order to the drop-off location for that single delivery order is significantly longer than the distance from the pickup location for that single delivery order to the drop-off location for another order (for example, the difference is greater than 300 m), the electronic device may determine this as inefficient and exclude the second route from the merge delivery target. The filter used for this filtering operation may be referred to as a drop-off zigzag filter to prevent zigzag movement of the delivery person. Although this embodiment has been described only for the second route corresponding to the first bundle, the same process as the second route corresponding to the first bundle may be performed for all routes corresponding to all bundles within the bundle set.

[0074] For example, in the example (440) illustrated in FIG. 4d, the distance from the pickup location P2 for a single delivery order to the drop-off location D2 for the single delivery order is 1500 m, and the distance from the pickup location P2 for a single delivery order to the drop-off location D4 for another order is 1000 m, and the difference of 500 m is greater than the threshold of 300 m, so the electronic device may not include the route illustrated in the example (440) in at least one route that is a target of merged delivery. Meanwhile, in the example (450) illustrated in FIG. 4d, the distance from the pickup location P2 for a single delivery order to the drop-off location D2 for the single delivery order is 1100 m, and the distance from the pickup location P2 for a single delivery order to the drop-off location D4 for another order is 1200 m, and the difference of -100 m is less than the threshold of 300 m, so the electronic device can include the route illustrated in the example (450) in at least one route that is a target of merged delivery.

[0075] In one embodiment, the step of verifying at least one route may include verifying at least one route based on whether an overlap ratio of multiple routes satisfies a route-level condition. In one embodiment, the overlap ratio of a route for a merged delivery may refer to the ratio of the total distance (or a portion of the distance) of the routes for the merged delivery to the distance traveled by the delivery person carrying all items included in the multiple orders.

[0076] In one embodiment, the electronic device may check the pickup order and the drop-off order of each route of the route set corresponding to the first bundle in the bundle set, check the overlap distance from the last pickup location to the first drop-off location in the route, check the first travel distance from the pickup location for the first order in the first bundle in the route to the drop-off location for the first order in the route, and check the second travel distance from the pickup location for the second order in the first bundle in the route to the drop-off location for the second order in the route. The route level condition may include that at least one of (overlap distance) / (first travel distance) and (overlap distance) / (second travel distance) is greater than or equal to a threshold ratio (e.g., 0.5). If the overlap ratio of a route for merge delivery is lower than the threshold, the electronic device may determine that the route is not suitable for merge delivery and exclude the route from the merge delivery target. Although this embodiment is described only for the first bundle, the same process as for the first bundle may be performed for all bundles in the bundle set.

[0077] In one embodiment, the step of identifying at least one route includes: identifying a first order and a second order included in a first bundle within a bundle set; identifying a first pickup location and a first drop-off location for the first order, and identifying a second pickup location and a second drop-off location for the second order; and calculating a sum of a first travel distance between the first pickup location and the first drop-off location and a second travel distance between the second pickup location and the second drop-off location, wherein the route level condition may include that if a travel distance corresponding to a first route in the route set corresponding to the first bundle is greater than the sum, at least one route does not include the first route. For example, when the first route is p1→p2→d1→d2, the electronic device may compare the movement distance corresponding to the first route with the sum of the first movement distance corresponding to the single delivery route p1→d1 and the second movement distance corresponding to the single delivery route p2→d2, and if the movement distance corresponding to the first route is greater than the sum of the first movement distance and the second movement distance, the electronic device may determine that the merging efficiency is low and exclude the first route from the merging delivery target. This may be performed for all routes corresponding to all bundles included in the bundle set.

[0078] In one embodiment, the step of identifying at least one route includes the step of obtaining information about a plurality of delivery agents; and the step of identifying a set of available delivery agents corresponding to a first route of a set of routes corresponding to a first bundle in a bundle set based on the information about the plurality of delivery agents, wherein the route-level condition may include that if there is no available delivery agent corresponding to the first route, at least one route does not include the first route. In one embodiment, the set of available delivery agents corresponding to the first route may mean a set of delivery agents whose current location is within a certain distance from a first pickup location of the first route among the available delivery agents (i.e., delivery agents not currently performing another delivery). If there is no available delivery agent corresponding to the first route, the electronic device may determine that the first route is not suitable for merged delivery and exclude the route from being subject to merged delivery. This may be performed for all routes corresponding to all bundles included in the bundle set.

[0079] In the example illustrated in FIG. 4A, a plurality of routes including a set of routes corresponding to each of the four bundles that passed through the bundle-level filter (412) may include 16 routes. As a result of applying the route-level filter (413) to the plurality of routes, nine routes are removed, and thus, it can be confirmed that at least one route satisfying the route-level condition includes seven routes.

[0080] In one embodiment, the route level condition may include that at least one route does not include a route that crosses a river at least once.

[0081] In one embodiment, when the electronic device identifies an order associated with a single shipment in a first bundle within a bundle set, the electronic device may determine whether the first delivery person is suitable for a merged shipment of the first route based on the location of the first delivery person and the pickup location of the first route corresponding to the first bundle. The filter used for this filtering operation may be referred to as a pickup zigzag filter to prevent zigzag movement of the delivery person. The pickup zigzag filter may be included in the delivery person level filter (314) of FIG. 3. Of course, the first route must satisfy the merge condition associated with a single shipment, i.e., no pickup or drop-off for another order must be performed between the pickup and drop-off for an order associated with a single shipment within the first route. The electronic device may calculate the difference between the distance from the location of the first delivery source to the pickup location for another order (i.e., an order that is not associated with a single shipment in the first bundle) and the distance from the location of the delivery source to the pickup location for an order associated with a single shipment, and if the difference exceeds a threshold, the electronic device may determine that the first delivery source is not suitable for the merge delivery of the first route if the straight distance the first delivery source travels to the pickup location for the single shipment order is much shorter (e.g., more than 300 m) than the distance traveled to the pickup location for the other orders. The electronic device may determine that the first delivery source is not suitable for the merge delivery of the first route and may exclude the first delivery source from the set of available delivery sources. On the other hand, if no delivery sources pass the pickup zigzag filter and no delivery sources remain in the set of available delivery sources corresponding to the first route, the first route should be excluded from the merge delivery. This may be performed for all routes corresponding to all bundles included in the bundle set.

[0082] For example, in the example (460) illustrated in FIG. 4e, the distance from the location (e1) of the first delivery person to the pickup location P4 for another order is 800 m, and the distance directly from the location (e1) of the first delivery person to the pickup location P2 for a single delivery order is 300 m, and since the difference of 500 m is greater than the threshold of 300 m, the electronic device may exclude the first delivery person illustrated in the example (460) from the set of delivery persons corresponding to the first route including the single delivery order. Meanwhile, in the example (470) illustrated in FIG. 4e, the distance from the location (e2) of the second delivery person to the pickup location P4 for another order is 700 m, and the distance directly from the location (e2) of the second delivery person to the pickup location P2 for a single delivery order is 600 m, and the difference of 100 m is less than the threshold of 300 m, so the electronic device can include the second delivery person illustrated in the example (470) in the delivery person set corresponding to the first route including the single delivery order.

[0083] In one embodiment, the first bundle includes a first order and a second order, and a pickup for the first order is performed before a pickup for the second order in the first route, and the step of identifying at least one route comprises: identifying a first expected ready time for the first order and a second expected ready time for the second order based on information about the plurality of orders; identifying a first delivery person who is closest to a first pickup location for the first order from a set of available delivery persons; identifying a first expected travel time for the first delivery person to move along the first route to the first pickup location and a second expected travel time for the first delivery person to move along the first route to the second pickup location for the second order; identifying a first expected wait time for the first delivery person at the first pickup location based on the first expected ready time and the first expected travel time; And a step of checking the second expected waiting time of the first delivery person at the second pickup location based on the second expected ready time, the second expected travel time, and the first expected waiting time, wherein the route level condition may include that if at least one of the first expected wait time and the second expected wait time exceeds a first threshold time, at least one route will not include the first route. The electronic device may calculate the expected ready time for the first order and the second order based on the menu included in the customer's order and the order quantity of the store. The electronic device may calculate all of the expected waiting times of the first delivery person at the plurality of pickup locations based on the expected travel time of the first delivery person at the closest location from the pickup location for the first order of the first route, and if any of the expected wait times at the plurality of pickup locations exceeds the first threshold time (e.g., 2 minutes), the first route may be determined to be unsuitable for merged delivery and may be excluded from the merged delivery target.This can be done for all routes corresponding to all bundles within a bundle set. This allows the electronic device to reduce unnecessary waiting time at the delivery agent's store and improve delivery efficiency and satisfaction.

[0084] In one embodiment, if the distance between the first pickup location and the second pickup location is less than a threshold (e.g., 100 m), the first threshold time is changed to a second threshold time, and the second threshold time (e.g., 5 minutes) may be greater than the first threshold time (e.g., 2 minutes). If the first pickup location and the second pickup location are very close together in the first route, the electronic device may increase the threshold time to relax the route-level condition related to the expected wait time, as the delivery person may want to perform the delivery with a short distance between the two pickup locations even if the expected wait time at the pickup location is long.

[0085] In one embodiment, the threshold time for the expected waiting time at the first pickup location and the threshold time for the expected waiting time at the second pickup location may be set differently. In one embodiment, the threshold time for the expected waiting time may be adaptively determined based on the delivery person's delivery history. For example, if the delivery person has a history of complaining about long store waiting times during past deliveries, the electronic device may set the threshold time for the delivery person to be shorter than the reference value.

[0086] In the example illustrated in FIG. 4B, the electronic device can identify a set of available delivery agents corresponding to each of the seven routes that have passed the route-level filter (413), identify the delivery agent closest to the first pickup location of each route, and determine the distance from the first pickup location of each route to the delivery agent's location. A delivery agent-level filter (414) related to the delivery agent's expected waiting time at the pickup location can be applied to the seven routes, resulting in the elimination of one route.

[0087] In step S250, the electronic device may determine a bundle for merged delivery from one or more bundles corresponding to at least one route. In one embodiment, this step may be performed by the merged delivery bundle determiner (320) illustrated in FIG. 3. This step may be a step for finally determining a bundle for merged delivery from one or more bundles corresponding to at least one route remaining after filtering by multiple filters (310).

[0088] In one embodiment, the step of determining a bundle for a merged shipment may include: identifying one or more bundle plans based on one or more bundles; and determining a bundle for a merged shipment based on a first bundle plan having the largest number of bundles among the one or more bundle plans. Each of the one or more bundle plans may include multiple orders as bundles or single orders, and the multiple orders may not overlap within the one or more bundle plans. For convenience of explanation of this embodiment, reference will be made to the example of FIG. 4B.

[0089] In the example illustrated in FIG. 4b, when multiple orders pass through the delivery source level filter (414), at least one route may include six routes, namely (P2→P1→D2→D1), (P1→P3→D3→D1), (P3→P1→D1→D3), (P4→P2→D2→D4), (P2→P3→D3→D2), and (P2→P3→D2→D3), and one or more bundles corresponding to at least one route may include four bundles, namely (O1, O2), (O1, O3), (O2, O4), and (O2, O3). The merge delivery bundle determiner (420) may identify one or more bundle plans to attempt merge delivery among one or more bundles that pass through the filter and remain. A first bundle plan among one or more bundle plans may include processing (O1, O2) as a bundle for merged shipment and processing the remaining orders O3 and O4 as a single shipment. This is because bundles (O3, O4) or the routes corresponding to bundles (O3, O4) are removed by the filter, so that bundles (O3, O4) cannot be processed as merged shipments. Meanwhile, a second bundle plan among one or more bundle plans may include processing (O1, O3) and (O2, O4) as bundles for merged shipments. The merged shipment bundle determiner (420) may determine bundles for merged shipment as (O1, O3) and (O2, O4) based on the second bundle plan having the largest number of bundles (i.e., 2) among the first and second bundle plans.

[0090] In one embodiment, the step of determining a bundle for a merged shipment may include: identifying one or more bundle plans based on one or more bundles; identifying a total distance of routes corresponding to at least one of a bundle and a single order included in each of the one or more bundle plans; and determining a bundle for a merged shipment based on a second bundle plan having the shortest total distance among the one or more bundle plans. In this case, each of the one or more bundle plans includes a plurality of orders as a bundle or a single order, and the plurality of orders may not overlap within the one or more bundle plans.

[0091] In the example illustrated in FIG. 4B, the merged delivery bundle determiner (420) can calculate the total distance of the routes included in the first bundle plan and the total distance of the routes included in the second bundle plan. For example, if the total distance of the routes included in the first bundle plan is calculated to be 26 km and the total distance of the routes included in the second bundle plan is calculated to be 22 km, the merged delivery bundle determiner (420) can determine the bundles for merged delivery as (O1, O3) and (O2, O4) based on the second bundle plan with the shortest total distance.

[0092] Meanwhile, in one embodiment, if the electronic device determines that at least one route satisfies the route-level condition from among multiple routes, and none of the routes satisfy the route-level condition, the electronic device may process all multiple orders as a single shipment. This also applies if the customer selects the merged shipment option when placing the order. Since inefficiently merging two orders to perform a merged shipment would negatively impact the customer experience, processing at least two single orders in this case may be more beneficial from a customer experience perspective.

[0093] In one embodiment, the electronic device may determine a bundle for combined delivery, then confirm a first time associated with the completion of food preparation of a first order included in the bundle for combined delivery, transmit a delivery acceptance request for the bundle for combined delivery to multiple delivery personnel, and if no acceptance of the delivery acceptance request is received within a first period from the first time, separate the bundle for combined delivery into orders for single delivery. The electronic device may perform the process of determining a bundle for combined delivery among the multiple orders and transmitting a delivery acceptance request for the bundle at regular intervals (e.g., 30 seconds). Meanwhile, if the expected preparation time for an order is near or has passed, or if the electronic device has received information from the store that the food is actually ready, continuing to attempt to assign a delivery person for the combined delivery without receiving a delivery acceptance for the combined delivery risks delaying the food delivery. Therefore, if the electronic device has not received an acceptance for the delivery acceptance request for a first period from the first time associated with the food preparation completion, the electronic device can facilitate faster delivery person assignment by separating the bundle for the combined delivery into orders for a single delivery.

[0094] In one embodiment, if the difference between the time the delivery acceptance request is sent and the first time is less than the threshold time, the first period is changed to a second period, and the second period may be longer than the first period. If the food preparation time is short, or if the actual food preparation at the store is completed very quickly, the bundle for combined delivery may be separated into orders for a single delivery more quickly than necessary, which may prevent the combined delivery from being requested smoothly. Therefore, if the difference between the time the delivery acceptance request is sent and the first time associated with the completion of food preparation is less than the threshold time, the electronic device may set the threshold period to be longer to attempt combined delivery for a sufficiently long period of time.

[0095] In one embodiment, information associated with food preparation at a store may include TPT and FR. TPT may indicate an estimated preparation time for the store to complete preparation of an order, and FR may include a flag indicating that the electronic device has actually received information that the food is ready at the store, and a time at which the information was received. The electronic device may determine a first time at which a delivery acceptance request for a bundle for combined delivery is transmitted, and if the difference between the first time and the TPT is less than or equal to a TPT threshold time (e.g., 10 minutes) or if the difference between the first time and the FR is less than or equal to a FR threshold time (e.g., 5 minutes), the electronic device may not separate the bundle for combined delivery into a single delivery order during the first period (e.g., 10 minutes) and may wait for delivery acceptance of the bundle for combined delivery from a delivery person.

[0096] In one embodiment, if the difference between the first time and the TPT is less than or equal to a first TPT threshold time (e.g., 10 minutes) or if the difference between the first time and the FR is less than or equal to a first FR threshold time (e.g., 5 minutes), the electronic device may wait for the delivery source to accept the delivery of the bundle for the merged delivery without separating the bundle for the merged delivery into a single delivery order during the first period (e.g., 10 minutes). On the other hand, if the difference between the first time and the TPT is greater than or equal to the first TPT threshold time (e.g., 10 minutes) and less than or equal to a second TPT threshold time (e.g., 15 minutes), or if the difference between the first time and the FR is greater than or equal to the first FR threshold time (e.g., 5 minutes) and less than or equal to a second FR threshold time (e.g., 10 minutes), the electronic device may wait for the delivery source to accept the delivery of the bundle for the merged delivery without separating the bundle for the merged delivery into a single delivery order during the second period (e.g., 15 minutes).

[0097] In one embodiment, the electronic device may assign at least two orders included in the bundle to a single delivery person simultaneously when assigning a bundle for combined delivery to a single delivery person. Meanwhile, in one embodiment, the electronic device may sequentially assign at least two orders included in the bundle to a single delivery person. For example, even if the first delivery person has been assigned the first order included in the bundle and is moving to the pickup location for the first order, the electronic device may assign the second order included in the bundle to the first delivery person, and the delivery person may perform combined delivery of the first and second orders according to the route corresponding to the bundle. In both the simultaneous and sequential assignments described above, the electronic device may determine the bundle of orders for combined delivery, for example, through steps S210 to S250 described above.

[0098] FIGS. 4A to 4E illustrate examples for explaining the operation of a plurality of filters and a merged delivery bundle determiner according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0099] Referring to FIGS. 4a and 4b, an order level filter (411), a bundle level filter (412), a route level filter (413), and a delivery agent level filter (414) are applied to multiple orders O1, O2, O3, and O4, and finally, a merged delivery bundle determiner (420) determines (O1, O3) and (O2, O4) as bundles for merged delivery, which is illustrated as an example (400). The order level filter (411), the bundle level filter (412), the route level filter (413), the delivery agent level filter (414), and the merged delivery bundle determiner (420) may correspond to the order level filter (311), the bundle level filter (312), the route level filter (313), the delivery agent level filter (314), and the merged delivery bundle determiner (320) of FIG. 3, respectively, and any description overlapping with the above will be omitted below.

[0100] FIG. 4c illustrates an example of the operation of a single delivery filter (433) included in a route level filter (413), and any description that overlaps with the above is omitted below.

[0101] FIG. 4d illustrates examples (440, 450) for explaining the operation of a drop-off zigzag filter, and FIG. 4e illustrates examples (460, 470) for explaining the operation of a pickup zigzag filter, and any explanation that overlaps with the above is omitted below.

[0102] FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating each component of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The electronic device (500) illustrated in FIG. 5 may include the electronic device (110) illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0103] Referring to FIG. 5, an electronic device (500) may include a processor (510) and a memory (520), and may perform a method for providing delivery information of a delivery agent. The electronic device (500) illustrated in FIG. 5 only illustrates components related to the present embodiments. Therefore, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the electronic device (500) may further include other general components in addition to the components illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0104] The processor (510) controls the overall functions for determining the bundle of orders for combined delivery in the electronic device (500). For example, the processor (510) controls the electronic device (500) overall by executing programs stored in the memory (520) within the electronic device (500). The processor (510) may be implemented as a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an application processor (AP), etc., provided within the electronic device (500), but is not limited thereto.

[0105] The memory (520) is hardware that stores various data processed within the electronic device (500), and the memory (520) can store data processed and data to be processed in the electronic device (500). In addition, the memory (520) can store applications, drivers, etc. to be driven by the electronic device (500). The memory (520) can include random access memory (RAM) such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), CD-ROM, Blu-ray or other optical disk storage, hard disk drive (HDD), solid state drive (SSD), or flash memory.

[0106] In one embodiment, the delivery agent terminal (140) may include a terminal used by a delivery agent who receives delivery work instructions from an e-commerce service provider or manager and performs delivery work. In one embodiment, the delivery agent terminal (140) may be installed with an application that can obtain delivery work-related information from a delivery intermediary service provider. The delivery agent terminal (140) may check delivery work information through the application and request delivery work that the delivery agent wishes to perform. In one embodiment, the delivery agent may use the delivery agent terminal (140) to scan an item at a delivery camp associated with a logistics center or a customer address, and based on the scan information, delivery departure or delivery completion information of the delivery agent may be generated and transmitted to an electronic device. In one embodiment, the delivery agent may select whether to allow the transmission of current location information of the delivery agent terminal (140) to a service server through an input corresponding to the delivery agent terminal (140). The delivery terminal (140) may be a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet PC or a static device such as a desktop PC, and any device that can install and execute an application that provides delivery work information may be used as the delivery terminal (140) without limitation.

[0107] Meanwhile, this specification and drawings disclose preferred embodiments of the present invention. Although specific terms have been used, they are used in a general sense only to easily explain the technical content of the present invention and to aid in understanding the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other modifications based on the technical concept of the present invention are possible in addition to the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0108] The electronic device or terminal according to the above-described embodiments may include a processor, a memory for storing and executing program data, permanent storage such as a disk drive, a communication port for communicating with an external device, a user interface device such as a touch panel, a key, an icon, etc. The methods implemented as software modules or algorithms may be stored on a computer-readable recording medium as computer-readable codes or program commands that can be executed on the processor. Here, the computer-readable recording medium includes a magnetic storage medium (e.g., read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), floppy disk, hard disk, etc.) and an optical reading medium (e.g., CD-ROM, DVD: Digital Versatile Disc)). The computer-readable recording medium may be distributed to computer systems connected to a network, so that the computer-readable code can be stored and executed in a distributed manner. The medium is readable by a computer, stored in a memory, and executed by a processor.

[0109] The present embodiment may be represented by functional block configurations and various processing steps. These functional blocks may be implemented by various hardware and / or software configurations that perform specific functions. For example, the embodiment may employ direct circuit configurations such as memory, processing, logic, look-up tables, etc., which may perform various functions under the control of one or more microprocessors or other control devices. Similarly, the present embodiment may be implemented in a programming or scripting language such as C, C++, Java, assembler, Python, etc., including various algorithms implemented as a combination of data structures, processes, routines, or other programming configurations. Functional aspects may be implemented as algorithms that execute on one or more processors. Furthermore, the present embodiment may employ conventional techniques for electronic configuration, signal processing, and / or data processing. Terms like "mechanism," "element," "means," and "composition" can be used broadly and are not limited to mechanical or physical components. These terms can also encompass a series of software routines, such as those associated with a processor.

[0110] The above-described embodiments are merely examples, and other embodiments may be implemented within the scope of the claims set forth below.

Claims

1. A method for an electronic device to determine a bundle of orders for combined shipping, Step for checking information on multiple orders; A step of identifying a bundle set including bundles of at least two orders among the above plurality of orders; A step of identifying a plurality of routes including a route set corresponding to each bundle of the bundle set, wherein the route set includes routes identified based on a pick-up location and a drop-off location of each of the at least two orders included in each bundle of the bundle set; A step of identifying at least one route that satisfies a route level condition from the plurality of routes; and A method comprising the step of determining a bundle for merged delivery from one or more bundles corresponding to at least one route.

2. In paragraph 1, The step of checking information on the above multiple orders is Further comprising a step of identifying a set of orders that satisfy an order level condition from the plurality of orders based on information about the plurality of orders, Steps to check the above bundle set A step of identifying a bundle set including a bundle of at least two orders among the above order sets, A method wherein the above order level condition includes that the number of items associated with the order is less than a threshold.

3. In paragraph 1, Steps to check the above bundle set Further comprising a step of identifying a first bundle subset satisfying a bundle level condition from the bundle set based on information about the plurality of orders, The step of checking the above multiple routes is A step of identifying the plurality of routes including the route set corresponding to each bundle of the first bundle subset, The first bundle within the first bundle subset includes the first order and the second order, The step of verifying the above first bundle subset is A step of confirming the pickup location and drop-off location of the first order and the pickup location and drop-off location of the second order; and A step of checking a first straight-line distance between a pickup location of the first order and a pickup location of the second order, and a second straight-line distance between a drop-off location of the first order and a drop-off location of the second order, The above bundle level conditions are A method, comprising: the first straight-line distance and the second straight-line distance being less than a first threshold.

4. In paragraph 1, Steps to check the above bundle set A step of identifying a first bundle subset that satisfies a first bundle level condition from the bundle set based on information about the plurality of orders; and Further comprising a step of identifying a second bundle subset satisfying a second bundle level condition from the first bundle subset based on information about the plurality of orders, The step of checking the above multiple routes is A step of identifying the plurality of routes including the route set corresponding to each bundle of the second bundle subset, The first bundle within the above bundle set includes the first order and the second order, The step of verifying the above first bundle subset is A step of confirming the pickup location and drop-off location of the first order and the pickup location and drop-off location of the second order; and A step of checking a first straight-line distance between a pickup location of the first order and a pickup location of the second order, and a second straight-line distance between a drop-off location of the first order and a drop-off location of the second order, The above first bundle level condition is Including that the first straight line distance and the second straight line distance are less than a first threshold, The second bundle within the first bundle subset includes the third order and the fourth order, The step of verifying the above second bundle subset is A step of confirming the pickup location and drop-off location of the third order and the pickup location and drop-off location of the fourth order; and A step of checking a first route distance between the pickup location of the third order and the pickup location of the fourth order, and a second route distance between the drop-off location of the third order and the drop-off location of the fourth order, The above second bundle level condition is A method, comprising: the first route distance and the second route distance being less than a second threshold.

5. In paragraph 1, The step of verifying at least one route above A step of calculating the distance of each route of the route set corresponding to the first bundle in the above bundle set; and comprising a step of identifying a first route having the shortest distance in the above route set, The above route level conditions are A method, wherein at least one of the routes does not include a route among the set of routes whose distance difference from the first route exceeds a threshold.

6. In paragraph 1, The step of verifying at least one route above A step of identifying an order associated with a single shipment in a first bundle within the above bundle set; A step of checking the pickup order and drop-off order of each route of the route set corresponding to the first bundle; and A step of identifying a first route in which a pickup or drop-off for another order is performed between a pickup and a drop-off for an order associated with the single shipment in the route set based on the pickup order and the drop-off order, The above route level conditions are A method, wherein at least one of the routes does not include the first route.

7. In paragraph 6, The step of verifying at least one route above A step of identifying a second route in which no pickup and drop-off for another order is performed between pickups and drop-offs for an order associated with the single shipment in the route set based on the pickup order and the drop-off order; A step of checking the distance between the pickup location and the drop-off location for the order associated with the single shipment; and Further comprising the step of calculating the difference between the distance between the pickup location for an order associated with the single shipment and the drop-off location for another order, and the distance between the pickup location and the drop-off location for an order associated with the single shipment; The above route level conditions are A method further comprising: if the difference exceeds a threshold, the at least one route does not include the second route.

8. In paragraph 1, The step of verifying at least one route above A step of confirming the first order and the second order included in the first bundle within the above bundle set; A step of confirming a first pickup location and a first drop-off location for the first order, and confirming a second pickup location and a second drop-off location for the second order; and Comprising a step of calculating a sum of a first movement distance between the first pickup location and the first drop-off location and a second movement distance between the second pickup location and the second drop-off location, The above route level conditions are A method comprising: if the travel distance corresponding to the first route of the route set corresponding to the first bundle is greater than the sum, at least one route does not include the first route.

9. In paragraph 1, The step of verifying at least one route above A step of obtaining information about multiple delivery sources; and A step of checking a set of available delivery sources corresponding to a first route of a set of routes corresponding to a first bundle in the bundle set based on information about the plurality of delivery sources, The above route level conditions are A method comprising: if there is no available carrier corresponding to the first route, the at least one route does not include the first route.

10. In paragraph 9, The above first bundle includes the first order and the second order, In the first route, the pickup for the first order is performed before the pickup for the second order, The step of verifying at least one route above A step of confirming a first expected preparation completion time for the first order and a second expected preparation completion time for the second order based on information about the plurality of orders; A step of identifying a first delivery person who is closest to the first pickup location for the first order from the set of available delivery persons; A step of determining a first estimated travel time for the first delivery person to move along the first route to the first pickup location and a second estimated travel time for the first delivery person to move along the first route to the second pickup location for the second order; A step of confirming a first expected waiting time of the first delivery person at the first pickup location based on the first expected preparation completion time and the first expected travel time; and A step of confirming a second expected waiting time of the first delivery person at the second pickup location based on the second expected preparation completion time, the second expected travel time, and the first expected waiting time, The above route level conditions are A method comprising: if at least one of the first expected waiting time and the second expected waiting time exceeds a first threshold time, the at least one route does not include the first route.

11. In paragraph 10, If the distance between the first pickup location and the second pickup location is less than the threshold, the first threshold time is changed to the second threshold time, A method, characterized in that the second critical time is greater than the first critical time.

12. In paragraph 1, The step of determining the bundle for the above merged shipment is A step of identifying one or more bundle plans based on the one or more bundles, wherein each of the one or more bundle plans includes the plurality of orders as a bundle or a single order, and the plurality of orders are not duplicated within the one or more bundle plans; and A method comprising the step of determining a bundle for the merged shipment based on a first bundle plan having the largest number of bundles among the one or more bundle plans.

13. In paragraph 1, The step of determining the bundle for the above merged shipment is A step of identifying one or more bundle plans based on the one or more bundles, wherein each of the one or more bundle plans includes the plurality of orders as a bundle or a single order, and the plurality of orders are not duplicated within the one or more bundle plans; A step of checking the total distance of routes corresponding to at least one of the bundles and single orders included in each of the one or more bundle plans; and A method comprising the step of determining a bundle for the merged delivery based on a second bundle plan having the shortest total distance among the one or more bundle plans.

14. In paragraph 1, A step of confirming a first time associated with the completion of food preparation of a first order included in a bundle for the above merged delivery; A step of transmitting a delivery acceptance request for the bundle for the above merged delivery to multiple delivery agents; and A method further comprising the step of separating the bundle for the merged shipment into orders for a single shipment if no acceptance for the shipment acceptance request is received during a first period from the first time.

15. In paragraph 14, If the difference between the time at which the above delivery acceptance request is sent and the above first time is less than the threshold time, the first period is changed to the second period, A method, characterized in that the second period is longer than the first period.

16. An electronic device for determining the bundle of orders for combined delivery, a memory storing at least one instruction; and A processor configured to check information about a plurality of orders by executing at least one command, check a bundle set including bundles of at least two orders among the plurality of orders, check a plurality of routes including a route set corresponding to each bundle of the bundle set, check at least one route satisfying a route level condition from the plurality of routes, and determine a bundle for merged delivery from one or more bundles corresponding to the at least one route, An electronic device wherein the route set includes routes identified based on the pick-up location and drop-off location of each of the at least two orders included in each bundle of the bundle set.

17. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute a method for determining a bundle of orders for combined shipping, the method comprising: Step for checking information on multiple orders; A step of identifying a bundle set including bundles of at least two orders among the above plurality of orders; A step of identifying a plurality of routes including a route set corresponding to each bundle of the bundle set, wherein the route set includes routes identified based on a pick-up location and a drop-off location of each of the at least two orders included in each bundle of the bundle set; A step of identifying at least one route that satisfies a route level condition from the plurality of routes; and A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising a step of determining a bundle for merged delivery from one or more bundles corresponding to at least one route.

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