Method for providing parcel sorting information, and electronic device and computer-readable recording medium for supporting same
The method and device address barcode reading challenges in automated sorting by employing multiple identifiers and adaptive work modes, ensuring reliable and efficient parcel sorting.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- COUPANG CORP
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-08
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-16
AI Technical Summary
Automated parcel sorting systems struggle with reliable barcode reading due to barcode degradation or damage, leading to sorting inaccuracies.
A method and electronic device that utilize multiple identifiers and adaptive work modes to ensure reliable sorting, including providing information to sorters based on the reading of different identifiers and handling non-reading or communication failures.
Ensures reliable parcel sorting by dynamically adapting to barcode quality issues and communication failures, enhancing sorting accuracy and efficiency.
Smart Images

Figure KR2025020952_16072026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Method for providing sorting information of a parcel, and an electronic device and computer-readable recording medium supporting the same
[0001] Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method for providing sorting information of a parcel and an electronic device supporting the same.
[0002] In response to advancements in e-commerce platforms, technologies are being proposed to enhance the delivery process of goods. For example, an automated device has been proposed that sorts goods based on predefined sorting information so that goods collected at a specific regional hub are moved to a chute assigned to a target sub-regional hub. However, since this automated device obtains sorting information by reading the barcode on the label attached to the goods, sorting cannot be performed reliably if the quality of the barcode is degraded. For instance, if the barcode is distorted (e.g., warped) due to the characteristics of the product's packaging material, or if the barcode is damaged by foreign substances on the label surface, the automated device may be unable to read the barcode.
[0003] The foregoing is provided as background technology for the purpose of aiding understanding of the present disclosure, and no claim or determination is made as to whether it can be applied as prior art related to the present disclosure.
[0004] The present disclosure provides a method for providing sorting information of a parcel and an electronic device supporting the same, for solving the above-mentioned problem.
[0005] The technical problems that this disclosure aims to solve are not limited to those described above, and other unmentioned problems will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the various embodiments described below.
[0006] The present disclosure may be implemented in various ways, including methods, electronic devices, and / or computer programs stored on a readable recording medium.
[0007] A method for providing sorting information of a parcel executed by at least one processor according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include: providing first information to the sorter to be used for sorting the parcel based on the reading of the first identifier by the sorter in the first work mode at a time prior to the sorter related to sorting the parcel operating in a first work mode that reads a first identifier among a plurality of identifiers included in the label of the parcel; obtaining second information from the sorter based on the reading of the second identifier by the sorter in the second work mode at a time when the sorter operates in a second work mode that reads a second identifier among a plurality of identifiers; and, in response to obtaining the second information, providing third information to the sorter to be used for sorting the parcel based on the reading of the second identifier by the sorter in the second work mode.
[0008] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the step of providing first information to a sorter may include the step of providing first information, in which destination information of a parse and suit information are mapped, to a sorter.
[0009] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for providing sorting information of a parcel may further include the step of providing a sorter with fourth information that defines the priority of a plurality of suit information mapped to the destination information of the parcel at a time prior to the sorter operating in a first work mode.
[0010] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the step of providing third information to a sorter may include the step of providing third information representing destination information of a parse to a sorter.
[0011] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for providing sorting information of a parcel may further include the step of providing a sorter with fifth information to be used for sorting a parcel based on the second identifier reading of a sorter operating in a third work mode that reads a second identifier at a time prior to the sorter operating in a first work mode.
[0012] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for providing sorting information of a parcel may further include the step of providing a sorter with sixth information defining priorities for a first work mode, a second work mode, and a third work mode at a time prior to the sorter operating in a first work mode.
[0013] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the sorter of the second work mode is based on the first identifier non-reading of the sorter of the first work mode, and the sorter of the third work mode may be based on a communication failure of the sorter of the second work mode.
[0014] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the step of obtaining second information from a sorter may include receiving an API request containing second information from the sorter.
[0015] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the step of providing third information to a sorter may include the step of transmitting an API response containing the third information to the sorter.
[0016] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for providing sorting information of a parcel may further include the step of obtaining seventh information, including a sorting log of a parcel, from a sorter.
[0017] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for providing sorting information of a parse may further include the step of recording the seventh information in a first database of a first system and the step of recording the seventh information in a second database of a second system.
[0018] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the step of recording in a second database may include the step of transmitting an API request including the seventh information to a second system.
[0019] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the step of recording in a second database may include the step of issuing a KAFKA message containing the seventh information to a second system.
[0020] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a computer-readable recording medium may be provided for storing instructions for executing a method of providing sorting information of a parcel on a computer.
[0021] An electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a memory for storing instructions and at least one processor, and when the instructions are executed by at least one processor, the electronic device may provide to the sorter first information to be used for sorting the parcel based on the reading of the first identifier by the sorter in the first work mode at a time prior to the sorter in which the sorter in relation to sorting the parcel operates in a first work mode in which the sorter reads the first identifier among a plurality of identifiers included in the label of the parcel, and at a time when the sorter operates in a second work mode in which the sorter reads the second identifier among a plurality of identifiers, obtain second information based on the reading of the second identifier by the sorter in the second work mode from the sorter, and in response to obtaining the second information, provide to the sorter third information to be used for sorting the parcel based on the reading of the second identifier by the sorter in the second work mode.
[0022] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a mechanism for sorting a parcel in various contexts based on a plurality of unique identifiers included in the label of the parcel may be provided.
[0023] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a mechanism may be provided that can dynamically provide information related to the reading of each of a plurality of unique identifiers by considering various contexts.
[0024] The effects of the present disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description in the claims.
[0025] Various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings below, and identical or similar reference numbers may be assigned to identical or corresponding components in connection with the description of the drawings.
[0026] FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating an exemplary electronic device in a network environment according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating, exemplarily, an information transmission and reception flow between a logistics automation system and a vendor system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0028] FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating an exemplary label of a parcel according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0029] FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating, in an exemplary manner, a first user interface supported by a logistics automation system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0030] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary second user interface supported by a logistics automation system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0031] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating, in an exemplary manner, a third user interface supported by a logistics automation system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0032] FIG. 7 is a drawing illustrating, by way of example, a first system and a second system of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0033] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating, exemplarily, a method for providing sorting information of a parcel according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0034] Hereinafter, specific details for implementing the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. However, in the following description, specific descriptions regarding widely known functions or configurations will be omitted if there is a risk that the gist of the present disclosure may be unnecessarily obscured.
[0035] In the attached drawings, identical or corresponding components are assigned the same reference numerals. Additionally, in the description of the following embodiments, the description of identical or corresponding components may be omitted. However, even if a description of a component is omitted, it is not intended that such component is not included in any embodiment.
[0036] The advantages and features of the disclosed embodiments and the methods for achieving them will become clear by referring to the embodiments described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below but may be implemented in various different forms, and the embodiments provided are merely to make the present disclosure complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention.
[0037] The terms used in this disclosure will be briefly explained, and the disclosed embodiments will be described in detail. The terms used in this disclosure have been selected to be as generally used as possible, taking into account their functions within the disclosure; however, these terms may vary depending on the intent of those skilled in the art, case law, the emergence of new technologies, etc. Additionally, in specific cases, terms have been arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in such cases, their meanings will be described in detail in the relevant description of the invention. Therefore, the terms used in this disclosure should be defined not merely by their names, but based on their meanings and the content throughout this disclosure.
[0038] In this disclosure, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly specifies them as singular. Additionally, plural expressions include singular expressions unless the context clearly specifies them as plural. Throughout this disclosure, when a part is described as including a certain component, this means that, unless specifically stated otherwise, it does not exclude other components but may include additional components.
[0039] As used in this disclosure, the terms “module” or “part” refer to software or hardware components, and the “module” or “part” performs certain roles. However, the meaning of “module” or “part” is not limited to software or hardware. The “module” or “part” may be configured to reside in an addressable storage medium or configured to run on one or more processors. Accordingly, as an example, the “module” or “part” may include components such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components, and task components, and at least one of processes, functions, attributes, procedures, subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuits, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, or variables. The components and the functions provided within the “module” or “part” may be combined into a smaller number of components and “modules” or “parts,” or further separated into additional components and “modules” or “parts.”
[0040] According to one embodiment, a 'module' or 'part' may be implemented as a processor and memory. The term 'processor' should be broadly interpreted to include a general-purpose processor, a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a controller, a microcontroller, a state machine, etc. In some environments, the term 'processor' may refer to an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc. The term 'processor' may also refer to a combination of processing devices, such as, for example, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a combination of multiple microprocessors, a combination of one or more microprocessors combined with a DSP core, or any other combination of such configurations. Additionally, the term 'memory' should be broadly interpreted to include any electronic component capable of storing electronic information. 'Memory' may refer to various types of processor-readable media, such as Random Access Memory (RAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), Non-Volatile Random Access Memory (NVRAM), Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM), Erasable-Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), Electrically Erasable PROM (EEPROM), Flash Memory, Magnetic or Marked Data Storage Devices, Registers, etc. If a processor can read information from memory and / or write information to memory, the memory is said to be in an electronic communication state with the processor. Memory integrated into a processor is in an electronic communication state with the processor.
[0041] The terms 1, 2, A, B, (a), (b), etc. used in this disclosure are used merely to distinguish one component from another, and the essence, order, or sequence of said component is not limited by such terms.
[0042] Where in this disclosure it is stated that one component is 'connected,' 'coupled,' or 'connected' to another component, it should be understood that the component may be directly connected or connected to the other component, but that another component may also be 'connected,' 'coupled,' or 'connected' between each component.
[0043] As used in this disclosure, “comprising” and / or “comprising” does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other components, steps, actions, and / or elements to the mentioned components, steps, actions, and / or elements.
[0044] FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating an exemplary electronic device in a network environment according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 1, an electronic device (100) according to one embodiment may include various types of devices capable of storing, providing, and executing computer-executable programs and data related to a data processing service (e.g., a sorter that performs sorting of parcels or a vendor system connected to said sorter that provides information to be used for sorting parcels). For example, the electronic device (100) may include at least one of a system device, a server device, a cloud service-based distributed computing device, or a mobile communication device.
[0046] In one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may communicate with at least one external electronic device (300) through a network (200). In various embodiments, the network (200) may be configured, depending on the installation environment, as a wired network including at least one of Ethernet, a wired home network (power line communication), a telephone line communication device, or RS-serial communication, a mobile communication network, a wireless network including at least one of a WLAN (wireless LAN), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or ZigBee, or a combination of a wired network and a wireless network. In various embodiments, the method of communication between the electronic device (100) and at least one external electronic device (300) is not limited and may include a communication method utilizing a communication network supported by the network (200) (e.g., a mobile communication network, a wired internet, a wireless internet, a broadcasting network and / or a satellite network), as well as a short-range wireless communication method between the electronic device (100) and at least one external electronic device (300).
[0047] In one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may include components related to the execution of a data processing service. For example, the electronic device (100) may include a memory (110), a display (120), a communication module (130), and at least one processor (140). According to various embodiments, at least some of the components included in the electronic device (100) may be connected to each other via at least one of a bus, a general purpose input and output (GPIO), a serial peripheral interface (SPI), or a mobile industry processor interface (MIPI) to exchange commands, signals, data, and / or information.
[0048] In one embodiment, the memory (110) may include a non-transient recording medium readable by any computer. For example, the memory (110) may include a non-perishable permanent mass storage device such as ROM (read-only memory), a disk drive, an SSD (solid-state drive), and / or flash memory. In various embodiments, a non-perishable permanent mass storage device such as ROM, an SSD, flash memory, and / or a disk drive may be included in the electronic device (100) as a separate permanent storage device distinct from the memory (110).
[0049] In one embodiment, the memory (110) may store an operating system, at least one application program, and / or at least one program code. In various embodiments, these software components may be loaded from a computer-readable recording medium distinct from the memory (110) (e.g., a floppy drive, disk, tape, DVD / CD-ROM drive, and / or memory card that can be directly connected to the electronic device (100). Alternatively, these software components may be loaded into the memory (110) via a communication module (130). For example, at least one application program may be loaded into the memory (110) based on a computer program installed by files provided by a file distribution system over a network (200).
[0050] According to one embodiment, the memory (110) may store instructions related to the functional operation of the components of the electronic device (100). For example, the memory (110) may store instructions that cause the components of the electronic device (100) to perform a defined functional operation when executed by at least one processor (140).
[0051] In one embodiment, the display (120) may be exposed to the outside of the electronic device (100) in at least a portion to visually provide various content. For example, the display (120) may output (or display) an execution screen and / or user interface of at least one application included in the electronic device (100). In various embodiments, the display (120) may include a touch panel (or touch sensing circuit) and may detect various types of user input based on the touch panel and output a corresponding electrical signal. According to various embodiments, the display (120) may be configured as an input / output device independent of the electronic device (100). In this case, the electronic device (100) may be connected to various types of input / output devices (e.g., a display device, a mouse device, and / or a keyboard device) through an input / output interface.
[0052] In one embodiment, the communication module (130) may provide a configuration or function for the electronic device (100) to communicate with at least one external electronic device (300) through a network (200). For example, the communication module (130) may establish communication (or a communication channel) with at least one external electronic device (300) according to a defined communication protocol and perform the transmission and reception of commands, signals, data, and / or information through said communication. According to various embodiments, the communication module (130) may include a wireless communication module (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, and / or a GNSS (global navigation satellite system) communication module) and a wired communication module (e.g., a LAN (local area network) communication module and / or a power line communication module). These wireless communication modules and wired communication modules may be composed of separate chips or integrated into a single chip.
[0053] In one embodiment, at least one processor (140) may be configured to process instructions of a computer program provided by a memory (110) and / or a communication module (130) by performing basic arithmetic, logic, and input / output operations. For example, at least one processor (140) may be configured to execute instructions received according to program code stored in memory (110) and / or instructions received from at least one external electronic device (300) through a network (200) with the communication module (130). The function and / or operation of an electronic device (100) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure described below may be implemented by at least one processor (140) executing instructions (or code) of a computer program.
[0054] According to one embodiment, at least one processor (140) can execute computer program code (or instructions) loaded into memory (110) to execute an application related to a data processing service. In one embodiment, while executing an application related to a data processing service, at least one processor (140) can receive instructions, signals, data and / or information transmitted from at least one external electronic device (300) through a communication module (130), and can process the instructions, signals, data and / or information and store them in memory (110). Additionally, at least one processor (140) can transmit instructions, signals, data and / or information generated while executing an application related to a data processing service to at least one external electronic device (300) through the communication module (130).
[0055] FIG. 2 is a diagram exemplarily illustrating an information transmission and reception flow between a logistics automation system and a vendor system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a diagram exemplarily illustrating a label of a parcel according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0056] Referring to FIG. 2, an electronic device (100) according to one embodiment may include a logistics automation system (610) for managing at least one automated sorter (301) placed at a specific regional base (e.g., a hub and / or camp). For example, the electronic device (100) may include a logistics automation system (610) that communicates with at least one automated sorter (301) configured to sort parcels, which are individual package units of goods collected at the said regional base.
[0057] According to various embodiments, at least one automated sorter (301) may be connected to a vendor system that manages and / or processes data related to the functional operation of said automated sorter (301). For example, the at least one automated sorter (301) and the vendor system may be connected one-to-one, or a group of multiple automated sorters (301) may be connected to a single vendor system. In this regard, the logistics automation system (610) of the electronic device (100) may communicate directly with the at least one automated sorter (301) or communicate through the relay of the vendor system. Furthermore, the provision of signals, data, and / or information from the logistics automation system (610) to the at least one automated sorter (301) as described in the various embodiments of the present disclosure below may also be interpreted as providing signals, data, and / or information to the vendor system connected to said automated sorter (301).
[0058] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, at least one automated sorter (301) may operate in a first work mode (310) that reads a first unique identifier (410) among a plurality of unique identifiers included in the label (400) of the parcel and sorts the corresponding parcel based on related information. According to various embodiments, each of the plurality of unique identifiers included in the label (400) of the parcel may be implemented as a barcode, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the plurality of unique identifiers may be implemented as at least one of a barcode, a QR code, or an RFID tag. Alternatively, at least one automated sorter (301) may operate in a second work mode (320) or a third work mode (330) that reads a second unique identifier (420) that is distinct from the first unique identifier (410) among the plurality of unique identifiers included in the label (400) of the parcel and sorts the corresponding parcel based on related information. According to one embodiment, the second work mode (320) and the third work mode (330) of at least one automated sorter (301) may be distinguished based on whether there is interaction between the automated sorter (301) of the said work mode and the logistics automation system (610). In various embodiments, the third work mode (330) of at least one automated sorter (301) may be omitted if the automated sorter (301) is placed at a specific type of regional base (e.g., a hub).
[0059] According to one embodiment, at least one automated sorter (301) may be switched between a first work mode (310), a second work mode (320), and / or a third work mode (330) based on a specified sequence depending on various contexts. For example, at least one automated sorter (301) may be switched to the second work mode (320) in a non-reading context where the first unique identifier (410) is not readable while operating in the first work mode (310). Additionally, for example, at least one automated sorter (301) may be switched to the third work mode (330) in a context where a communication failure with the logistics automation system (610) (or electronic device (100)) occurs while operating in the second work mode (320).
[0060] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may communicate at least temporarily with at least one automated sorter (301) to provide information related to sorting a parcel to the said automated sorter (301). For example, the electronic device (100) may provide work mode information (10) to at least one automated sorter (301) using a logistics automation system (610) at a time prior to the time when at least one automated sorter (301) operates in a first work mode (310). According to one embodiment, the work mode information (10) may define a first work mode (310), a second work mode (320), and / or a third work mode (330) in which at least one automated sorter (301) can operate to sort a parcel, and may include information regarding the priority (e.g., a switching sequence) of said first work mode (310), second work mode (320), and / or third work mode (330).
[0061] Additionally, for example, the electronic device (100) may provide first routing information (20) to at least one automated sorter (301) using a logistics automation system (610) at a time prior to at least one automated sorter (301) operating in a first work mode (310). According to one embodiment, the first routing information (20) may include information that can be used for sorting a parcel based on a second unique identifier (420) reading while at least one automated sorter (301) is operating in a third work mode (330), for example, destination information to which the parcel is to be shipped or delivered.
[0062] Additionally, for example, the electronic device (100) may provide chute mapping information (30) to at least one automated sorter (301) using a logistics automation system (610) at a time prior to at least one automated sorter (301) operating in a first work mode (310). According to one embodiment, the chute mapping information (30) may include information that can be used for sorting a parcel based on a first unique identifier (410) reading while at least one automated sorter (301) is operating in a first work mode, for example, destination information represented by the reading data of the first unique identifier (410) and chute information mapped to said destination information.
[0063] According to various embodiments, the electronic device (100) may provide work mode information (10), first routing information (20), and / or suit mapping information (30) in parallel at substantially the same time before at least one automated sorter (301) operates in the first work mode (310). Alternatively, the electronic device (100) may provide work mode information (10), first routing information (20), and / or suit mapping information (30) sequentially according to a specified sequence at different times before at least one automated sorter (301) operates in the first work mode (310).
[0064] According to various embodiments, the electronic device (100) may transmit work mode information (10), first routing information (20) and / or suite mapping information (30) to at least one automated sorter (301) via asynchronous API communication at a time prior to at least one automated sorter (301) operating in a first work mode (310). Alternatively, the electronic device (100) may receive an API request from at least one automated sorter (301) at a time prior to at least one automated sorter (301) operating in a first work mode (310), and in response thereto transmit an API response including work mode information (10), first routing information (20) and / or suite mapping information (30) to at least one automated sorter (301).
[0065] In one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may interact with at least one automated sorter (301) using a logistics automation system (610) while at least one automated sorter (301) is operating in a second work mode (320). For example, the electronic device (100) may receive invoice information (40), which is reading data of a second unique identifier (420), from at least one automated sorter (301) operating in the second work mode (320). For example, the electronic device (100) may receive an API request from at least one automated sorter (301) containing invoice information (40) in a body using a logistics automation system (610). Additionally, the electronic device (100) may send an API response containing second routing information (50) in a body to at least one automated sorter (301) in response to the API request of at least one automated sorter (301). In one embodiment, the second routing information (50) may include information that can be used for sorting a parcel based on reading a second unique identifier (420) while at least one automated sorter (301) is operating in a second work mode (320), for example, destination information to which the parcel is to be shipped or delivered.
[0066] Based on the above description, the electronic device (100) can support parcel sorting of at least one automated sorter (301) operating in the first work mode (310) by providing suit mapping information (30) to be used for sorting parcels at a time prior to the time when at least one automated sorter (301) operates in the first work mode (310). Additionally, the electronic device (100) can support parcel sorting of at least one automated sorter (301) operating in the second work mode (320) by providing second routing information (50) to be used for sorting parcels to at least one automated sorter (301) operating in the second work mode (320) according to a specific context (e.g., a non-reading issue for the first unique identifier (410). Additionally, the electronic device (100) can support parcel sorting of at least one automated sorter (301) operating in a third work mode (330) according to a specific context (e.g., communication failure issue of the automated sorter (301)) by providing first routing information (20) to be used for sorting parcels at a time prior to when at least one automated sorter (301) operates in a first work mode (310).
[0067] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary first user interface supported by a logistics automation system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary second user interface supported by a logistics automation system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0068] Referring to FIG. 4, an electronic device according to one embodiment (e.g., the electronic device (100) of FIG. 1 and / or FIG. 2) may receive a user input that inputs work mode information (10) through a first user interface (510) supported by a logistics automation system (e.g., the logistics automation system (610) of FIG. 2). For example, the electronic device (100) may receive a user input that defines, through the first user interface (510), at least one work mode (e.g., a first work mode (310), a second work mode (320), and / or a third work mode (330)) to be operated by at least one automation sorter (e.g., the automation sorter (301) of FIG. 2) in the sorting process of a parcel according to priority (or a switching sequence). Additionally, the electronic device (100) may receive user input through the first user interface (510) defining the type (411, 421 and / or 423) of a unique identifier (e.g., barcode) associated with at least one work mode. According to various embodiments, the type (411, 421 and / or 423) of the unique identifier may represent a unique identifier to be read according to the corresponding work mode (e.g., the first unique identifier (410) or the second unique identifier (420) of FIG. 3). Alternatively, the type (411, 421 and / or 423) of the unique identifier may represent data obtained when reading a unique identifier mapped to the corresponding work mode.
[0069] In one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may receive user input selecting a first graphic object (511) through a first user interface (510), and in response, may record (or store) defined work mode information (10) in an internal database (e.g., the first database (620) of FIG. 7) and transmit it to at least one automated sorter (301) via API communication.
[0070] Referring to FIG. 5, an electronic device (100) according to one embodiment may receive user input for inputting chute mapping information (30) through a second user interface (520) supported by a logistics automation system (610). For example, the electronic device (100) may receive user input for inputting destination information (413) of a parcel to be sorted by at least one automation sorter (301) and chute information (415) mapped to the destination information (413) through the second user interface (520).
[0071] In one embodiment, when the electronic device (100) receives user input selecting a second graphic object (521) through a second user interface (510), it may record defined suit mapping information (30) in an internal database (e.g., a first database (620)) and transmit it to at least one automated sorter (301) via API communication. According to one embodiment, at least one automated sorter (301) receiving suit mapping information (30) from the electronic device (100) may perform sorting of the parsels based on the suit mapping information (30) while operating in a first work mode (310). For example, at least one automated sorter (301) of the first work mode (310) can acquire reading data by reading a first unique identifier (e.g., the first unique identifier (410) of FIG. 3) included in the label of the parcel, and can identify destination information (413) represented by the reading data in the suite mapping information (30) to identify the suite information (415) mapped thereto, i.e., the suite to sort the parcel.
[0072] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, an electronic device (100) according to one embodiment may receive user input that inputs sorting mode information (11) through a first user interface (510). In this regard, the sorting mode information (11) may be used to select one of a plurality of suit information (e.g., Suit 207 and Suit 208) mapped to each of the plurality of destination information (e.g., Suit 207 and Suit 208) or to determine the priority of the plurality of suit information when the reading data obtained by at least one automated sorter (301) of the first work mode (310) reading the first unique identifier (410) represents a plurality of destination information (e.g., Region 7 and Region 8 of FIG. 5) on the suit mapping information (30). For example, when the sorting mode information (11) is defined as the first sorting mode, at least one automated sorter (301) may select suit information corresponding to a suit relatively adjacent to the automated sorter (301) among the plurality of suit information. Additionally, for example, if the sorting mode information (11) is defined as a second sorting mode, at least one automated sorter (301) can sequentially select the plurality of suit information once each according to the order in which the plurality of suits corresponding to each of the plurality of suit information are relatively adjacent to the automated sorter (301). Additionally, for example, if the sorting mode information (11) is defined as a third sorting mode, at least one automated sorter (301) can select the suit information corresponding to the suit relatively adjacent to the automated sorter (301) among the plurality of suit information, and if the suit is overflowed by the parsel, it can select the suit information corresponding to the next adjacent suit in the order.
[0073] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary third user interface supported by a logistics automation system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary first system and a second system of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0074] Referring to FIG. 6, an electronic device according to one embodiment (e.g., the electronic device (100) of FIG. 1 and / or FIG. 2) may receive user input that inputs first routing information (20) and / or second routing information (50) through a third user interface (530) supported by a logistics automation system (e.g., the logistics automation system (610) of FIG. 2). For example, the electronic device (100) may receive user input that inputs second routing information (50) to be included in the body of an API response to be transmitted in accordance with an API request of said automation sorter (301) when at least one automation sorter (e.g., the automation sorter (301) of FIG. 2) operates in a second work mode (320) through the third user interface (530). Additionally, for example, the electronic device (100) can receive user input through the third user interface (530) for inputting first routing information (20) to be used when parcel sorting of at least one automated sorter (301) when the automated sorter (301) is operating in the third work mode (330).
[0075] In one embodiment, when the electronic device (100) receives user input selecting a third graphic object (531) through a third user interface (530), it can transmit first routing information (20) defined in at least one automated sorter (301) of the third work mode (330) to at least one automated sorter (301) via API communication. According to one embodiment, at least one automated sorter (301) receiving the first routing information (20) from the electronic device (100) can perform sorting of the parsels based on the first routing information (20) while operating in the third work mode (330). For example, at least one automated sorter (301) of the third work mode (330) can read a second unique identifier (e.g., the second unique identifier (420) of FIG. 3) included in the label of the parsels to obtain invoice information as reading data, and can identify the first routing information (20) corresponding to the invoice information. Additionally, at least one automated sorter (301) of the third work mode (330) can identify destination information represented by the first routing information (20) in the suit mapping information (e.g., suit mapping information (30) of FIG. 2 and / or FIG. 5) to identify suit information mapped thereto, i.e., suit to sort the parsels.
[0076] In one embodiment, when the electronic device (100) receives user input selecting a third graphic object (531) through a third user interface (530), it may provide second routing information (50) defined in at least one automation sorter (301) of a second work mode (320) to a designated system. In this regard, referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the electronic device (100) may include a first system (150a) including a logistics automation system (610) and a second system (150b) including a delivery system (640) and / or a hub management system (650). In one embodiment, when the electronic device (100) receives user input selecting a third graphic object (531) through a third user interface (530), it may transmit second routing information (50) defined in the logistics automation system (610) of the first system (150a) via API communication to the delivery system (640) and / or hub management system (650) of the second system (150b). In this case, the delivery system (640) and / or hub management system (650) may at least temporarily store the second routing information (50) in an internal storage device. According to various embodiments, the electronic device (100) may transmit the second routing information (50) to the delivery system (640) and / or hub management system (650) of the second system (150b) regardless of user input regarding the third graphic object (531). For example, even if the electronic device (100) does not receive user input selecting a third graphic object (531), if it receives user input inputting second routing information (50) through the third user interface (530), it can transmit the second routing information (50) to the delivery system (640) and / or hub management system (650) via API communication.
[0077] In one embodiment, when the electronic device (100) receives an API request from at least one automation sorter (301) of the second work mode (320) that includes invoice information, which is reading data of the second unique identifier (420), in the body, it may send an API response (e.g., configuration information) that includes second routing information (50) in the body to at least one automation sorter (301) in response thereto. In this regard, the electronic device (100) may use a logistics automation system (610) (or a first system (150a)) to send an API request requesting the second routing information (50) to a delivery system (640) and / or a hub management system (650), and may receive an API response that includes the second routing information (50) from the delivery system (640) and / or the hub management system (650) in response thereto.
[0078] In one embodiment, at least one automated sorter (301) of a second work mode (320) that receives second routing information (50) from an electronic device (100) can perform sorting of parsels based on the second routing information (50). For example, at least one automated sorter (301) of the second work mode (320) can identify destination information represented by the second routing information (50) in the chute mapping information (30) and identify chute information mapped thereto, i.e., the chute to sort the parsels.
[0079] According to one embodiment, an electronic device (100) may receive log information including sorting results of a parcel from at least one automated sorter (301) (or a vendor system (303) connected to the automated sorter (301)) of a first work mode (e.g., the first work mode (310) of FIG. 2), a second work mode (320), or a third work mode (330). For example, the electronic device (100) may receive log information from at least one automated sorter (301) via API communication. According to various embodiments, API communication between at least one automated sorter (301) and the electronic device (100) may be relayed by a control system (305) connected to at least one automated sorter (301) and the corresponding vendor system (303) to manage and / or monitor data related to the sorting of the parcel.
[0080] In one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may, in response to receiving log information from at least one automated sorter (301), record metadata related to said log information (e.g., information on the transmission time of the log information, the sorter ID that transmitted the log information, and / or the work mode information of the sorter that transmitted the log information) in a first database (620) of a MySQL platform included in a first system (150a). Additionally, the electronic device (100) may, in response to receiving log information from at least one automated sorter (301), record log data in a second database (630) of an ES (elastic search) platform included in the first system (150a) and / or a third database (660) included in a second system (150b). In this regard, the electronic device (100) may use the logistics automation system (610) (or the first system (150a)) to send an API request containing log data to the second system (150b), and in this case, the log data may be stored in the third database (660). Alternatively, the electronic device (100) may generate the log data as a KAFKA message so that various pipelines consume the KAFKA message, and in this case, the log data may be subscribed to by the second system (150b) and stored in the third database (660). According to various embodiments, the delivery system (640) and / or hub management system (650) may update the status information and / or location information of the parcel sorted by at least one automation sorter (301) based on the log data stored in the third database (660).
[0081] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating, exemplarily, a method for providing sorting information of a parcel according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0082] The steps of the method (800) for providing sorting information of a parcel described in the embodiment of FIG. 8 may be performed sequentially or non-sequentially. For example, the order of execution of the steps described in the embodiment of FIG. 8 may be changed, some steps may be performed repeatedly, or at least two steps may be performed in parallel. Additionally, at least some of the steps described in the embodiment of FIG. 8 may include operations identical or similar to the operations of the electronic device described through the preceding drawings, and redundant descriptions of identical or similar operations may be omitted below.
[0083] Referring to FIG. 8, in step S810, an electronic device according to one embodiment may provide to the at least one automated sorter first information to be used for sorting a parcel based on the reading of the first unique identifier by the at least one automated sorter in the first work mode, prior to the time when the at least one automated sorter operates in a first work mode in which it reads the first unique identifier included in the label of the parcel. For example, the electronic device may provide suit mapping information that can be used for reading reading data obtained according to the reading of the first unique identifier while the at least one automated sorter is operating in the first work mode. In one embodiment, the suit mapping information may include destination information of the parcel indicated by the reading data of the first unique identifier and suit information mapped to the destination information.
[0084] In step S820, an electronic device according to one embodiment may obtain second information based on the reading of the second unique identifier from at least one automated sorter in the second work mode when at least one automated sorter operates in a second work mode that reads the second unique identifier included in the label of the parcel. For example, the electronic device may receive an API request from at least one automated sorter that includes invoice information, which is reading data of the second unique identifier, in the body.
[0085] In step S830, an electronic device according to one embodiment may provide to at least one automated sorter third information to be used for sorting a parsel based on reading a second unique identifier of said at least one automated sorter in response to obtaining second information from at least one automated sorter of the second work mode. For example, the electronic device may transmit to at least one automated sorter an API response containing second routing information defined for the second work mode in its body. In this case, at least one automated sorter operating in the second work mode may identify destination information of a parsel represented by the second routing information in the shoot mapping information and identify shoot information mapped thereto.
[0086] The method described above may be provided as a computer program stored on a computer-readable recording medium for execution on a computer. The medium may continuously store a program executable by a computer, or temporarily store it for execution or download. Additionally, the medium may be various recording or storage means in the form of a single or multiple hardware components combined, and may not be limited to a medium directly connected to a computer system but may exist distributed over a network. Examples of media may include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes; optical recording media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs; magneto-optical media such as floptical disks; and media configured to store program instructions, including ROM, RAM, and flash memory. Furthermore, other examples of media may include recording or storage media managed by app stores that distribute applications or sites and servers that supply or distribute various other software.
[0087] The methods, operations, or techniques of the present disclosure may be implemented by various means. For example, these techniques may be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof. Those skilled in the art will understand that the various exemplary logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithmic steps described in connection with the disclosure herein may be implemented in electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of both. To clearly illustrate such interchangeability between hardware and software, various exemplary components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been generally described above in terms of their functional aspects. Whether such functions are implemented in hardware or in software depends on the design requirements imposed on the specific application and the overall system. Those skilled in the art may implement the functions described in various ways for each specific application, but such implementations should not be construed as departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0088] In a hardware implementation, the processing units used to perform the techniques may be implemented in one or more ASICs, DSPs, digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, electronic devices, other electronic units designed to perform the functions described in this disclosure, computers, or a combination thereof.
[0089] Accordingly, the various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the present disclosure may be implemented or performed by any combination of general-purpose processors, DSPs, ASICs, FPGAs or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or those designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but alternatively, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, for example, a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors coupled with a DSP core, or any other combination of configurations.
[0090] In firmware and / or software implementations, techniques may be implemented as instructions stored on a computer-readable medium such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), flash memory, compact disc (CD), magnetic or marked data storage device, etc. The instructions may be executable by one or more processors, and may cause the processor(s) to perform specific aspects of the functions described in this disclosure.
[0091] When implemented in software, the techniques described above may be stored on a computer-readable medium as one or more instructions or code, or transmitted through a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media include both computer storage media and communication media, including any medium that facilitates the transmission of a computer program from one place to another. Storage media may be any available media accessible by a computer. As a non-limiting example, such computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium accessible by a computer that can be used to transfer or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures. Additionally, any connection is appropriately referred to as a computer-readable medium.
[0092] For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair cable, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair cable, digital subscriber line, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included within the definition of a medium. As used herein, disks and discs include CDs, laser discs, optical discs, DVDs (digital versatile discs), floppy disks, and Blu-ray discs, wherein disks usually play data magnetically, whereas discs play data optically using a laser. The above combinations should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.
[0093] The software module may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other known form of storage medium. An exemplary storage medium may be connected to a processor so that the processor can read information from the storage medium or write information to the storage medium. Alternatively, the storage medium may be integrated into the processor. The processor and the storage medium may exist within an ASIC. The ASIC may exist within a user terminal. Alternatively, the processor and the storage medium may exist as separate components within the user terminal.
[0094] Although the embodiments described above have been described as utilizing aspects of the subject matter disclosed herein in one or more standalone computer systems, the present disclosure is not limited thereto and may be implemented in conjunction with any computing environment, such as a network or a distributed computing environment. Furthermore, aspects of the subject matter in the present disclosure may be implemented in a plurality of processing chips or devices, and storage may be similarly affected across a plurality of devices. Such devices may include PCs, network servers, and portable devices.
[0095] Although the present disclosure has been described in relation to some embodiments, various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as understood by a person skilled in the art to which the invention of the present disclosure pertains. Furthermore, such modifications and changes should be considered to fall within the scope of the claims appended to the present disclosure.
Claims
1. A method for providing sorting information of a parcel, executed by at least one processor, wherein A step of providing to the sorter, prior to the point in time before the sorter related to the sorting of the parcel operates in a first work mode that reads a first identifier among a plurality of identifiers included in the label of the parcel, first information to be used for sorting the parcel based on the reading of the first identifier by the sorter in the first work mode; At the time when the sorter operates in a second work mode that reads a second identifier among the plurality of identifiers, a step of obtaining second information based on the reading of the second identifier by the sorter in the second work mode from the sorter; and A method for providing sorting information of a parcel, comprising the step of providing to the sorter third information to be used for sorting the parcel based on the second identifier reading of the sorter of the second work mode in response to acquiring the second information.
2. In Paragraph 1, The step of providing the above first information to the sorter is: A method for providing sorting information of a parse, comprising the step of providing the first information, which is mapped with destination information and chute information of the parse, to the sorter.
3. In Paragraph 2, A method for providing sorting information of a parse, further comprising the step of providing a fourth information to the sorter that defines the priority of a plurality of suit information mapped to the destination information of the parse at a time prior to the sorter operating in a first work mode.
4. In Paragraph 3, The step of providing the above third information to the sorter is, A method for providing sorting information of a parse, comprising the step of providing the third information representing destination information of the parse to the sorter.
5. In Paragraph 1, A method for providing sorting information of a parcel, further comprising the step of providing to the sorter a fifth information to be used for sorting the parcel based on the reading of the second identifier by a sorter operating in a third work mode that reads the second identifier at a time prior to the sorter operating in a first work mode.
6. In Paragraph 5, A method for providing sorting information of a parse, further comprising the step of providing sixth information defining priorities for the first work mode, the second work mode, and the third work mode to the sorter at a time prior to the sorter operating in the first work mode.
7. In Paragraph 5, A method for providing sorting information of a parse, wherein the sorter of the second work mode is based on the first identifier non-reading of the sorter of the first work mode, and the sorter of the third work mode is based on the communication failure of the sorter of the second work mode.
8. In Paragraph 1, The step of obtaining the above second information from the sorter is, A method for providing sorting information of a parse, comprising the step of receiving an API request including the second information from the sorter.
9. In Paragraph 1, The step of providing the above third information to the sorter is, A method for providing sorting information of a parse, comprising the step of transmitting an API response containing the above-mentioned third information to the sorter.
10. In Paragraph 1, A method for providing sorting information of a parse, further comprising the step of obtaining seventh information including the sorting log of the parse from the sorter.
11. In Paragraph 10, The step of recording the above seventh information in the first database of the first system; and A method for providing sorting information of a parse, further comprising the step of recording the above-mentioned seventh information in the second database of the second system.
12. In Paragraph 11, The step of recording in the second database above is, A method for providing sorting information of a parse, comprising the step of transmitting an API request including the above-mentioned seventh information to the above-mentioned second system.
13. In Paragraph 11, The step of recording in the second database above is, A method for providing sorting information of a parse, comprising the step of issuing a KAFKA message containing the above-mentioned seventh information to the second system.
14. A computer-readable recording medium storing instructions for executing on a computer the method of providing sorting information of a parse according to any one of claims 1 to 13.
15. In electronic devices, Memory for storing instructions; and It includes at least one processor, When the above instructions are executed by the above at least one processor, the electronic device, At a time prior to the point in time before the sorter related to the sorting of the parcel operates in a first work mode that reads a first identifier among a plurality of identifiers included in the label of the parcel, the sorter provides first information to be used for sorting the parcel based on the reading of the first identifier by the sorter in the first work mode, and At the time when the sorter operates in a second work mode that reads a second identifier among the plurality of identifiers, second information based on the reading of the second identifier by the sorter in the second work mode is obtained from the sorter, and An electronic device that, in response to acquiring the second information, provides the sorter with third information to be used for sorting the parcel based on the second identifier reading of the sorter of the second work mode.