Automated Order Apparatus for Commodity Inventory Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated order systems for commodities in facilities face challenges in determining optimal order timing, leading to potential surplus inventory due to reliance on disposal modes alone, without considering usage and sales modes, which can result in inconvenient ordering and replenishment.
Innovation Solution
An automated order apparatus and method that utilize a processor and memory to determine the number of discarded containers/packages and inventory quantities, generating ordering data when thresholds are met, and allowing for cancellation of orders based on user input, thereby considering disposal, usage, and sales modes to improve timing and convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If automated order is done just when commodities enclosed in an individual pack are used up, then the ordering timing is simple and automatic, but the inventory of commodities held by the facility may become surplus
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces feedback mechanisms by reading IC tags at multiple points (disposal box when containers are discarded, depository when inventory is checked) and using this information to dynamically adjust ordering decisions. The processor compares discarded container counts against sales mode thresholds and checks current inventory levels before placing orders, preventing surplus accumulation while maintaining automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of order timing from a simple binary trigger (when container discarded) to a multi-parameter decision process considering: (1) number of discarded containers, (2) sales mode (individual vs. collective package), (3) current inventory quantity, and (4) usage patterns. This allows dynamic adjustment of ordering parameters to prevent both stockouts and surplus inventory.
2Device complexity
If automated order service only considers disposal mode of containers/packages, then the system is simple to implement, but it cannot determine optimal order timing for different sales and usage modes
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves multi-functionality by using a single automated order apparatus that handles multiple sales modes (individual packages and collective packages), multiple disposal scenarios, and multiple commodity types. The IC tag reading mechanism and processor work universally across different container types and sales modes, eliminating the need for separate systems while improving order timing precision through comprehensive data collection.
3Productivity
If the system places orders based on discarded container counts without checking current inventory, then ordering is fully automatic and fast, but unnecessary orders may be placed when inventory is still sufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by checking current inventory levels in the depository before placing orders, even though the primary trigger is container disposal. The processor reads IC tags from the depository to determine current stock, and only places orders when both the disposal threshold is met AND inventory is below the replenishment threshold. This preliminary inventory check prevents unnecessary orders while maintaining rapid automated response.
Data Source
AI summary
An automated order processing for order items registered in advance as commodities targeted for automated order service is performed. In the automated order processing, it is determined whether any container/package for the order items exists in the disposal box, based on internal status data of a disposal box or identification data on the contents of the container/package existing in the disposal box. If it is determined that any container/package for the order items exists in the disposal box, the number of discarded containers/packages for the order items existing in the disposal box is calculated. Then, it is determined whether the number of discarded containers/packages is equal to or larger than an upper threshold set according to a sales mode of the order items. If it is determined that the number of discarded containers/packages is equal to or larger than the upper threshold, ordering data of the order items is generated.