Automated Return Inspection Database System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems for handling returned items are inefficient due to subjective human inspections, lack of centralized management, and inadequate information sharing among terminals, leading to inconsistent decision-making and increased operational burdens for merchants during peak seasons.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented database system that processes returned items by selecting appropriate terminals for inspection, displaying images and queries, receiving responses, determining condition categories, and routing information through a network to facilitate consistent and efficient decision-making, utilizing a neural network to update return statuses based on determined conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If human workers inspect returned items to determine condition, then the merchant can assess item quality, but the process becomes time-consuming and produces inconsistent outcomes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecondition assessment accuracyVSAvoidinspection time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical human inspection process with an automated computer-based system that captures images of returned items and uses image processing algorithms to automatically determine item condition. This substitution eliminates human subjectivity and time constraints while maintaining or improving assessment accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service inspection where the returned item itself provides the information needed for condition assessment through automated image capture and analysis. The item's visual characteristics are processed by the system without requiring human intervention, making the inspection process autonomous and efficient.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If multiple workers inspect returned items independently, then more items can be processed, but decision-making becomes inconsistent due to different judgment standards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing volumeVSAvoiddecision consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies homogeneity by using a uniform automated inspection system for all returned items, ensuring that the same image capture and analysis algorithms are applied consistently across all inspections. This eliminates the variability introduced by different human workers having different judgment standards, while the system's parallel processing capability maintains high productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #33Homogeneity

3Reliability

If a centralized system is implemented to manage return inspections, then decision consistency improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecision consistencyVSAvoidsystem architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The centralized system is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both the inspection platform and the decision-making authority. It captures images, processes them through analysis algorithms, and directly determines condition categories and routing decisions, consolidating multiple functions into a single system that improves consistency without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If manual routing of returned items between terminals is used, then flexibility in task distribution is maintained, but information sharing and task coordination become inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetask routing flexibilityVSAvoidinformation sharing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where inspection results, item condition categories, and routing decisions are automatically communicated between terminals through a centralized database. This feedback loop ensures that information about returned items and their processing status is continuously updated and shared across the network, eliminating information loss while maintaining flexible routing through automated task assignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11727351B2Systems and methods for automated information collection and processing

Publication Date: 2023.08.15 COUPANG CORP

AI summary

A computer-implemented database system for processing a returned item may include a memory storing instructions and at least one processor configured to execute the instructions to perform a process. The process may include receiving information relating to a returned item and selecting a first terminal among a first group of terminals. The process may also include receiving, via a first user interface, a first response to one or more first queries. The process may further include determining, based on the first response, a first condition category of the returned item. The process may further include transmitting the information relating to the returned item to the second terminal. The process may also include causing a second display associated with the second terminal to display in a second user interface one or more second queries.