Dynamic Carrier Vehicle Space Reservation for Same-Day Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing same-day delivery systems are limited by geographical constraints and inefficiencies in logistics processes, making it difficult to provide on-demand delivery services across various geographical areas, especially when transportation distances are great.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for requesting and reserving space on carrier vehicles, which involves identifying available space, updating utilization data, and scheduling delivery services through a computer program product, allowing for the storage and delivery of items across different geographical areas using a network of delivery vehicles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing same-day delivery systems are used, then delivery within a single day is achieved, but the system is limited to a particular geographical area around vendor locations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegeographical coverageVSAvoiddelivery time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The delivery system is segmented into multiple independent carrier vehicles that can be dynamically assigned to different geographic regions. Each carrier operates autonomously within its assigned area, allowing the system to expand geographically by simply adding more carriers without increasing the time required for individual deliveries within their service areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a single-location delivery model to a multi-dimensional geographic network. By introducing spatial distribution of carriers across different locations and adding temporal flexibility in route optimization, the system achieves broad geographical coverage while maintaining same-day delivery capability through coordinated routing across multiple dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of stationary object

If transportation distance is increased to reach more areas, then geographical coverage is improved, but delivery time increases beyond single day

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice areaVSAvoiddelivery duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The carrier routes and assignments are made dynamic rather than static. The system continuously optimizes routes based on real-time factors such as traffic conditions, carrier availability, and order priorities. This dynamic adjustment allows carriers to efficiently cover extended service areas while maintaining same-day delivery by adapting routes to minimize total travel time and maximize coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-positioning carriers in various geographic locations before delivery requests are made. Carriers are strategically deployed to different service areas in advance, enabling them to immediately begin deliveries when orders are placed. This preliminary deployment ensures that even for distant locations, the delivery duration remains within a single day by having carriers already in position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If multiple sort locations are used to optimize delivery, then delivery efficiency is improved, but the logistics process becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery efficiencyVSAvoidlogistics process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Carrier vehicles are designed with multi-functionality to perform multiple logistics operations including pickup, sorting, and delivery within a single trip. The carriers can visit multiple sort locations and directly deliver to various destinations without requiring separate specialized vehicles for each function, thereby improving delivery efficiency while managing process complexity through versatile, all-purpose carriers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges multiple logistics functions into unified carrier routes. Instead of separating pickup, sorting, and delivery operations into distinct processes, the system combines these functions into integrated carrier trips that visit multiple locations in sequence. This merging reduces the number of separate logistics steps and simplifies the overall process while maintaining high delivery efficiency through optimized routing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11941575B2Systems and methods for reserving space in carrier vehicles to provide on demand delivery services
Publication Date: 2024.03.26 UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICAN INC
  • US11941575B2 patent drawing
  • US11941575B2 patent drawing
  • US11941575B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An unallocated item/product inventory is maintained in each of a plurality of delivery vehicles traversing service routes within a delivery service area. Upon receipt of an order for delivery of an item/product that may be selected from the item/product inventory maintained within a delivery vehicle and that is to be delivered to a destination location within the delivery service area, a delivery vehicle driver is instructed to deliver an item/product selected from the item/product inventory located on the delivery vehicle during the corresponding service route on the same day that the order was placed. A delivery label for the item/product is printed, and the delivery vehicle driver secures the printed delivery label to an item/product selected from the unallocated item/product inventory, and delivers the item/product to the destination location on the same day the order was placed.