Collaborative Package Routing via Individual Responsibility Signals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current logistics systems for international express deliveries are inefficient, expensive, and limited by centralized control approaches, making them unsuitable for fast and cost-effective international trade, especially due to challenges in power supply management for geolocation and communication devices in collaborative delivery systems.

Innovation Solution

A collaborative object routing system utilizing smartphones and tablets for real-time tracking and responsibility management, where individuals within a community use on-board devices with geolocation and communication capabilities, and a computer platform to manage routing and traceability, minimizing constraints on electrical recharging and ensuring reliable operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If GPS and GSM tracking solutions are implemented for geolocation and communication, then real-time tracking capability is improved, but power supply constraints and device recharging complexity worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereal-time tracking capabilityVSAvoidpower supply management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the geolocation and communication functions from dedicated powered devices and relocates them to the smartphone already carried by the individual. This eliminates the need for separate powered tracking devices and their associated power supply management, while maintaining real-time tracking capability through the smartphone's existing GPS and communication capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The smartphone serves multiple functions: it acts as both the individual's personal device for daily use and the tracking device for the collaborative delivery system. By utilizing the smartphone's existing geolocation and communication capabilities, the system avoids adding separate powered tracking devices, thereby eliminating power supply constraints and recharging complexity.

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

2Productivity

If centralized control approaches with grouping and mass transportation are used, then delivery infrastructure efficiency is improved, but delivery speed and flexibility for international express deliveries worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery infrastructure efficiencyVSAvoiddelivery speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the delivery process into individual leg transfers between nearby individuals rather than consolidated mass transportation. Each individual carries packages directly from their location to nearby destinations, creating multiple small-scale delivery legs that collectively form the complete delivery route. This segmentation enables faster, more flexible international deliveries while maintaining infrastructure efficiency through decentralized peer-to-peer transfers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If traditional national delivery systems are used, then delivery reliability within a single country is improved, but adaptability for international deliveries worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery reliabilityVSAvoidinternational delivery capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple national delivery systems into a unified international collaborative network. Individuals across different countries participate in the same peer-to-peer delivery ecosystem, transferring packages between themselves and connecting national delivery chains. This combines the reliability of local national systems with the versatility needed for international deliveries, creating a seamless cross-border delivery capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3220328B1System for conveying items by means of individuals of a community, using a signal of taking the responsability for the package by an individual
Publication Date: 2019.01.30 PA COTTE SA
  • EP3220328B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3220328B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3220328B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a system for routing objects by individuals of a community, implementing: - packaging (E) intended to contain the objects and bearing at least one recognition code (31), - a computer platform (3) including at least one computer application intended to be loaded by computer units (1) held by the individuals of the community, and including: characterized in that it comprises a database (301) relating to the packaging including, for each package, a responsibility code (33) intended to identify the individual temporarily in charge of the packaging, and in that the computer platform (3) is configured to receive a signal of assumption of responsibility by the individual temporarily in charge of the packaging via the computer application contained in the computer unit held by said individual,and to amend accordingly the responsibility code (33) associated with the packaging recognition code (31).