Consolidated Delivery System for Multi-Merchant Order Bundling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing delivery systems face challenges in efficiently bundling orders from multiple merchants for delivery to a single location, often requiring separate orders and multiple delivery agents, which increases logistical inefficiencies and costs.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows users to remotely view and select items from multiple merchants to be bundled with an existing order, using a service computing device to determine eligible merchants and items based on location and selection rules, and implementing a threshold time limit to ensure efficient delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate orders are placed with each merchant, then each merchant can be served independently, but multiple delivery agents are required increasing logistical inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate delivery orders into a single consolidated order that can be fulfilled by one delivery agent. The system identifies items from different merchants that can be delivered together, merges them into a single delivery route, and coordinates pickup and delivery timing to maintain the ability to serve multiple merchants independently while achieving economies of scale in delivery operations
2Reliability
If multiple delivery agents are used, then each merchant's order can be delivered separately, but delivery costs and fuel consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple delivery routes into a single consolidated route by identifying geographically proximate merchants and combining their orders. This allows one delivery agent to service multiple merchants in a single trip, reducing total fuel consumption while maintaining reliable delivery through coordinated timing and route optimization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal delivery system where a single delivery agent can handle multiple merchants' orders simultaneously. The system designs the delivery mechanism to be multi-functional, capable of picking up from and delivering to multiple locations in sequence, thereby reducing energy loss while preserving delivery reliability
3Adaptability or versatility
If users order from multiple merchants, then variety is increased, but additional delivery fees are charged
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple separate delivery fees into a single consolidated fee by combining orders from different merchants into one delivery transaction. Users can select items from multiple merchants, and the system consolidates these into a single delivery, thereby maintaining item variety while reducing the total quantity of fees paid
Data Source
AI summary
Examples include a computing device that receives, from an application on a mobile device, a first communication requiring the computing device to perform at least a first action. The computing device implements a first time period during which the computing device waits before performing the first action, and receives, in real time and via an API, one or more second communications indicative of user activity with respect to the application. Based on receiving an indication that the application has been closed on the mobile device for the threshold time, the computing device performs the first action before expiration of the first time period. Alternatively, based on receiving an indication that the user is actively interacting with a user interface of the application on the mobile device, the computing device performs, after the expiration of the first time period, at least one of the first action or a second action.