Courier Shipment List Management via Label Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems lack an efficient method for couriers to differentiate and manage shipments that need to be delivered versus those that need to be handed over to other entities, leading to potential errors and increased workload in data classification.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that allow couriers to select between two lists for shipments to be delivered and those not to be delivered, using label scanning to automatically add items to the appropriate list, facilitating data management and reducing manual marking requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If couriers manually classify and mark shipments as delivery or non-delivery, then data classification accuracy may be maintained, but workload and potential for errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service data classification by having the courier simply scan the shipment label with a mobile device. The system automatically reads the label data, determines whether the shipment should be classified as delivery or non-delivery, and assigns it to the appropriate list without requiring manual marking or classification by the courier.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/manual system of physical marking and manual list assignment with an automated electronic system. The mobile device scanner, data processing unit, and automatic list assignment replace the need for manual classification, reducing both time and error potential.
2Device complexity
If a single list is used for all shipments, then device complexity is reduced, but data organization and accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the shipment data into distinct, organized lists: a first list for shipments to be delivered and a second list for shipments not to be delivered. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simple list management while achieving accurate data organization, as each list serves a specific purpose and the scanner automatically directs items to the correct list.
3Productivity
If automatic scanning is implemented, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a mobile device (smartphone or tablet) that couriers already possess to perform the scanning function. Instead of requiring specialized scanning hardware, the patent leverages the existing mobile device's camera and processing capabilities to read labels and execute the classification task, thereby increasing productivity without significantly increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A device is provided which enables a courier to select one of two lists and to detect a selection of one of the two lists. A first list is provided for shipments that are to be delivered to a respective destination of the shipments by the courier and a second list is provided for shipments that are not to be delivered to a respective destination of the shipments by the courier. The device receives data that results from a scanning of at least one label that is associated with a shipment or with a group of shipments. The device adds at least one item to the selected list, each of the at least one item associated with a shipment or with a group of shipments, based on the received data. The device may perform these actions by an apparatus and/or by computer program that is executed by a processor.