Freight Density Sensor System for Shipping Cost Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The freight industry faces inefficiencies in shipping cost calculations due to generic rating systems that do not account for shipment density or dimensions, leading to unnecessary surcharges, and existing technologies lack accuracy in determining these parameters for optimal pricing.
Innovation Solution
A sensor-based dimensionalizer system that uses a combination of depth cameras, rangefinders, and scales to accurately measure the weight, dimensions, and density of freight units, coupled with a computer-based recommendation engine to adjust shipping parameters and recommend adjustments to reduce shipping costs by changing the density of freight units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If generic rating systems are used that only consider total weight and class, then pricing is simplified and faster, but shipping costs increase due to unnecessary surcharges and inability to account for density or dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurement of freight dimensions and density before shipping using sensors and dimensionalizers, so that accurate pricing can be determined in advance. This allows the system to switch between class-based and density-based pricing rules based on pre-collected data, avoiding both manual measurement delays and inaccurate generic pricing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual measurement methods with automated sensor-based dimensionalizers and density calculation systems. This substitution enables accurate density-based pricing to be computed automatically without manual intervention, maintaining high processing speed while achieving reliable cost accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If manual measurement of dimensions is performed, then accuracy of shipping parameters improves, but time consumption and labor costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual measurement with automated sensor-based dimensionalizers that use cameras, lasers, and other sensors to capture freight dimensions instantly. This substitution maintains high measurement precision while eliminating the time and labor associated with manual measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The dimensionalizer system is designed to autonomously measure freight parameters without human intervention. The sensors automatically capture dimensions, calculate density, and provide data to the pricing system, enabling the measurement process to serve itself without requiring manual operation.
3Reliability
If density-based pricing rules are applied, then shipping cost optimization improves, but complexity of pricing calculation increases due to need for accurate dimension and density data
Solution Approach 1:
The system calculates density and determines applicable pricing rules in advance before shipping decisions are made. By pre-computing density-based metrics and comparing them against carrier thresholds, the system simplifies the decision-making process and reduces operational complexity while maintaining cost optimization benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a pricing optimization system that acts as an intermediary between raw measurement data and final shipping decisions. This intermediary layer automatically interprets density data, applies carrier-specific pricing rules, and recommends optimal shipping strategies, thereby reducing the complexity burden on users while maintaining reliable cost optimization.
4Measurement precision
If accurate density measurement is implemented, then ability to switch from class-based to density-based pricing improves, but measurement system complexity increases due to multiple sensors and calibration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines multiple measurement functions (dimensional measurement, weight measurement, and density calculation) into an integrated sensor-based dimensionalizer platform. By merging these functions into a single coordinated system, the patent reduces operational complexity while maintaining high measurement precision through unified data collection and processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor-based dimensionalizer is designed as a multi-functional device that performs dimensional measurement, weight measurement, and density calculation in a single integrated system. This universal approach allows accurate density measurement without requiring separate specialized equipment for each function, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods provide real-time shipping optimization recommendations for reducing the cost of shipping freight units in a shipment. System comprises a measurement system in communication with a computer system that comprises a client computer device in communication with a host computer system. The measurement system comprises multiple sensing devices to determine weight, dimensions, and other shipping parameters of the freight units in the shipment. The computer system computes a current shipping cost and density based on the shipping parameters. The computer system determines shipping recommendations including recommended adjustments to the shipping parameters that reduce the current shipping cost. The shipping recommendations are transmitted to the client computer device prior to loading the shipment onto a carrier vehicle for the shipment.