Intelligent Routing Code for Perishable Goods Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current supply chain systems fail to effectively monitor and ensure the proper handling and condition of perishable products during shipping, often resulting in products being delivered in undesirable condition, with Shippers only realizing issues after delivery.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of Intelligent Routing Codes (IR Codes) that compare a product's actual condition with a Receiver's target condition, using continuous monitoring and cloud-based processing to ensure products are delivered within defined quality and time standards, optimizing shipping routes and reducing waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If continuous product condition monitoring is implemented during shipping, then product quality assessment capability is improved, but information processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential quality assessment information into a simplified metric called the Intelligent Routing (IR) Code. This code condenses complex product condition data (temperature, humidity, time, handling events) into a single standardized value that can be easily compared against target thresholds, thereby maintaining measurement precision while reducing information processing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms multiple continuous condition parameters (temperature, humidity, time, handling events) into a discrete standardized IR Code parameter. This parameter transformation enables simplified comparison and decision-making while preserving the essential quality assessment capability throughout the supply chain.
2Productivity
If real-time product condition data is made available to Shippers during transit, then product distribution efficiency is improved, but data management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential quality assessment information into a simplified metric called the Intelligent Routing (IR) Code. This code condenses complex product condition data (temperature, humidity, time, handling events) into a single standardized value that can be easily compared against target thresholds, thereby maintaining measurement precision while reducing information processing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The IR Code serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a quality metric, a routing decision tool, a compliance verification standard, and a communication protocol between different supply chain parties. This multi-functionality improves distribution efficiency while avoiding the need for separate complex systems for each purpose.
3Reliability
If a standardized quality metric system is implemented across the supply chain, then product delivery reliability is improved, but system implementation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The IR Code serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a quality metric, a routing decision tool, a compliance verification standard, and a communication protocol between different supply chain parties. This multi-functionality improves distribution efficiency while avoiding the need for separate complex systems for each purpose.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a homogeneous standardized IR Code system that is applied uniformly across different products, shippers, receivers, and logistics providers. This standardization enables consistent quality assessment and routing decisions throughout the entire supply chain, improving reliability while reducing the complexity of managing multiple different systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A system is disclosed that comprises a processor, and logic executable by the processor. The logic is configured to cause the processor to perform a method comprising receiving at least one attribute of a condition of a good, and using the at least one attribute to calculate an actual Intelligent Routing (IR) code for the good. Further, the method comprises calculating and storing a target IR code for each of at least two receivers, and comparing the actual IR code for the good to the target IR codes for each of the at least two receivers. Finally, the method comprises determining, based on the comparison of the actual IR code for the good to the target IR codes for each of the at least two receivers, which receiver of the at least two receivers will receive the good.