Layered Software Application for Delivery Services

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing processes for purchasing and delivering goods from one location to another are inefficient, often taking days or weeks due to multiple steps involved in purchase, packaging, shipping, and delivery.

Innovation Solution

A Barcode to Zipcode Application that streamlines the process by using location-based retail product information services and customer payment processing systems, functioning as an internet web application to reduce the time required for delivery to hours or minutes, with interfaces for customer service representatives and delivery personnel, employing a layered architecture and utilizing common components like browsers, web servers, and relational databases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If traditional purchase and delivery processes are used, then products can be delivered from one location to another, but the process takes days or weeks due to multiple steps including purchase, packaging, shipping, and delivery

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery timeVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the delivery process into distinct functional layers: presentation layer for user interaction, business logic layer for order processing, service layer for integration with retail and shipping systems, and data layer for information management. This segmentation allows each layer to operate independently and efficiently, reducing overall process time while maintaining complexity management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a software application as an intermediary between customers, retail stores, and delivery services. This intermediary automates the coordination of purchase, packaging, shipping, and delivery steps, eliminating manual processing delays and reducing the overall delivery time from days or weeks to hours or minutes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If products are transported over great distances, then delivery can be facilitated, but costs increase and time requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery efficiencyVSAvoiddelivery time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-coordinating order placement, store selection, packaging preparation, and delivery scheduling before the actual product movement. The software application proactively manages the entire supply chain workflow, ensuring that all necessary steps are initiated and completed in optimal sequence, thereby reducing both time and cost while improving delivery efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If multiple steps are involved in purchase, packaging, shipping, and delivery, then comprehensive service can be provided, but the process becomes inefficient and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice completenessVSAvoidprocess efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The software application serves multiple functions within a single integrated system: it handles customer order placement, communicates with retail store systems, manages packaging requirements, coordinates with shipping carriers, and tracks delivery status. This multi-functionality allows comprehensive service provision while maintaining high process efficiency through automated workflow management.

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

Data Source

PatentUS9727837B1System utilizing layered software application for facilitating delivery services
Publication Date: 2017.08.08 CAMPBELL JR CARL HENRY
  • US9727837B1 patent drawing
  • US9727837B1 patent drawing
  • US9727837B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A Barcode to Zipcode Application, the purpose of which is to remove as many steps from the supply chain as possible, reducing the time required to complete the process of purchasing goods in one location for delivery in another location to hours or even minutes. This application contains interfaces to location based retail product information services as well as customer payment processing systems. The application functions as an internet web application with the primary users being the customer service representatives and delivery personnel.