Logistics Information Management System for Fulfillment Centers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Logistics management systems face challenges in efficiently managing items across fulfillment centers with varying scales and attributes, such as fresh products, dangerous substances, and price-based classifications, which complicates delivery times and operator workloads.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that set item attribute-related conditions for each fulfillment center, identify representative attributes, and provide candidate display position information based on these conditions to optimize item handling and storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If fulfillment centers manage multiple attribute types of items with different classification standards, then the system can accommodate diverse fulfillment center characteristics, but the complexity of managing and setting conditions for each fulfillment center increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to handle different attribute typesVSAvoidcomplexity of managing fulfillment centers

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the fulfillment center management system by introducing fulfillment center-specific condition settings. Each fulfillment center can have its own attribute type definitions and classification standards, allowing the system to handle diverse item attributes without requiring a single complex unified management approach. This segmentation enables each fulfillment center to be managed independently according to its specific needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic condition settings that can be adjusted for each fulfillment center based on its characteristics. The system allows fulfillment centers to dynamically define which attribute types are relevant to them and set appropriate conditions for item classification, enabling the management system to adapt to varying fulfillment center requirements rather than enforcing a static uniform structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If a unified condition setting is applied across all fulfillment centers, then management complexity is reduced, but the ability to effectively manage items with different attributes at different fulfillment centers deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of management systemVSAvoidefficiency of item handling

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by allowing each fulfillment center to have customized condition settings tailored to its specific needs and characteristics. Instead of enforcing a uniform condition setting across all fulfillment centers, the system enables each center to define local conditions that match its item attribute requirements, thereby improving item handling efficiency without significantly increasing overall management complexity through a modular approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If multiple attribute types are identified for each item, then comprehensive item classification is achieved, but the time required to determine representative attributes and process items increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of item classificationVSAvoidtime for determining representative attribute

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-defining condition settings and representative attribute determination rules for each fulfillment center before items arrive. The system预先 sets up the classification framework and condition logic, so when items are received, the representative attribute can be determined quickly by matching item attributes against pre-established conditions, rather than analyzing multiple attributes from scratch for each item.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Adaptability or versatility

If fulfillment centers handle items with varying scales and characteristics, then service coverage is expanded, but the standardization of logistics management processes becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improve多样性 of fulfillment center capabilitiesVSAvoidstandardization of management processes

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves universality by creating a standardized condition setting framework that can be applied across all fulfillment centers regardless of their size or characteristics. The system provides a universal mechanism for defining attribute types and conditions that works consistently across different fulfillment centers, enabling standardized management processes while accommodating diverse fulfillment center capabilities through configurable parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11797922B2Logistics information managing method and electronic apparatus performing the same

Publication Date: 2023.10.24 COUPANG CORP

AI summary

According to various example embodiments, a logistics information managing method of an electronic apparatus may include setting an item attribute-related condition corresponding to a fulfillment center, identifying one or more attribute types of a first item received in the fulfillment center, determining, based on the item attribute-related condition, one of the one or more attribute types of the first item to be a representative attribute of the first item, and providing candidate display position information for the first item based on the representative attribute. In addition, other embodiments are also possible.