Goods shipping and receiving management system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for managing the shipping and receiving of goods lack flexibility in configuring container groups to meet specific user needs, particularly in terms of ownership, placement, usage rates, and access control, leading to inefficiencies in delivery and pickup processes.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows for the configuration of container groups based on different modes (closed, open, exclusive, restricted, and public) using a network of connected containers with communication and control devices, enabling users to manage and access containers through a software platform, and allowing for flexible installation and usage settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a standardized container system is used for goods delivery, then implementation simplicity is improved, but flexibility in configuring container groups to meet specific user needs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic configurability where container groups can be dynamically created, modified, and dissolved based on user needs. The server allows real-time adjustment of container group characteristics including number of containers, location, access codes, and usage parameters, transforming a static standardized system into a dynamic adaptable one without sacrificing implementation simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes multiple parameters of container groups simultaneously - number of containers, location coordinates, access control parameters, temporal parameters (availability hours), and ownership parameters. This multi-parameter configurability allows the system to adapt to diverse user requirements while maintaining a unified implementation approach through centralized server management
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple container groups with different configurations are allowed, then adaptability to user needs is improved, but system complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized server acts as an intermediary that manages all container group configurations, access control, and user interactions. By offloading complexity management to the server, individual containers and container groups remain relatively simple while the system as a whole achieves high adaptability through server-coordinated complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a universal container design that can serve multiple functions and configurations. The same basic container hardware can be part of different container groups with varying characteristics (exclusive, restricted, public access; different locations; different time availabilities), reducing overall system complexity through component universality while maintaining configuration diversity
3Ease of operation
If container groups are distributed widely across the territory, then accessibility and convenience for users is improved, but coordination and management difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The server implements continuous feedback mechanisms by monitoring container status, user access patterns, and system performance across all distributed locations. This feedback enables automatic coordination and management decisions, allowing widespread distribution while maintaining manageable coordination through data-driven server control
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service functionality where users can independently interact with containers through automated access control. Users receive access codes, can reserve containers, and manage their own pickups/deliveries through the server interface, reducing the coordination burden on administrators while maintaining ease of access for end users
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
A system (500) for managing the shipping and receiving of goods is described, comprising: a management computer (501) for managing activities relating to the shipping and receiving of goods; a first container (502) and a second container each (502) defining a relative internal compartment and configured to allow the insertion, storage and withdrawal of goods into/from the relative internal compartment; a first communication device (545) internal to the first container (502) and configured to communicate with the management computer (501); a second communication device (545) internal to the second container and configured to communicate with the management computer (501); electrical cables (C1; C2) arranged in said containers (502) and configured to provide data and a supply voltage. The first container (502) and the second container are respectively provided with a first connector (9; 540) and a second connector (12, 541) mechanically and electrically coupled to each other so as to mechanically attach the first container (502) to the second container (502) and connect said electrical cables (C1, C2) to establish a connection for the electrical supply voltage and for data transmission.