Multi-Location Order Routing Using Trigger-Time Courier Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food delivery systems struggle to efficiently coordinate multiple items from multiple locations of the same merchant, leading to inefficient use of system resources and redundant data transmission.
Innovation Solution
A computing system that determines item availability across multiple merchant locations and assigns multiple couriers to optimize delivery routes, reducing redundant data transmission and improving resource utilization by coordinating courier assignments based on real-time progress and estimated times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple couriers are assigned to deliver items from multiple grocery locations, then delivery completeness is improved, but system resource utilization deteriorates due to redundant data transmission and coordination overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple item requests into a single consolidated delivery assignment when items are available at the same grocery location. Instead of creating separate assignments for each item, the system merges them into one assignment that can be fulfilled by a single courier, thereby reducing redundant data transmission and improving system resource utilization while maintaining complete item delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary checks to determine item availability across multiple grocery locations before creating courier assignments. By proactively identifying which items are available at which locations, the system can optimize assignment creation to avoid redundant transmissions and coordinate courier deployments more efficiently, reducing overall system resource consumption.
2Speed
If courier assignments are transmitted immediately upon request, then response time is improved, but data transmission efficiency deteriorates due to redundant transmissions
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple courier assignment transmissions into a single consolidated transmission when multiple items can be delivered together. Instead of sending separate assignment data for each item request, the system combines them and sends one unified assignment, maintaining fast response times while eliminating redundant data transmissions and improving overall transmission efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary availability checks and assignment consolidation before transmitting courier assignments. By determining item availability and optimizing assignment grouping in advance, the system reduces the frequency of redundant transmissions while ensuring assignments are transmitted promptly when ready, balancing response time with transmission efficiency.
3Loss of time
If items are delivered from the nearest grocery location, then delivery time is improved, but item availability deteriorates when the nearest location is out of stock
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary availability checks across multiple grocery locations before finalizing delivery assignments. By proactively determining which items are available at which locations, the system can select the nearest available location for each item, ensuring both fast delivery times and reliable item availability. This preliminary assessment prevents situations where the nearest location is out of stock.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects grocery locations based on real-time availability data rather than using a fixed nearest-location rule. When the nearest location is out of stock, the system automatically identifies and assigns the next nearest available location, maintaining optimal delivery times while ensuring item availability. This dynamic approach adapts to changing inventory conditions across the network.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for strategic routing and distribution of orders for multi-location merchants. The system can obtain data including a service request for multiple items and determine if the inventory at multiple store locations includes a first and second item. The method includes coordinating two couriers fulfilling the request. The method includes assigning a first courier to transport a first item from a first location to a second location and a second courier to transport a first item and second item from the second location to a destination location. The method includes determining a trigger time to send an assignment to a second courier device based on an estimated time for the second courier to travel to the second location and obtain the second item. The method includes automatically triggering transmission of the second assignment based on a progress of the first courier and the trigger time.