Package Performance Analysis for Container Selection Optimization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In materials handling facilities, the selection of appropriate containers for packaging items is often prone to human error, leading to increased costs due to inappropriate container sizes, which result in higher shipping costs, wasted space, and potential item damage.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for package performance analysis that recommends optimal container sizes based on item dimensions, calculates shipping costs, and provides corrective actions to reduce excess costs by comparing actual and expected shipping costs, and automatically updates item dimension values for more accurate recommendations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If visual assessment method is used to select containers, then agent can select container based on visual inspection, but container selection accuracy deteriorates leading to inappropriate container sizes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer selection processVSAvoidcontainer size accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual visual assessment method with an automated image processing system that captures images of items and uses computer vision algorithms to determine item dimensions and recommend appropriate container sizes, eliminating human error in visual estimation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary image processing system that acts as a mediator between the items and the container selection process, using captured images to automatically calculate dimensions and suggest suitable containers, thereby improving accuracy while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If larger container is used to ensure all items fit, then item damage risk is reduced, but shipping cost increases due to wasted space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveitem damage riskVSAvoidshipping cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of container size selection from conservative over-sizing to precisely calculated sizing based on actual item dimensions derived from image analysis, optimizing the balance between protection and cost efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary image capture and dimension calculation before container selection, allowing the system to determine the exact container size needed in advance, preventing both over-packing and under-packing scenarios

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If automated image processing system is implemented, then container recommendation accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedimension measurement accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-service system where the image processing automatically captures item images, calculates dimensions, and generates container recommendations without requiring external intervention or complex manual processing procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the complex image processing and dimension calculation functions into a separate automated system module, isolating the complexity from the main container selection process and making the overall system more manageable and maintainable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Device complexity

If manual container selection is used, then system complexity is kept low, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming visual assessment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidcontainer selection speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables continuous automated image capture and processing as items move through the packaging area, eliminating interruptions and maintaining continuous productive flow while accurately determining container requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the slow manual visual assessment process with rapid automated image processing that can analyze multiple items simultaneously, dramatically increasing container selection speed while maintaining system simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS8401975B1System and method for package performance analysis

Publication Date: 2013.03.19 AMAZON TECH INC

AI summary

A computer-implemented method for analyzing package performance in a materials handling facility may include calculating an expected shipping cost for an item package and an actual shipping cost for the item package to determine excess shipping costs due to shipping item packages in the wrong container. The expected shipping cost may be the sum of the transportation cost and shipping materials cost when the item package is shipped in a recommended container. The actual shipping cost may be the sum of the transportation cost and shipping materials cost when the item is shipped in another container. The shipping materials costs may include the costs of the containers themselves and any non-item contents in the containers. A package performance analyzer may be configured to calculate excess shipping costs, generate various package performance reports according to received report parameters, and recommend corrective actions, including changing the available container types or providing training.