Receptacle Allocation via Recipient Retrieval Scoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Distribution networks often face inefficiencies when managing item receptacles, as they frequently receive more items than available receptacles, leading to items being stored and recipients having to wait for employees to retrieve them, especially for those who regularly retrieve items promptly.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a scanning device and processor to determine recipient scores based on historical data and status, allocating items to receptacles based on a score threshold, ensuring timely delivery to frequent recipients and optimizing the use of available receptacles by sending electronic notifications for unlocking and directing items to appropriate storage when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If items are stored in a storage room when receptacles are unavailable, then all items can be accommodated, but recipients must wait in line for employees to retrieve items
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables recipients to autonomously retrieve their items from receptacles using electronic locks that respond to notifications, eliminating the need for employee assistance and reducing waiting time while maintaining the ability to accommodate multiple items
Solution Approach 2:
Items are pre-positioned in receptacles before recipients arrive, and electronic notifications are sent in advance to inform recipients of item availability, allowing recipients to retrieve items immediately upon arrival rather than waiting for employee retrieval
2Ease of operation
If items are allocated to receptacles without prioritization, then all recipients are treated equally, but frequent recipients who retrieve items promptly do not receive preferential treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces recipient scores as a dynamic parameter that changes based on historical retrieval behavior, allowing the allocation system to adapt and prioritize recipients who consistently retrieve items promptly, thereby improving receptacle utilization while maintaining fairness through transparent scoring criteria
3Loss of time
If more receptacles are provided to accommodate all items, then no items need storage, but the facility space and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing electronic locks and automated notifications, the system enables rapid item retrieval by recipients without employee assistance, allowing fewer receptacles to serve more items efficiently, thereby reducing the facility space required while maintaining quick access for recipients
4Quantity of substance
If employees manually manage item retrieval from storage, then all items can be accessed, but the process requires significant employee time and effort
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual employee operations with an automated electronic system that uses scanners to identify items, processors to determine recipient scores and allocate items to receptacles, and electronic locks to secure and release items, thereby eliminating the need for employees to physically retrieve items from storage while maintaining access to all items
Data Source
AI summary
A management system for managing the utilization of item receptacles in a distribution network. Items can be transferred to recipients at a limited number of item receptacles in unit delivery facilities of the distribution network. Item retrieval behavior is tracked to determine a recipient score for known recipients. Based on the recipient scores, subsequent items to be transferred can be placed in a receptacle or a storage area based on the associated recipient score. Placement in receptacles can be prioritized to recipients with low scores indicating that the item will likely be retrieved quickly, while items addressed to recipients with high scores may not be placed into a receptacle if receptacles are scarce.