Shipment Sorting by Input Number for Faster Delivery Processing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing delivery systems face inefficiencies in sorting shipments that cannot be sorted according to delivery sequence, leading to delayed processing and increased space requirements for manual sorting at local distribution locations.
Innovation Solution
A method involving determining a sorting destination and assigning a unique input number to each shipment, followed by arranging and sequencing shipments based on these numbers to facilitate rapid delivery, eliminating the need for complex trip order sorting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If shipments are sorted according to trip order in multiple sorting passes, then the delivery sequence is optimized, but the processing time is extended and sorting capacity requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary sorting by assigning input numbers to shipments based on their destination and delivery sequence before the actual delivery tour. This preliminary arrangement allows deliverers to quickly locate shipments during delivery without requiring complex real-time sorting, thus resolving the contradiction between optimized delivery sequence and extended processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary sorting key (input number) that mediates between the complex trip order requirements and the physical sorting process. Instead of directly sorting by full trip order, the system uses simplified input numbers as intermediaries that encode destination and sequence information, enabling efficient sorting while maintaining delivery optimization.
2Ease of operation
If manual sorting is performed at local shipment distribution locations, then delivery sequence organization is achieved, but space requirements and time loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the sorting function from the local shipment distribution location and relocates it to the central sorting installation. By assigning input numbers centrally before delivery, the patent eliminates the need for local sorting areas, thus resolving the contradiction between delivery organization and space requirements.
3Productivity
If sorting capacity is increased to handle all shipments after arrival, then complete trip order sorting is achieved, but the size and complexity of sorting installations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sorting process into two distinct phases: (1) preliminary sorting by destination using input numbers at the central installation, and (2) final sequence arrangement by deliverers using the pre-assigned input numbers. This segmentation allows the central sorting installation to be simpler while maintaining overall sorting capacity, resolving the contradiction between productivity and device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatuses, systems, and computer programs for sorting and delivering shipments. The shipments are in particular shipments for which sorting in accordance with the delivery sequence is not possible.