Shipment Splitting Analyzer for Automated Container Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for packaging items for shipping often result in human error due to visual assessment, leading to inappropriate container selection, increased costs, and inefficiencies in materials handling facilities, particularly during peak periods when large or unusual items are processed.
Innovation Solution
A packaging information system that includes a shipment splitting analyzer and a box recommender to determine the optimal container size and split items into multiple shipments based on item dimensions, weight, and available container capacities, facilitating efficient packing and shipping operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If visual assessment is used to select containers, then agent flexibility is maintained, but container selection accuracy deteriorates leading to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual visual assessment process with an automated image processing system using cameras and computer vision algorithms. The system captures images of items, automatically calculates their dimensions and volume, and recommends appropriate containers, eliminating human error while maintaining operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing the packaging process to determine its own container requirements through automated image analysis. The system independently assesses item dimensions, calculates required container size, and selects appropriate containers without human intervention, improving both accuracy and efficiency.
2Loss of energy
If appropriate container selection is made, then shipping costs are minimized, but measurement accuracy requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual measurement methods with automated image processing technology. Cameras capture item images, and software algorithms automatically calculate dimensions and volume with high precision, ensuring accurate container selection that minimizes shipping costs while eliminating measurement errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy of the physical items through image capture and processing. This digital representation is used to calculate dimensions and determine container requirements, providing accurate measurement data without physical contact and enabling precise cost optimization.
3Measurement precision
If automated image processing is implemented, then container selection accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional integrated system where a single platform performs image capture, image processing, dimension calculation, container recommendation, and label generation. This universal system handles various item types and packaging scenarios, improving accuracy while managing complexity through consolidation rather than multiple separate systems.
4Productivity
If items are grouped together for shipping, then transportation space utilization is improved, but container size selection difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic container selection that adapts to the specific combination of items being shipped. The system calculates the total volume and dimensions of grouped items, then recommends appropriate container sizes based on real-time data, enabling optimal space utilization while managing selection complexity through automated calculation.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and computer-implemented method for automatically splitting a group of items into two or more shipment sets are disclosed. A shipment splitting analyzer may be configured to determine if and how the items should be split into shipment sets dependent on the number of unique or total items, item parameters, container parameters, facility configurations, transportation constraints, and/or business policies. Items may be dequeued from the group into proposed shipment sets directed to a target container. The shipment splitting analyzer may determine which items may be shipped together dependent on a cumulative volume and/or weight of the items, a size and/or weight capacity of the target container, and/or affinity information associated with the items. Over-sized items, over-weight items, and/or large quantities of single items may be removed for exception processing prior to splitting the items into shipment sets. Shipment splitting data may be analyzed for current performance and/or operational trends.