SKU Retrieval Workflow With AGV Routing and Scrap Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fresh food inventory management in e-commerce systems faces challenges due to the lack of real-time access to SKU locations, leading to inefficient tracking, high manpower requirements, and excessive time spent on product location determination, resulting in reduced throughput and unnecessary product scrapping.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented system that generates a list of SKUs, transmits this list to an interface to determine location identifiers, and uses AGVs to retrieve SKUs, comparing registered and physical identifiers to decide on scrapping or conversion processes, with logic steps to assess and modify identifiers as necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual tracking of SKU locations is used, then system complexity is reduced, but productivity and throughput are significantly reduced due to time-intensive processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an external system as an intermediary between the warehouse management system and the physical SKUs. This external system maintains real-time location information and communicates it to operators through user devices, eliminating the need for manual tracking while reducing overall system complexity in the warehouse.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by providing operators with real-time location information of SKUs through user devices. Operators can independently determine SKU locations without manual intervention or complex coordination, significantly improving productivity while keeping the system simple to operate.
2Productivity
If real-time location tracking system is implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity and initial costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an external system as an intermediary between the warehouse management system and the physical SKUs. This external system maintains real-time location information and communicates it to operators through user devices, eliminating the need for manual tracking while reducing overall system complexity in the warehouse.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical tracking methods with an automated information system. User devices provide real-time location data to operators, substituting the need for physical tracking and manual record-keeping, thereby improving processing efficiency without requiring complex automated material handling systems.
3Loss of time
If manual SKU location determination is used, then system cost is reduced, but loss of time and productivity are significantly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-establishing an external system that continuously tracks and maintains real-time location information of all SKUs. This information is made available to operators before they need to locate items, eliminating time-consuming manual search and determination processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by providing operators with real-time location information through user devices. The external system continuously updates SKU locations and communicates these changes immediately to operators, enabling rapid response and reducing time for location determination without compromising productivity.
4Productivity
If automated guided vehicles are deployed, then productivity and throughput are improved, but device complexity and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an external system as an intermediary that manages AGV operations. This system receives location information, determines optimal retrieval routes, and commands AGVs to transport SKUs to terminals. The intermediary handles the complexity of coordinating multiple AGVs, while operators simply receive and execute retrieval commands.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual material handling with automated guided vehicles. AGVs autonomously transport SKUs from storage locations to terminals based on commands from the external system, substituting manual labor and simplifying the operational process while significantly improving throughput and productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments include systems and methods for product scrapping and processing. Methods may include transmitting a list of stock keeping units (SKUs) to an interface; causing an external system to determine the location identifier associated with each SKU, command at least one automated guided vehicle (AGV) to retrieve each SKU, and transport each SKU to at least one terminal; compare, by a user device associated with the at least one terminal, the registered SKU identifier with a physical SKU identifier; when the registered SKU identifier is consistent with the physical SKU identifier: transport the corresponding SKU to undergo a scrapping process or a conversion process; when the registered SKU identifier is inconsistent with the physical SKU identifier: perform logic steps to assess the corresponding SKU, and modify the registered SKU identifier according to results of the performed logic steps.