Systems and methods for initial item grouping logic

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2021256471-A1
Application number	US-202016791432-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 14, 2020
Priority date	Feb 14, 2020
Publication date	Aug 19, 2021
Grant date	—

Abstract

The present disclosure provides systems and methods for automatic packaging determination comprising a memory storing instructions and at least one processor performing steps comprising: receiving an order comprising at least one item; searching a data store to determine a tag, volume, and weight associated with each item; sorting the items into groups based on the tags of the items; performing an optimization process for each group of items having the same tag by: creating a data structure representing a first package of the group; iteratively simulating packing a largest remaining item of the group into the first package, wherein if the simulating determines that a threshold is exceeded: creating an additional data structure representing an additional package, and iteratively simulating packing a largest remaining item until all items of the group are packed into a package; and generating at least one list of items for the data structures representing packages.

First claim

1 . A computerized system for determining item groupings for packaging, comprising:
at least one processor; and at least one non-transitory storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform steps comprising:
receiving an order comprising at least one item;
searching at least one data store to determine a tag, volume, weight, and an exclusion list associated with each item, wherein the exclusion list comprises a list of items that may not be in a same package as a hazardous item;
sorting the items into groups based on the tags of the items;
performing an optimization process for each group of items having the same tag by:
creating a data structure representing a first package of the group, the data structure being represented by a dictionary and comprising properties of the first package;
iteratively simulating packing a largest remaining item of the group into the first package, the simulating comprising:
provisionally adding the largest remaining item of the group to the dictionary as an element,
determining the total volume and weight of all items in the dictionary,
if the total volume or weight of all items in the dictionary exceeds a threshold, removing the largest remaining item, creating an additional data structure representing an additional package and represented by an additional dictionary, and iteratively simulating packing a largest remaining item until all items of the group are added to a dictionary, and
if the simulating determines that an item from the exclusion list is added to a dictionary, assigning the hazardous item to a different dictionary;

generating at least one list of items for the data structures representing packages; and
sending the generated list to a computer system for display, the list including at least one item identifier and at least one package identifier.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the threshold comprises at least one of a volume of the first package or a weight limit of the first package.

3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the tags include fragile, standalone, or normal.

4 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the steps further comprise:
determining that the received order comprises at least one item associated with the standalone tag; and searching the at least one data store to determine a binding number associated with the items having the standalone tag; wherein the threshold comprises the binding number.

5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the steps further comprise:
searching the at least one data store to determine a large purchase quantity associated with each item; and assigning a large purchase tag to items of a same type if a quantity of the items of the same type in the order exceeds a large purchase quantity associated with the items of the same type; wherein when items are sorted into a group based on the large purchase tag, items are further sorted into a group of a same item type.

6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the steps further comprise:
iteratively simulating packing items having the large purchase tag by dividing a group having items of the same type into subgroups until a volume and a weight of each subgroup are less than or equal to a volume limit and a weight limit, respectively, of the first package or the additional package

7 . (canceled)

8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein an item from the order comprising at least one item having a fragile tag indicates that an item volume for the item having the fragile tag comprises the volume of the item and the volume of added packaging material.

9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the optimization process further comprises:
determining a volume and a weight of one or more items from the order comprising at least one item simulated to be added to a last dictionary of the group; and assigning the one or more items previously assigned to the last dictionary to a smaller last dictionary representing a smaller package having a smaller volume if the volume and the weight of the one or more items are less than a volume limit and a weight limit of the smaller package, respectively.

10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the steps further comprise:
iteratively attempting to simulate packing a largest remaining item of a group into existing packages until a total volume of the largest remaining item and items assigned to an existing package is less than a volume limit of the package or all existing packages have been attempted; assigning the largest remaining item to the existing package; and if the largest remaining item does not fit in any existing packages, creating an additional package and assigning the largest remaining item to the additional package.

11 . A computer-implemented method for automatically determining item groupings for packaging, comprising:
receiving an order comprising at least one item; searching at least one data store to determine a tag, volume, weight, and an exclusion list associated with each item, wherein the exclusion list comprises a list of items that may not be in a same package as a hazardous item; sorting the items into groups based on the tags of the items; performing an optimization process for each group of items having the same tag by:
creating a data structure representing a first package of the group, the data structure being represented by a dictionary and comprising properties of the first package;
iteratively simulating packing a largest remaining item of the group into the first package, the simulating comprising:
provisionally adding the largest remaining item of the group to the dictionary as an element,
determining the total volume and weight of all items in the dictionary,
if the total volume or weight of all items in the dictionary exceeds a threshold, removing the largest remaining item, creating an additional data structure representing an additional package and represented by an additional dictionary, and iteratively simulating packing a largest remaining item until all items of the group are added to a dictionary, and
if the simulating determines that an item from the exclusion list is added to a dictionary, assigning the hazardous item to a different dictionary;

generating at least one list of items for the data structures representing packages; and
sending the generated list to a computer system for display, the list including at least one item identifier and at least one package identifier.

12 . The computer-implemented method of claim 11 , wherein the threshold comprises at least one of a volume of the first package or a weight limit of the first package.

13 . The computer-implemented method of claim 11 , wherein the tags include fragile, standalone, or normal.

14 . The computer-implemented method of claim 13 , further comprising:
determining that the received order comprises at least one item associated with the standalone tag; and searching the at least one data store to determine a binding number associated with the items having the standalone tag; wherein the threshold comprises the binding number.

15 . The computer-implemented method of claim 11 , further comprising:
searching the at least one data store to determine a large purchase quantity associated with each item; and assigning a large purchase tag to items of a same type if a quantity of the items of the same type in the order exceeds a large purchase quantity associated with the items of the same type; wherein when items are sorted into a group based on the large purchase tag, items are further sorted into a group of a same item type.

Assignees

• Coupang Corp

Inventors

• Cui Xiaohua
• Luo Quan
• Xu Zhijun
• Zhao Rubin

Classifications

• G06Q30/0635 Primary

  replenishment orders; recurring orders · CPC title

• G06Q10/0875 Primary

  Itemisation or classification of parts, supplies or services, e.g. bill of materials · CPC title

• G06Q10/04

  Forecasting or optimisation specially adapted for administrative or management purposes, e.g. linear programming or "cutting stock problem" (market predictions or forecasting for commercial activities G06Q30/0202) · CPC title

• G06Q10/08 Primary

  Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management · CPC title

• G06Q10/10

  Office automation; Time management · CPC title