U.S. patent application number 17/450596 was filed with the patent office on 2022-06-16 for electronic apparatus and information providing method thereof.
The applicant listed for this patent is Coupang Corp.. Invention is credited to Se Hwan Chung, Ji Won Hwang, Sung Eun Kim, Jeong Seok Oh, Woo Jung Park.
Application Number | 20220188768 17/450596 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-06-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220188768 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim; Sung Eun ; et
al. |
June 16, 2022 |
ELECTRONIC APPARATUS AND INFORMATION PROVIDING METHOD THEREOF
Abstract
An information providing method of an electronic apparatus is
disclosed. The information providing method includes checking an
invoice identification number of a package selected from among one
or more packages which have been packed by at least one packing
worker, checking a box identification number of the package, and
providing guide information for a packing inspection of the package
based on the invoice identification number and the box
identification number.
Inventors: |
Kim; Sung Eun; (Seoul,
KR) ; Park; Woo Jung; (Seoul, KR) ; Hwang; Ji
Won; (Seoul, KR) ; Oh; Jeong Seok; (Seoul,
KR) ; Chung; Se Hwan; (Seoul, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Coupang Corp. |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/450596 |
Filed: |
October 12, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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17153158 |
Jan 20, 2021 |
11164150 |
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17450596 |
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International
Class: |
G06Q 10/08 20120101
G06Q010/08; G08B 21/18 20060101 G08B021/18; G06Q 50/28 20120101
G06Q050/28 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 11, 2020 |
KR |
10-2020-0173130 |
Claims
1. A method of providing information by an electronic apparatus,
the method comprising: identifying an invoice identification number
of at least one package through sampling one or more packages
packed by at least one packing operator, wherein the at least one
package is associated with a packing operator having a packing
error greater than or equal to a reference value and the packing
error of the packing operator occurs when packing is not performed
based on guide information; identifying a box identification number
of a package associated with the invoice identification identified
through the sampling; providing the guide information to a checking
operator, the guide information comprising information associated
with a cooling material and a buffer material corresponding to the
package for a packing check based on the invoice identification
number and the box identification number; and in response to the
package not being packed according to the guide information,
providing packing-related information to the checking operator to
facilitate re-packing of the package by the checking operator.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing an alarm
message to a first packing operator performing a packing operation
on a first package having a packing error, the packing error due to
the first package not being packed based on the guide
information.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the alarm message comprises
information associated with a first packing error related to a
buffer material and a cooling material during the packing operation
or a second packing error related to an item.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing of the
packing-related information to the checking operator comprises:
identifying a quota of the checking operator; comparing the quota
and a reference quota; and providing packing-related information to
the checking operator based on the comparing of the quota and the
reference quota.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein in response to the quota being
less than the reference quota, the providing of the packing-related
information to the checking operator facilitates the re-packing of
a package corresponding to a first packing error.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein in response to the quota being
greater than the reference quota, the providing of the
packing-related information to the checking operator comprises:
providing relevant information to the packing operator to move the
package irrespective of a first packing error and a second packing
error.
7. The method of claim 3, wherein the alarm message is provided to
the checking operator and the packing operator.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing of the guide
information to the checking operator comprises: providing a screen
for inputting information associated with an arrangement of an
auxiliary packing tool inside a box; providing a screen for
inputting information associated with a type, a quantity, a damage,
and an expiration date of a selected item; and providing a screen
for inputting information on types and quantities related to a
buffer material and a cooling material corresponding to the
selected item.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the providing of the guide
information to the checking operator comprises: providing a screen
for inputting information indicative of whether the cooling
material corresponding to the selected item is located at a
predetermined position corresponding to the selected item.
10. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium comprising
a computer program, which when executed, causes a processor to:
identify an invoice identification number of at least one package
through sampling one or more packages packed by at least one
packing operator, wherein the at least one package is associated
with a packing operator having a packing error greater than or
equal to a reference value and the packing error of the packing
operator occurs when packing is not performed based on guide
information; identify a box identification number of a package
associated with the invoice identification identified through the
sampling; provide the guide information to a checking operator, the
guide information comprising information associated with a cooling
material and a buffer material corresponding to the package for a
packing check based on the invoice identification number and the
box identification number; and in response to the package not being
packed according to the guide information, provide packing-related
information to the checking operator to facilitate re-packing of
the package by the checking operator.
11. An electronic apparatus comprising: a communication device; a
display; and a controller configured to identify an invoice
identification number of at least one package through sampling one
or more packages packed by at least one packing operator, wherein
the at least one package is associated with a packing operator
having a packing error greater than or equal to a reference value
and the packing error of the packing operator occurs when packing
is not performed based on guide information, identify a box
identification number of a package associated with the invoice
identification identified through the sampling, provide the guide
information to a checking operator, the guide information
comprising information associated with a cooling material and a
buffer material corresponding to the package for a packing check
based on the invoice identification number and the box
identification number, and provide packing-related information to
the checking operator to facilitate re-packing of the package in
response to the package having the packing error.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 17/153,158, filed Jan. 20, 2021, which claims
the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0173130, filed
Dec. 11, 2020, the entire disclosure of each of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
Technical Field
[0002] The present disclosure relates to an electronic apparatus
for providing relevant information to an inspection worker and an
information providing method of the electronic apparatus.
Description of the Related Art
[0003] Hundreds of items are delivered per day on average. In the
case of an item delivery service, it is important to rapidly
deliver ordered items to customers. Together with speed, it is also
important to increase customers' trust by delivering items ordered
by the customers with appropriate packing. When packages are
delivered to customers without an inspection process, it is
difficult to check errors caused by workers in charge during
classification and packing processes, and customers' trust may be
degraded. Consequently, an inspection process is required for
packages, and a technique for providing relevant information to an
inspection worker is necessary.
SUMMARY
Technical Goals
[0004] The present disclosure is directed to providing an
electronic apparatus and an information providing method of the
electronic apparatus. Objects of the present disclosure are not
limited to those described above, and other objects may be inferred
from the following example embodiments.
Technical Solutions
[0005] According to a first example embodiment, an information
providing method of an electronic apparatus includes checking an
invoice identification number of a package selected from among one
or more packages which have been packed by at least one packing
worker, checking a box identification number of the package, and
providing guide information for a packing inspection of the package
based on the invoice identification number and the box
identification number.
[0006] The information providing method may further include
receiving relevant information from an inspection worker according
to the guide information for the packing inspection and, in
response to determining that packing of the selected package does
not satisfy conditions of the guide information based on the
relevant information received from the inspection worker, providing
an alarm message to the packing worker corresponding to the
selected package.
[0007] The providing of the guide information for the packing
inspection may include providing a screen for inputting information
related to an arrangement of an auxiliary packing material in a
box, providing a screen for inputting information on types of items
included in the selected package, quantities of the items, whether
the items are damaged, and expiration dates of the items, and
providing a screen for inputting information on types and
quantities of buffers and refrigerants corresponding to the
items.
[0008] The providing of the guide information for the packing
inspection may include providing a screen for inputting information
about whether the refrigerants are placed at a preset position
corresponding to the items.
[0009] The checking of the invoice identification number of the
package may include checking the invoice identification number of
the package selected through sampling from among the one or more
packages which have been packed, and the sampling may be set so
that the number of packages selected during a reference time may be
increased when packages which have not been packed based on the
guide information correspond to a reference value or more.
[0010] The information providing method may further include, when
the package has not been packed based on the guide information,
providing information related to packing of the package so that an
inspection worker may repack the package.
[0011] The alarm message may include information related to a
packing error which has occurred in a packing process of the
packing worker.
[0012] According to a second example embodiment, an electronic
apparatus includes a communication device, a display, and a
controller configured to check an invoice identification number of
a package selected from among one or more packages which have been
packed by at least one packing worker, check a box identification
number of the package, and provide guide information for a packing
inspection of the package based on the invoice identification
number and the box identification number.
[0013] According to a third example embodiment, a non-transitory
recording medium on which a program for executing the
above-described method in a computer is recorded.
[0014] Details of other aspects are included in the Detailed
Description and the accompanying drawings.
Effects
[0015] According to the present disclosure, the electronic
apparatus may check whether a worker in charge has performed
classification work or packing work incorrectly, and the worker in
charge may be educated through feedback so that work accuracy of
the worker in charge can be improved. In this case, the electronic
apparatus may track a process in which a packing error occurs and
manage the process thereafter so that a packing error does not
repeatedly occur. Also, in the case of a packing error, the
electronic apparatus provides packing-related information to an
inspection worker with regard to repacking such that a correct item
can be rapidly delivered to a customer.
[0016] Effects of the present disclosure are not limited to those
described above, and other effects which have not been described
will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a system according to an example
embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates a method of providing information to an
inspection worker according to an example embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 3 illustrates a method of exchanging information
between an electronic apparatus, a second terminal, and a third
terminal according to an example embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 4 illustrates an arrangement of a first terminal, a
second terminal, a work-target set, and a third terminal according
to an example embodiment.
[0021] FIG. 5 illustrates an arrangement of work cells according to
an example embodiment.
[0022] FIGS. 6A to 6K illustrate screens displayed on a terminal
used by an inspection worker according to an example
embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an electronic apparatus
according to an example embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] As terms used herein, general terms that are widely used are
selected, when possible, in consideration of functions of the
present disclosure, but the terms may vary according to intentions
of those skilled in the art, precedents, advent of new
technologies, and the like. Some terms may be arbitrarily chosen by
the present applicant, and in this case, the meanings of these
terms will be explained in the corresponding parts of description
in detail. Accordingly, the terms used herein should be defined not
based on the names thereof but based on the meanings thereof and
the whole context of the present disclosure.
[0025] Throughout the specification, it will be understood that
when a part is referred to as "including" an element, the part does
not preclude other elements and may further include other elements
unless stated otherwise. Also, terms, such as "unit" and "module,"
refer to units which perform at least one function or operation,
and the units may be implemented as hardware, software, or a
combination of hardware and software.
[0026] The expression "at least one of A, B, and C" may include the
following meanings: A alone; B alone; C alone; both A and B
together; both A and C together; both B and C together; and all
three of A, B, and C together.
[0027] As used herein, a "terminal" may be implemented as a
computer or a portable terminal which may access a server or
another terminal via a network. Here, the computer includes, for
example, a notebook computer, a desktop computer, a laptop
computer, etc. in which a web browser is installed, and the
portable terminal is a wireless communication device with
portability and mobility and may include all kinds of
handheld-based wireless communication devices such as
communication-based terminals, smart phones, and tablet personal
computers (PCs) which support international mobile
telecommunication (IMT)-2000, code division multiple access (CDMA),
wideband CDMA (W-CDMA), long term evolution (LTE), etc.
[0028] Hereinafter, example embodiments of the present disclosure
will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings so that those skilled in the art may easily implement the
present disclosure. However, the present disclosure may be
implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the
example embodiments set forth herein.
[0029] The example embodiments of the present disclosure will be
described in detail below with reference to the drawings.
[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates a system according to an example
embodiment.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 1, the system may include an electronic
apparatus 10, a first terminal 20, a second terminal 30, a third
terminal 40, and a network 50. In the system shown in FIG. 1, only
elements related to this embodiment are shown. Accordingly, those
skilled in the art should understand that general-use elements
other than those shown in FIG. 1 may be further included.
[0032] The electronic apparatus 10, the first terminal 20, the
second terminal 30, and the third terminal 40 may communicate with
each other in the network 50. The network 50 includes a local area
network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a value added network
(VAN), a mobile radio communication network, a satellite
communication network, and combinations thereof. The network 50 is
a data communication network having a comprehensive meaning that
the network elements shown in FIG. 1 are allowed to smoothly
communicate with each other and may include wired Internet,
wireless Internet, and a mobile wireless communication network.
Wireless communication may be, for example, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth,
Bluetooth low energy, ZigBee, Wi-Fi direct (WFD), ultra-wideband
(UWB), infrared data association (IrDA), near field communication
(NFC), etc. but is not limited thereto.
[0033] The electronic apparatus 10 may provide all information
related to item delivery and may be included in a server which
provides the information related to item delivery. Specifically,
the electronic apparatus 10 may provide information related to item
classification regarding a work cell included in a work-target set
to a classification worker. Also, the electronic apparatus 10 may
provide information related to packing work regarding items
included in a work cell to a packing worker. Further, the
electronic apparatus 10 may provide guide information for a packing
inspection of packages which have been packed to an inspection
worker. In this way, the electronic apparatus 10 may provide
information related to item classification work, packing work, and
inspection work to each worker.
[0034] The electronic apparatus 10 may provide an application for
providing information to the first terminal 20, the second terminal
30, and the third terminal 40. The first terminal 20 may be a
terminal used by a classification worker, the second terminal 30
may be a terminal used by a packing worker, and the third terminal
40 may be a terminal used by an inspection worker. The
classification worker may classify items in units of work cells
using information provided through the first terminal 20 by the
electronic apparatus 10. The packing worker may perform packing
work for items included in a work cell using information provided
through the second terminal 30 by the electronic apparatus 10. The
inspection worker may perform a packing inspection of a package
which has been packed using the guide information provided through
the third terminal 40 by the electronic apparatus 10.
[0035] In the example embodiment, the work-target set may include a
plurality of work cells, and each work cell may be assigned so that
items included in a specific order may be classified and placed
according to classification. A classification worker may perform
classification work so that items corresponding to order
information may be classified into a corresponding work cell. When
all the items corresponding to the order information are included
in the work cell, the classification worker may provide
classification completion information to the packing worker through
a preset notification method. Here, the items included in the work
cell may be items purchased by one purchaser and delivered to the
same address. The packing worker may perform packing work for a
work cell which is selected based on priority order information
among a plurality of work cells which have been classified.
Specifically, the packing worker may perform packing work for items
included in the work cell which is selected based on priority
information. When the packing work for the items included in the
work cell is completed, the classification worker may receive a
notification through a preset method, and packing completion
information of the corresponding cell may be provided to the
electronic apparatus 10. The electronic apparatus 10 may update
relevant information so that items corresponding to order
information different from the specific order may be included in
the work cell for which the packing work has been completed, and
the updated information may be provided to the classification
worker. The inspection worker may perform a packing inspection of a
package based on the guide information provided through the third
terminal 40. When it is determined as a packing inspection result
that conditions of the guide information are satisfied, the package
which has undergone a packing inspection may be delivered to the
purchaser. On the other hand, when it is determined as a packing
inspection result that conditions of the guide information are not
satisfied, the electronic apparatus 10 may provide an alarm message
to the classification worker or the packing worker. The alarm
message may include information related to a packing error which
occurs during a work process of the classification worker or the
packing worker, and the completion level of the work of the
classification worker or the packing worker may be improved through
the feedback of the alarm message.
[0036] A detailed process performed by the electronic apparatus 10,
the first terminal 20, the second terminal 30, and the third
terminal 40 with regard to information providing will be described
below.
[0037] FIG. 2 illustrates a method of providing information to an
inspection worker according to an example embodiment.
[0038] Referring to FIG. 2, in operation S210, an electronic
apparatus may check an invoice identification number of a package
selected from among one or more packages which have been packed by
at least one packing worker. The invoice identification number is a
unique number including information related to all matters of item
delivery, and the information related to all matters of the package
may be checked by checking the invoice identification number of the
package.
[0039] Specifically, the electronic apparatus may check an invoice
identification number of a package selected through sampling from
among one or more packages which have been packed. The electronic
apparatus does not provide guide information for a packing
inspection of all packages which have been packed and may provide
guide information for a packing inspection of packages sampled
under a preset condition.
[0040] According to the example embodiment, when the number of
packages with a packing error is a reference value or more, the
electronic apparatus may set sampling so that the number of
packages selected during a reference time may increase.
Accordingly, an inspection worker may perform a packing inspection
of a larger number of packages through adjusted sampling, and the
electronic apparatus may track a work process in which a packing
error has occurred (e.g., classification work or packing work) and
provides feedback to the corresponding work process as a result of
tracking so that a packing error rate may be reduced. A specific
process of providing feedback will be described in detail below.
Here, a packing error may correspond to a state in which packing
has not been done based on the guide information. For example,
sampling is performed to select one of ten packages. In this case,
when a packing error rate is 5% or more, the electronic apparatus
which monitors packing errors may adjust sampling so that four of
ten packages which have been packed during one hour may be
selected. When a larger number of packages undergo a packing
inspection, it is possible to track a previous work process in
which a packing error has occurred (e.g., classification work or
packing work), and feedback may be provided to the corresponding
work process as a result of tracking so that the packing error rate
may be reduced. In this case, a level to which the number of
packages selected during the reference time may vary according to
the packing error rate. For example, sampling may be set to
correspond to level 1 when the packing error rate is in the range
of 0% to 5%, sampling may be set to correspond to level 2 when the
packing error rate is in the range of 5% to 10%, and sampling may
be set to correspond to level 3 when the packing error rate is 10%
or more. Here, level 1 may be a setting in which two of ten
packages having been packed are selected during the reference time,
level 2 may be a setting in which four of ten packages having been
packed are selected during the reference time, and level 3 may be a
setting in which seven of ten packages having been packed are
selected during the reference time.
[0041] According to the example embodiment, the electronic
apparatus may monitor packing errors and check a packing worker who
has not packed items based on the guide information. In this case,
the electronic apparatus may set sampling so that the number of
packages completed by the packing worker who has not packed items
based on the guide information may increase. Specifically, the
electronic apparatus may set sampling so that the number of
packages completed by the packing worker who has not packed items
based on the guide information may increase among one or more
packages which have been packed. For example, a first packing
worker and a third packing worker may have a packing error rate
smaller than the reference value, but a second packing worker may
have a packing error rate larger than the reference value. In this
case, the first packing worker may have packed first to tenth
packages, the second packing worker may have packed 11.sup.th to
20.sup.th packages, and the third packing worker may have packed
21.sup.st to 30.sup.th packages. Then, the electronic apparatus may
determine ten packages which will undergo a packing inspection
through sampling among the first to 30.sup.th packages which have
been packed. The electronic apparatus which monitors packing errors
may perform sampling so that the number of packages which have been
packed by the second packing worker who has a larger packing error
rate may be larger than the number of packages which have been
packed by the first packing worker and the third packing worker.
For example, the electronic apparatus may sample six among the
11.sup.th to 20.sup.th packages which have been packed by the
second packing worker, sample two among the first to tenth packages
which have been packed by the first packing worker, and sample two
among the 21.sup.st to 30.sup.th packages which have been packed by
the third packing worker. Here, sampling may be set based on
packing error rates of the packing workers. Specifically, sampling
may be performed at a ratio of A when a packing worker has a
packing error rate of 5% or less, sampling may be performed at a
ratio of B when a packing worker has a packing error rate of 5% to
10%, and sampling may be performed at a ratio of C when a packing
worker has a packing error rate of 10% or more. In this case, the
relationship among A, B, and C may be set to be A<B<C.
Accordingly, sampling may be set so that a larger number of
packages which have been packed by a packing worker who has a
larger packing error rate may undergo a packing inspection.
[0042] According to the example embodiment, when a packing error
rate is the reference value or more, the number of packages
selected during the reference time may be increased. In this case,
the number of packages of a packing worker who has a larger packing
error rate may be increased. The above description may apply
here.
[0043] In operation S220, the electronic apparatus may check a box
identification number of the package. The electronic apparatus may
check the box identification number of the package of which invoice
identification number has been checked.
[0044] In operation S230, the electronic apparatus may provide
guide information for packing inspection of the package based on
the invoice identification number and the box identification
number. Here, the guide information is information about whether
packing of the package is appropriate, and an inspection worker may
perform packing inspection based on the guide information.
Specifically, the electronic apparatus may provide information
related to an arrangement of an auxiliary packing material in the
box. Also, the electronic apparatus may provide information related
to types of items, quantities of the items, whether the items are
damaged, and expiration dates of the items. Further, the electronic
apparatus may provide information on types and quantities of
buffers and refrigerants corresponding to the items. This will be
described in detail below with reference to FIG. 6.
[0045] The electronic apparatus may receive relevant information
from the inspection worker according to the guide information for a
packing inspection. In response to determining that the packing of
the package does not satisfy conditions of the guide information
based on the received relevant information, the electronic
apparatus may determine that there is a packing error.
Alternatively, in response to determining that the packing of the
package satisfies the conditions of the guide information based on
the received relevant information, the electronic apparatus may
determine that the packing is normal. In response to determining
that there is a packing error in the package which has undergone a
packing inspection, the electronic apparatus may provide an alarm
message to the packing worker who has performed packing work on the
package.
[0046] Here, a packing error corresponding to at least one of a
first category and a second category may occur during a packing
process of the packing worker, and the alarm message may include
information related to the packing error which occurs during the
packing process of the packing worker. For example, the alarm
message may include information indicating that a packing error
corresponding to the first category has occurred during the packing
process of the packing worker. Here, the first category may
correspond to packing errors related to refrigerants and packing
materials, and the second category may correspond to packing errors
related to items. Specifically, the first category may correspond
to packing errors related to a discrepancy in the number of
refrigerants, a misuse of a type of refrigerant, an error in
refrigerant position, and a misuse of a type of packaging material.
The second category may correspond to packing errors such as a
discrepancy in an item quantity, damage of an item, an item beyond
an expiration date, and inclusion of an item which has not been
ordered. The alarm message may include information on a category
corresponding to a packing error which occurs during the packing
process of the packing worker, and the packing worker may receive
feedback through the alarm message so that the correctness of
packing work can be improved. Unlike a packing error corresponding
to the first category, with regard to a packing error corresponding
to the second category, an alarm message is transmitted to a
classification worker as well as the packing worker such that
accuracy in classification work of the classification worker can
also be improved through feedback. Alternatively, the electronic
apparatus may check a packing error according to each work-target
set, and feedback is provided to a classification worker and a
packing worker who are in charge of a corresponding work-target set
such that work accuracy can be improved. For example, when a
relatively large number of packing errors occur in a first
work-target set among first to N.sup.th work-target sets, the
electronic apparatus may transmit an alarm message to a
classification worker and a packing worker who are in charge of the
first work-target set. In this case, the alarm message may include
information indicating that a packing error corresponding to the
second category has occurred in the first work-target set.
[0047] According to the example embodiment, when a package has not
been packed based on the guide information, the electronic
apparatus may provide packing-related information of the package so
that the inspection worker can repack the package. According to a
category corresponding to the packing error, the inspection worker
may repack the package based on the packing-related information
displayed on a third terminal or move the package to the packing
worker who is in charge of packing work so that the packing worker
may repack the package. Specifically, when the packing error
corresponds to the first category, the electronic apparatus may
provide packing-related information through the third terminal, and
the inspection worker may repack the package. However, when the
packing error corresponds to the second category, the electronic
apparatus may provide the relevant information through the third
terminal so that the inspection worker may move the package to the
packing worker without repacking the package. For example, when it
is necessary to add dry ice which is a refrigerant, the packing
error corresponds to the first category, and the inspection worker
may repack the package based on the information displayed on the
third terminal. Also, when an item ordered by a purchaser is
missing, the packing error corresponds to the second category. In
this case, the inspection work does not repack the package, and the
package may be moved to the packing worker.
[0048] According to the example embodiment, the electronic
apparatus may provide repacking-related information in
consideration of a work quota of the inspection worker. When the
work quota of the inspection worker is larger than a reference
quota, even in the case of a packing error corresponding to the
first category, the electronic apparatus may provide the relevant
information so that the package may be moved to the packing worker.
Here, the reference quota may be a statistical value which is set
in advance. Specifically, as described above, the electronic
apparatus may set sampling so that the number of packages selected
during the reference time may increase when a packing error rate is
the reference value or more. Also, the work quota of the inspection
worker may increase during the reference time. In this case, even
when the packing error corresponds to the first category, the
electronic apparatus may provide the relevant information so that
the package may be moved to the packing worker.
[0049] FIG. 3 illustrates a method of exchanging information
between an electronic apparatus, a second terminal, and a third
terminal according to an example embodiment. Since the above
description of the electronic apparatus may apply, a description of
overlapping content is omitted.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 3, in operation S301, an electronic
apparatus may check an invoice identification number of a package
selected through sampling from among one or more packages which
have been packed. In operation S303, the electronic apparatus may
check a box identification number of the package, and in operation
S305, the electronic apparatus may check guide information for a
packing inspection. For example, the electronic apparatus may check
a list of items in a box based on the invoice identification number
and check the guide information for a packing inspection about
whether packing has been appropriately done for each item.
[0051] In operation S307, the electronic apparatus may transmit the
guide information to a third terminal. Here, the third terminal may
be a terminal used by an inspection worker. In operation S309, the
third terminal may display the guide information. The inspection
worker may perform a packing inspection using the guide information
displayed on the third terminal. For example, the inspection worker
may input information using the following screens displayed on the
third terminal: i) a screen related to an arrangement of auxiliary
packing materials in the box, ii) a screen related to types of the
items, quantities of the items, whether the items are damaged, and
expiration dates of the items, and iii) a screen related to types
and quantities of buffers and refrigerants corresponding to the
items. This will be described in detail below with reference to
FIG. 6.
[0052] In operation S311, the third terminal may transmit
information input by the inspection worker to the electronic
apparatus. In operation S313, the electronic apparatus may update
information related to a packing inspection. In operation S315, in
response to determining that packing of the package does not
satisfy conditions of the guide information, the electronic
apparatus may transmit an alarm message to at least one of a first
terminal or a second terminal. The alarm message may include
information related to a packing error which has occurred during a
work process of a classification worker or a packing worker. The
first terminal and the second terminal may display the alarm
message so that the classification worker and the packing worker
may check the error and improve an incorrect work process.
[0053] FIG. 4 illustrates an arrangement of a first terminal, a
second terminal, a work-target set, and a third terminal according
to an example embodiment. Since the above description of the
electronic apparatus may apply, a description of overlapping
content is omitted.
[0054] A first terminal 410 may be a device used by a
classification worker, a second terminal 430 may be a device used
by a packing worker, and a third terminal 440 may be a device used
by an inspection worker. Items may be classified into work cells
included in a work-target set 420 based on information checked
through the first terminal 410. In other words, items may be
assigned to work cells using the information checked through the
first terminal 410. For example, a first item and a second item may
be classified into a first work cell included in the work-target
set 420 based on the information checked through the first terminal
410. Also, a third item and a fifth item may be classified into a
second work cell included in the work-target set 420 based on the
information checked through the first terminal 410. When work for
the first work cell is completed, the first terminal 410 may
receive an input of completion from the classification worker, and
the electronic apparatus may check the work cell whose item
classification has been completed.
[0055] The work-target set 420 may include the first work cell to
an N.sup.th work cell. Here, items included in a work cell whose
classification work has been completed may be delivered to the same
address. Items included in the first work cell may be delivered to
a first address, items included in the second work cell may be
delivered to a second address, and items included in the N.sup.th
work cell may be delivered to an N.sup.th address.
[0056] When the classification worker completes the classification
work into work cells based on the information checked through the
first terminal 410, the packing worker may perform packing work for
a work cell whose item classification has been completed based on
information checked through the second terminal 430. In this case,
the electronic apparatus may recommend a work cell based on
priority, and the second terminal 430 may provide the relevant
information to the packing worker. The packing work for a work cell
may be performed based on priority checked through the second
terminal 430. The electronic apparatus may select a work cell based
on priority information from among the first work cell to the
N.sup.th work cell included in the work-target set 420. Priority
may be determined by sequentially considering i) a scheduled
delivery date corresponding to a work cell, ii) a time at which the
classification work has been completed, and iii) the number of
items included in a work cell. Specifically, the electronic
apparatus may provide information related to a work cell according
to priority to the second terminal 430 in consideration of a
scheduled delivery date corresponding to each work cell. When work
cells have the same scheduled delivery date, the electronic
apparatus may provide information related to a work cell according
to priority to the second terminal 430 in consideration of times at
which classification work of the work cells has been completed. For
example, when the first work cell and the third work cell have the
same scheduled delivery date, the electronic apparatus may
preferentially recommend, to the packing worker, the first work
cell whose classification work has been completed first. Also, when
work cells have the same time at which the classification work has
been completed, the electronic apparatus may provide information
related to a work cell according to priority to the second terminal
430 in consideration of the numbers of items included in the work
cells. A package whose packing work has been completed according to
priority may be transferred to the inspection worker.
[0057] The inspection worker may perform a packing inspection of a
package selected from among one or more packages which have been
packed based on information checked through the third terminal 440.
For example, when first to 30.sup.th packages have been packed, the
inspection worker may perform a packing inspection of a package
checked through the third terminal 440. In this case, the package
checked through the third terminal 440 may be a package selected
through sampling from among the first to 30.sup.th packages.
[0058] FIG. 5 illustrates an arrangement of work cells according to
an example embodiment.
[0059] A work-target set may include at least one work cell. For
example, the work-target set may include work cells A01 to A05,
work cells C01 to C07, and work cells E01 to E10. A row of work
cells included in the work-target set may be determined in
connection with delivery information. For example, the work cells A
and the work cells C may be classified based on delivery
information. A first terminal may provide information related to a
work cell to which items will be assigned using identification
information and delivery information of the items, and a
classification worker may classify the items into a corresponding
work cell using the first terminal. The first terminal may receive
an input indicating that item classification into work cells has
been completed from the classification worker, and the electronic
apparatus may provide information on a work cell according to
priority among the work cells of which item classification has been
completed to a second terminal.
[0060] FIGS. 6A to 6K illustrate screens displayed on a terminal
used by an inspection worker according to an example embodiment.
Guide information for a packing inspection may be displayed on a
screen, and an inspection worker may perform a packing inspection
according to the guide information displayed on the screen.
[0061] FIG. 6A shows a screen which helps with an inspection of an
invoice identification number of a package. In the screen, an area
601 may display information related to an inspection worker (e.g.,
a name or an identification number of the inspection worker) who is
in charge of the packing inspection. When a previous inspection
worker logs out and then a new inspection worker logs in, the new
inspection worker may perform a packing inspection. An area 603 may
display a message "Scan invoice identification number of package to
be inspected" and the inspection worker may scan an invoice
identification number of a package selected through sampling. When
the invoice identification number has not been verified for
shipment, the electronic apparatus, which checks the invoice
identification number, may provide information "Invoice
identification number is invalid" to a third terminal.
[0062] FIG. 6B shows a screen which helps with an inspection of a
box identification number of a package. An area 605 may display the
invoice identification number checked in FIG. 6A. An area 607 may
display a message "Scan box identification number of package to be
inspected" and the inspection worker may scan a box identification
number of the package. An area 609 may display a message "Is
package with no box identification number?" and the inspection
worker may select the area 609 when the package does not have a box
identification number. When the box identification number is
invalid, the electronic apparatus may provide information "Box
identification number is invalid" to the third terminal.
[0063] FIG. 6C shows a screen which helps with an inspection of an
arrangement of an auxiliary packing material and a position of
refrigerants. An area 611 may display a message "Select how
auxiliary packing material is arranged in box." The arrangement of
an auxiliary packing material may be set in advance in
consideration of the number of items and the size of items. For
example, when different types of items, which are refrigerated
items and frozen items, are packed together with different types of
refrigerants, the auxiliary packing material may be arranged in two
small "c" shapes so that the refrigerated items and the frozen
items may be separated. The inspection worker may check the
arrangement of the auxiliary packing material in the box and select
the relevant information on the screen. For example, the inspection
worker may select one of preset arrangement forms including i) one
large "c" shape, ii) one small "c" shape, iii) two small "c"
shapes, and iv) no auxiliary packing material. Here, the auxiliary
packing material may be a packing material put in the box to fix
items and refrigerants. For example, when refrigerated items and an
icepack are in the box, the refrigerated items may be separated
from the icepack during a delivery process such that a temperature
of the refrigerated items may not be maintained. However, when the
refrigerated items and the icepack are fixed by an auxiliary
packing material, the temperature of the refrigerated items may be
maintained by the icepack during the delivery process.
[0064] An area 613 may display a message "Is there refrigerant on
top of items?." Refrigerated items or frozen items are packed
together with a refrigerant corresponding thereto, and each
refrigerant may be packed together with items at a preset position.
For example, an icepack may be put on top of refrigerated items,
and dry ice may be put on top of frozen items. Refrigerants may be
packed at preset positions with an auxiliary packing material
together with items and delivered.
[0065] FIG. 6D shows a screen which helps with an inspection of
information related to buffers in an auxiliary packing material. In
this case, buffer inspection 615 may be activated from among the
buffer inspection 615, item scanning 617, and damage check 619. An
area 621 may display a message "Open auxiliary packing material and
input the number of buffers." Since the box containing items and
buffers therein may be sealed with the auxiliary packing material,
the inspection worker may open the auxiliary packing material and
check buffers. Here, the buffers may include refrigerants, such as
dry ice and icepacks, and also include supplementary materials,
such as a damage-preventing material, for preventing damage caused
by impact during a delivery process. The inspection worker may open
the auxiliary packing material to input the number of pieces of dry
ice and the number of icepacks and may input information related to
a damage-preventing material.
[0066] FIG. 6E shows a screen which helps with item scanning. In
this case, the item scanning 617 may be activated from among the
buffer inspection 615, the item scanning 617, and the damage check
619. An area 623 may display a message "Scan all items in box," and
the inspection worker may scan all the items. Specifically, as
shown in FIG. 6F, the inspection worker may scan items A, and a
screen may be displayed to help with an inspection of information
(e.g., the number, expiration date, and production date) which is
checked when the items A are scanned. Also, as shown in FIG. 6G,
the inspection worker may scan items B as well, and a screen may be
displayed to help with an inspection of information (e.g., the
number, expiration date, and production date) which is checked when
the items B are scanned. Here, when a purchaser has ordered the
items A and items C rather than the items A and the items B, the
third terminal may display, on the screen, a notification that the
items B are packed by mistake and the items C are missing. Also,
when the number of items A that the purchaser has ordered is two
rather than three, the third terminal may display the discrepancy
in the quantity of items A on the screen.
[0067] FIG. 6H shows a screen which helps with a damage check. In
this case, the damage check 619 may be activated from among the
buffer inspection 615, the item scanning 617, and the damage check
619. An area 625 may display a message "See if any item is damaged
and select" and the inspection worker may check whether there is a
damaged item and select the relevant information on the screen.
[0068] FIG. 6I shows a screen which helps with an inspection when
refrigerated items and frozen items are packed together. When
refrigerated items and frozen items are packed together,
refrigerant check 627 may be displayed in addition to the buffer
inspection 615, the item scanning 617, and the damage check 619,
and the refrigerant check 627 may be activated. An area 629 may
display a message "Is there icepack for refrigeration and dry ice
for freezing?" and the inspection worker may check whether
refrigerants corresponding to the refrigerated items and the frozen
items are packed together and select the relevant information on
the screen.
[0069] FIG. 6J shows a screen which helps with an inspection when
packing is normal, and FIG. 6K shows a screen which helps with an
inspection when there is a packing error. When it is checked as a
packing inspection result that packing work for the package has
been performed normally, a message "Normal. Put package on conveyor
so shipping can continue" may be displayed as shown in an area 631,
and the inspection worker may put the package which has undergone a
packing inspection on a conveyor.
[0070] When a packing inspection result is checked that packing
work for the package has been performed incorrectly, a message
"Error. Repack and then deliver package" may be displayed as shown
in an area 633, and the inspection worker may repack the package.
For example, when there is not enough damage-preventing material as
a buffer inspection result, the quantity of items is incorrect, an
item is damaged, or refrigerants corresponding to refrigerated
items and frozen items are not included, the electronic apparatus
may determine that an inspection result shows a packing error and
provide packing-related information for repacking to the third
terminal. For example, when the packing error corresponds to the
first category which indicates packing errors related to
refrigerants and a packing material, the electronic apparatus may
provide packing-related information for repacking by the inspection
worker to the third terminal. On the other hand, when the packing
error corresponds to the second category which indicates packing
errors related to items, the electronic apparatus may provide the
relevant information to the third terminal so that the package may
be transferred to the packing worker.
[0071] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an electronic apparatus
according to an example embodiment.
[0072] An electronic apparatus 700 may include a communication
device 710, a display 720, and a controller 730 according to the
example embodiment. In the electronic apparatus 700 shown in FIG.
7, only elements related to this embodiment are shown. Accordingly,
those skilled in the art should understand that general-use
elements other than those shown in FIG. 7 may be further included.
Since the above description of the electronic apparatus may apply
to the electronic apparatus 700, a description of overlapping
content is omitted.
[0073] The communication device 710 is a device for performing
wired or wireless communication and may communicate with an
external electronic apparatus. The external electronic apparatus
may be a terminal or a server. Communication technology employed by
the communication device 710 may be global system for mobile
communication (GSM), CDMA, LTE, fifth generation (5G), wireless LAN
(WLAN), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth.TM., radio frequency identification
(RFID), IrDA, ZigBee, NFC, and the like. According to the example
embodiment, the communication device 710 may be referred to as a
transceiver, and the electronic apparatus 700 may exchange
information with the terminal through the transceiver.
[0074] The display 720 may display information related to the
operation of the electronic apparatus 700.
[0075] The controller 730 may control the overall operation of the
electronic apparatus 700 and process data and signals. The
controller 730 may be configured with at least one hardware unit.
Also, the controller 730 may be operated by one or more software
modules which are generated by executing program code stored in a
memory. The controller 730 may include a processor and a memory,
and the processor may control the overall operation of the
electronic apparatus 700 and process data and signals by executing
program code stored in the memory. According to the example
embodiment, the controller 730 may include at least one
processor.
[0076] The controller 730 may check an invoice identification
number of a package which is selected through sampling from among
one or more packages having been packed and check a box
identification number. Also, the controller 730 may provide guide
information for packing inspection of the package based on invoice
identification number and the box identification number. The
inspection worker may perform a packing inspection according to the
guide information so that appropriately packed items may be
delivered to a purchaser, and thus the purchaser's trust may be
improved.
[0077] The electronic apparatus or terminal according to the
above-described example embodiments may include a processor, a
memory which stores and executes program data, a permanent storage
such as a disk drive, a communication port which communicates with
an external device, a user interface such as a touch panel, keys,
and buttons, and the like. Methods realized as software modules or
algorithms may be stored as computer-readable code or program
commands, which can be executed by the processor, in a
computer-readable recording medium. Examples of the
computer-readable recording medium include magnetic storage media
(e.g., a read-only memory (ROM), a random-access memory (RAM), a
floppy disk, and a hard disk), optical reading media (e.g., a
compact disc (CD)-ROM and a digital versatile disc (DVD)), and the
like. The computer-readable recording medium can also be
distributed over computer systems connected via a network so that
the computer-readable code is stored and executed in a distributed
manner. The computer-readable recording medium may be read by a
computer, stored in the memory, and executed by the processor.
[0078] The example embodiments of the present disclosure may be
realized as functional blocks and various processing operations.
The functional blocks may be realized as a plurality of hardware
and/or software elements which execute specific functions. For
example, the example embodiments may employ integrated circuits
including a memory, processing, a logic, a look-up table, etc.
which are used to execute various functions through control of one
or more microprocessors or other control devices. While elements of
the embodiments may be executed by software programming or software
elements, the embodiments may be realized with programming or
scripting languages including C, C++, Java, assembler, etc. to
include various algorithms which are realized as combinations of
data structures, processes, routines, or other programming
elements. Functional aspects may be realized using algorithms which
are executed by one or more processors. Also, the example
embodiments may employ conventional techniques for electronic
environment setting, signal processing, data processing, and/or the
like. The terms such as "mechanism," "element," "means," and
"structure" may be widely used and are not limited to mechanical
and physical configurations. The terms may include the meanings of
a series of routines of software in connection to a processor and
the like.
[0079] The above-described example embodiments are only exemplary,
and other embodiments may be implemented in the scope of the
following claims.
* * * * *