The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 12, 2011
Filed:
Feb. 14, 2008
Brian J. Moran, Shaker Heights, OH (US);
Jeffrey S. Owen, Arlington, VA (US);
Lisa D. Hardin, Decatur, GA (US);
Ajay K. Easo, Chicago, IL (US);
Olutayo O. Oladunni, Chicago, IL (US);
Brian J. Moran, Shaker Heights, OH (US);
Jeffrey S. Owen, Arlington, VA (US);
Lisa D. Hardin, Decatur, GA (US);
Ajay K. Easo, Chicago, IL (US);
Olutayo O. Oladunni, Chicago, IL (US);
Accenture Global Services Limited, Dublin, IE;
Abstract
Aspects of the invention relate to systems and methods for improving a sort plan. According to one embodiment, several groups are formed where each group contains articles having an identifier of a hierarchical structure. In certain embodiments, the identifier may include a geographical indication, such as a postal or ZIP code. Further aspects relate to systems and methods for conducting sort plan optimization where at least some prior data is known or otherwise obtainable. In one embodiment, data relating to the quantity of groups within the sort plan, the quantity of articles associated with each identifier, and/or the quantity of articles within each group may be estimated or known. In certain embodiments, such data may be utilized to assign articles to specific bins, including any available bin, and then optimize the sort plan by selecting at least one bin for improvement.