Innovative Supply Chain Solutions: Patents and Their Impact

Supply chains form the backbone of global commerce, connecting manufacturers, suppliers, and consumers across the world. In recent years, the supply chain domain has experienced a surge in innovative solutions aimed at enhancing efficiency, transparency, and sustainability.

Patents play a crucial role in protecting these groundbreaking technologies, allowing inventors to capitalize on their innovations while driving industry-wide advancements. This blog delves into some of the most transformative innovations in supply chain technology and explores their patenting process.

Disruptions Over the Last Decade

The supply chain industry has faced numerous disruptions over the last decade, from trade wars and the COVID-19 pandemic to the Suez Canal obstruction, semiconductor chip shortages, and fluctuating oil prices. These challenges have placed significant stress on supply chain companies, prompting them to mitigate risks of all kinds. Innovation plays a key role in ensuring a smooth supply chain operation, even in times of distress.

We have witnessed numerous exciting innovations in the past that disclose various methods or systems to reduce logistics costs, handle out-of-stock situations, predict inventory needs through AI, manage warehousing, and more. However, some may not have considered other potential improvements in logistics where AI and blockchain could play a significant role. Below are a few examples of innovations protected by major industry players:

  • Machine learning assisting with alternative product suggestions when a high-demand product goes out of stock.
  • Managing freight and its multiple aspects through a centralized system.
  • Innovative methods for stacking containers in warehouses.
  • Using blockchain to trace queries and manage parallel requests in logistics.

A detailed view of these advanced patents is highlighted below:

1. US11847685B2
Title: Systems and methods for determining substitutions
Assigned to: Walmart Apollo LLC
This patent describes a system that uses machine learning to identify suitable substitute items when the original item is out of stock. The system involves determining a list of possible substitutes, training a machine learning algorithm with labeled data, and assigning similarity and historical substitution scores to each substitute. The system then calculates final scores, ranks the substitutes, and stores the top-ranked substitute as additional training data for further refinement.

2. US11748693B2
Title: Supply chain visibility platform
Assigned to: Fourkites Inc
This patent outlines systems and methods for dynamically predicting the visibility of freights in environments with limited or unavailable direct tracking data. The system predicts the route a carrier will take based on attributes like the carrier’s identity, industry, shipper, load characteristics, and pickup time. It then generates a tracking interface displaying the predicted route, providing visibility into the freight’s journey.

3. US11810048B2 –
Title: Unmanned delivery system by unmanned delivery vehicle
Assigned to: ZMP Inc
This patent describes an unmanned delivery system that includes a merchandise collection point, vehicle waiting areas, and a management center overseeing inventory and delivery vehicle status. The system autonomously assigns delivery vehicles based on product order information, inventory status, and delivery location, ensuring efficient and automated delivery of goods.

4. US11760569B2 –
Title: Storage and Retrieval System
Assigned to: Symbotic Inc
This patent describes a warehousing system designed for the efficient storage and retrieval of goods in containers. The system features a multilevel storage array, continuous lift system, and transport vehicles that move containers between the lift and storage locations. The system optimizes storage, retrieval, and order fulfillment processes in a warehouse setting.

5. US11650601B2 –
Title: Methods, systems and apparatus for controlling movement of transporting devices
Assigned to: Ocado Innovation Ltd
This patent outlines a system and method for controlling the movement of transporting devices within a facility. The facility features a grid-like structure of pathways above stacks, where transporting devices operate. The system optimizes the operation and management of these devices, ensuring efficient container transport.

6. US11714836B2 –
Title: Method for high-performance traceability query oriented to multi-chain data association
Assigned to: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
This patent describes a method for conducting high-performance traceability queries across multiple blockchain chains. The method allows for parallel query requests, enhancing the efficiency of traceability queries and improving the scalability of the entire system.

7. US11636425B2 –
Title: Decentralized ledger supply chain planning interchange
Assigned to: Individual
This patent describes a data structure for a decentralized ledger interchange object used for managing item quantities over time. The structure enables efficient tracking and management of item quantities across various computerized systems, including time-based manufacturing and pricing.

8. US11829942B2 –
Title: Blockchain enabled transaction processing for an industrial asset supply chain
Assigned to: General Electric Co
This patent describes a system designed to facilitate transaction processing within an industrial asset supply chain. The system ensures that both pre- and post-delivery events associated with an industrial asset are securely logged via a distributed transaction ledger, providing a comprehensive and traceable record of the asset’s status.

9. US11687054B2 –
Title: Method for verifying a value stream along a transport route or in warehouse stock by means of blockchain technology
Assigned to: Endress and Hauser SE and Co KG
This patent describes a method for verifying a value stream along a transport route or in warehouse stock using blockchain technology. The method ensures secure, transparent, and traceable verification of the value stream for products in transit or in storage.

10. US11657362B1 –
Title: Supply chain management, tracking, and integration platform
Assigned to: Fourkites Inc
This patent describes a system and method for supply chain management, tracking, and integration. The system automates the extraction and integration of booking data into a centralized management system, streamlining the management and tracking of shipments throughout the supply chain process.

Conclusion

Innovation is the lifeblood of the supply chain industry, enabling companies to navigate challenges and optimize their operations. The patents listed above represent some of the most transformative technologies driving advancements in supply chain management. As these innovations continue to evolve, they will play a crucial role in shaping the future of global commerce.

For more information on how patents can protect your innovations in the supply chain domain, feel free to contact us.