Simulating a return network

US11315066B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• International Business Machines Corporation · US

Inventors

• Ajay A. Deshpande · White Plains, US
• Ali Koc · White Plains, US
• Brian Leo Quanz · Yorktown Heights, US
• Jae-Eun Park · Wappingers Falls, US
• Yada Zhu · Yorktown Heights, US
• Yingjie Li · Elgin, US
• Christopher S. Milite · Oxford, US
• Xuan Liu · Yorktown Heights, US
• Chandrasekhar Narayanaswami · Wilton, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 10, 2020
• Grant date: Apr 26, 2022
• Expiry date: Jan 10, 2040

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q30/0205
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

Embodiments herein describe a return network simulation system that can simulate changes in a retailer's return network to determine the impact of those changes. Advantageously, being able to accurately simulate the retailer's return network means changes can be evaluated without first making those adjustments in the physical return network. Doing so avoids the cost of implementing the changes on the return network without first being able to predict whether the changes will have a net positive result (e.g., a positive result that offsets any negative results). A retailer can first simulate the change on the return network, review how the change affects one or more KPIs, and then decide whether to implement the change in the actual return network. As a result, the retailer has a reliable indicator whether the changes will result in a desired effect.