Selection of access control apparatuses on an access authorisation verification apparatus on the basis of information from a shipment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Delivery personnel face delays in accessing parcel boxes due to the time-consuming process of selecting the correct access authorization information from multiple options stored on their devices, which is necessary to open each parcel box in their delivery district.

Innovation Solution

An access authorization verification device that identifies relevant access control devices by comparing shipment data records with stored address information, allowing users to confirm and communicate access authorization information directly to the appropriate access control device, reducing the number of options and streamlining the access process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple access authorization information are stored on the deliverer's device for all parcel boxes in the delivery district, then the deliverer can access any parcel box, but the time required to select the correct access authorization information increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess capabilityVSAvoidselection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The access authorization information is segmented and organized by geographic location (street, house number, postal code). The deliverer's device divides the large set of access authorizations into smaller groups based on the destination address components, allowing quick navigation to the relevant subset without searching through all parcel boxes in the delivery district.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The access authorization information is pre-organized and structured according to address hierarchy (postal code, street, house number) before the deliverer needs to use it. This preliminary organization enables the device to quickly present only the relevant access options based on the destination address, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual search and selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If all access control devices are listed for selection, then the deliverer can choose the correct parcel box, but the complexity of the interface and selection process increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveselection easeVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The interface segments the list of access control devices by hierarchical address levels. Instead of presenting all parcel boxes at once, the interface first displays postal codes, then streets, then house numbers, allowing the deliverer to navigate through progressively smaller sets until reaching the specific parcel box. This segmentation dramatically reduces the number of items visible at any one time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The selection process transitions from a two-dimensional list view to a multi-dimensional hierarchical navigation structure. The deliverer moves through address components in sequence (postal code → street → house number → parcel box), adding dimensional layers to the selection process that reduce complexity at each step by filtering out irrelevant options.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If manual selection of access control device is required, then the deliverer has control over the selection, but the delivery process speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery speedVSAvoidoperational simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-calculates and presents the correct access control device options based on the destination address entered or scanned. The deliverer's device automatically filters and ranks the relevant parcel boxes according to the address match quality, so the deliverer only needs to confirm or select from a small number of pre-sorted options rather than searching through all possibilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The address information acts as an intermediary that bridges the deliverer and the correct access control device. By using the destination address as the key, the system automatically translates the delivery destination into the corresponding parcel box identification, eliminating the need for manual matching and significantly speeding up the process while maintaining simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3077966B1Selection of access control apparatuses on an access authorisation verification apparatus on the basis of information from a shipment
Publication Date: 2022.02.09 DEUT POST AG
  • EP3077966B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3077966B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3077966B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The disclosure relates, inter alia, to a method (400), performed by an access authorisation verification apparatus (3), said method comprising: obtaining (402) a piece of information from a transmission (5); identifying (403) a transmission data record from a multiplicity of transmission data records, which are stored on the access authorisation verification apparatus (3), using the piece of information obtained from the transmission (5), wherein the transmission data record comprises address information associated with the transmission; determining (407) one or more access control apparatuses from a multiplicity of access control apparatuses on the basis of a result of a comparison of the address information of the transmission data record with respective address information that is associated with the access control apparatuses and stored on the access authorisation verification apparatus (3) and/or with respective address information that is associated with the user(s) of the access control apparatus and stored on the access authorisation verification apparatus (3); allowing selection (415) and/or confirmation (413) of an access control apparatus (4) for the one or more determined access control apparatus(es) by a user (6) of the access authorisation verification apparatus (3); and communicating (419) access authorisation information associated with the access control apparatus (4) to the access control apparatus (4) in order to gain access to a room associated with the access control apparatus (4), so that the transmission (5) can be placed into or removed from the room. In addition, the disclosure relates to a corresponding method (300) for providing (310) transmission data records, access authorisation information associated with access control apparatuses and/or the users thereof and address information associated with the access control apparatuses, to apparatuses (2, 3) performing the methods (300, 400), computer programs associated with the methods and an appropriately set up system (1).