Appliance Control Device Temporary Deactivation for Secure Package Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Remote controls for infrastructural appliances, such as garage door openers, can pose security risks during package deliveries, allowing unauthorized access to homes when delivery personnel gain access to the remote control.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that temporarily deactivates vehicle electronic devices, including appliance control devices, upon receiving a vehicle access request, allowing secure package delivery without enabling unauthorized access to the home.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the appliance control device remains active during vehicle access, then convenience is maintained, but security risk increases due to potential unauthorized access to home
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the operational state of the appliance control device based on the delivery context. The device transitions from an active state (normal operation) to a deactivated state (security mode) automatically when a delivery is detected, and reactivates when the delivery context ends. This dynamic state change resolves the contradiction by adapting the device's operational status to the specific situation rather than maintaining a fixed state.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary deactivation of the appliance control device before the delivery personnel can potentially access it. By detecting the delivery context and automatically deactivating the device in advance, the system prevents the security risk from materializing. The reactivation occurs after the delivery is complete, ensuring the device is ready for normal use again. This preliminary action eliminates the need for manual user intervention while maintaining both security and convenience.
2Reliability
If the appliance control device is deactivated to prevent unauthorized access, then security is improved, but loss of functionality occurs during normal use
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic state management where the appliance control device switches between active and deactivated states based on contextual signals. When a delivery is detected (via geofence entry, vehicle proximity, or user indication), the device automatically deactivates. When the delivery context ends (geofence exit, vehicle departure, or user confirmation), the device reactivates. This ensures the device maintains full functionality during normal use while providing automatic security protection during delivery scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter of the appliance control device from 'enabled' to 'disabled' based on the delivery context. This parameter change is temporary and reversible, allowing the device to maintain its full functionality during normal operation while automatically transitioning to a secure disabled state when a delivery is detected. The system monitors contextual parameters (vehicle presence, geofence status) to trigger appropriate parameter changes.
3Reliability
If manual deactivation is required to ensure security during delivery, then security control is maintained, but user burden increases and convenience is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service functionality where the appliance control device automatically detects the delivery context and manages its own deactivation and reactivation without requiring manual user intervention. The system monitors for delivery signals (vehicle proximity, geofence entry, user mobile device indications) and autonomously transitions the device between active and deactivated states. This eliminates the user burden of manual deactivation while maintaining security control, as the system handles the entire process automatically.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms to detect delivery contexts and trigger appropriate responses. When the system detects signals indicating a delivery is occurring (such as vehicle proximity, geofence entry, or user mobile device notifications), it automatically deactivates the appliance control device. When the delivery context ends, the system reactivates the device. This feedback-driven automation eliminates the need for manual user action while ensuring security is maintained during delivery scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
One general aspect includes a method to temporarily deactivate one or more electronics devices installed in a vehicle, the method including: (a) receiving, at a controller, a vehicle access request; (b) in response to the vehicle access request, generating, via the controller, a vehicle access command configured to unlock one or more vehicle doors; (c) in response to the vehicle access request, generating, via the controller, an electronics deactivation command configured to at least temporarily deactivate one or more vehicle electronic devices; and (d) sending the vehicle access command and electronics deactivation command to a remotely located vehicle. Other embodiments of this aspect include corresponding computer systems, apparatus, and computer programs recorded on one or more computer storage devices, each configured to perform the actions of the methods.