Automated parcel machine devices and systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated parcel machines lack efficient communication channels for real-time package registry updates, relying on user-connected mobile devices to send information to servers, which delays updates.
Innovation Solution
The automated parcel machine module incorporates a low-power wide-area module for communication with a server over a cellular network using NB-IoT or LTE-M protocols and a low-power personal-area module for communication with additional modules using Bluetooth Low-Energy (BLE), enabling simultaneous communication with servers and other modules for immediate status synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the automated parcel machine relies on user-connected mobile devices to send information to servers, then the device complexity is reduced, but the update speed of package registry status is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system is segmented into two distinct modules: a low-power wide-area module for server communication and a low-power personal-area module for inter-module communication. This segmentation enables simultaneous communication channels, allowing the main controller to directly update the package registry status on the server without waiting for user mobile device interactions, thereby resolving the contradiction between update speed and device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the automated parcel machine uses battery power, then the installation flexibility is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The low-power wide-area module and low-power personal-area module are designed to operate in periodic or event-driven modes rather than continuous operation. The modules activate only when data synchronization is needed or when events occur (such as parcel status changes), significantly reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining installation flexibility provided by battery power.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes low-power communication protocols (NB-IoT for wide-area and BLE for personal-area) that operate at optimized power parameters. These protocols enable efficient energy usage by adjusting transmission power, data rate, and sleep/wake cycles, allowing the battery-powered machine to achieve both installation flexibility and reduced energy consumption.
3Productivity
If the automated parcel machine implements simultaneous communication with servers and other modules, then the productivity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The low-power personal-area module acts as an intermediary between the main controller and additional APM modules. This intermediary handles inter-module communication locally, allowing the main controller to focus on server communication and package registry updates. The intermediary approach enables simultaneous multi-channel communication while distributing complexity across modular components, thereby improving productivity without concentrating all complexity in one device.
Data Source
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AI summary
A device (100, 300, 101) may include a body comprising a plurality of parcel insertion slots. A device may include a device board (500) for controlling operations of the device, the device board comprising a controller (502, 700) comprising: at least one processor, at least one memory operably coupled to the at least one processor, a low-power wide-area module configured for communication with a server over a first communication link, and a low-power personal-area module configured for communication with a second automated parcel machine (APM) module over a second communication link.