Parcel locker system with autonomous clusters of compartments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic parcel locker systems are costly, complex, and inflexible, requiring expert installation and maintenance, with issues such as the need for electrical power connections and long-distance communication, which limits their installation to specific locations and complicates compartment swapping and upgrading.
Innovation Solution
A parcel locker system with autonomous compartments clusters that communicate via short-distance wireless communication, eliminating the need for central controllers and long-distance communication systems, allowing for easy installation, configuration, and maintenance by non-experts, using energy management modules for low-power operation and radio transceivers for local communication with mobile devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If prior art electronic parcel lockers use long-distance communication with remote shipping systems, then centralized control and management is achieved, but installation complexity and cost increase, and installation locations are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the parcel locker into autonomous compartments that can operate independently with local short-distance communication, eliminating the need for complex long-distance communication infrastructure while maintaining functional independence and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces mobile devices as intermediaries between users and the parcel locker system, enabling communication and control without requiring direct long-distance communication between the locker and remote shipping systems, thus simplifying installation
2Reliability
If prior art electronic parcel lockers are assembled as complete units in manufacturing plants, then system integration is achieved, but transportation cost and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The parcel locker is segmented into modular compartments that can be manufactured separately and assembled on-site, reducing transportation requirements and installation complexity while maintaining system integration through standardized interfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows for dynamic configuration and reconfiguration of compartments, enabling flexible assembly and adaptation to different installation environments without requiring expert intervention
3Duration of action of stationary object
If prior art electronic parcel lockers require electrical power connections, then continuous operation is ensured, but installation flexibility and location options are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic wake-up cycles where sleeping compartments periodically activate to communicate status and receive commands, enabling continuous operation monitoring with minimal energy consumption and without requiring constant power connections
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the limitation of no power connection into a benefit by using battery-powered or energy-harvesting modules that enable installation in locations without electrical infrastructure, such as underground or remote areas
4Ease of manufacture
If prior art electronic parcel lockers use standard-width compartments assembled vertically, then manufacturing simplicity is achieved, but adaptability to different configurations and locations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses segmented compartments with standardized interfaces that can be arranged in various configurations (horizontal, vertical, clustered) to adapt to different installation spaces while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The compartments are designed with universal mounting interfaces and standardized dimensions that allow them to serve multiple installation configurations and locations, increasing versatility without complicating manufacturing
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic locker system for parcel deposit and pick-up, comprising: a remote shipping system, a long distance communication network, at least one mobile device communicating via the long distance communication network with the remote shipping system, at least one parcel locker constituted of at least one autonomous compartments cluster including at least one compartment equipped with a door and including a locking module, which electronically controls locking and unlocking of the door and which establishes a local communication with the at least one mobile device via a short distance communication, wherein the locking module comprises: an energy management module configured for managing transitions of energy modes and allowing the at least one autonomous compartments cluster to be run in a deep sleep mode or in a sleep mode and regularly allowing a wake-up from said deep sleep mode to said sleep mode, a radio transceiver module equipped with an antenna, and at least one processor running a firmware configured for, while in the sleep mode, regularly emitting with the radio transceiver module a broadcasted short message towards the at least one mobile device.