Beacon-Based Locker Access for Shopping Center Package Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Shoppers face difficulties in carrying packages across large shopping centers, leading to a burden that often cuts short their intended shopping trips, as existing solutions do not effectively alleviate the need to manually manage and transport purchases.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing mobile devices to automatically access and interact with beacons associated with lockers, allowing for secure retrieval and deposit of packages without manual identification, using a network-based system that includes mobile devices, beacons, merchant servers, and service provider servers to facilitate transactions and package management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If shoppers manually carry packages across shopping centers, then they can retrieve purchases from different stores, but the burden of carrying packages increases and shopping trips are cut short
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces lockers as intermediary storage units positioned throughout the shopping center. Shoppers can deposit packages in lockers at one location and retrieve them at another, eliminating the need to carry packages across the shopping center while maintaining the ability to shop at multiple stores.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the shopping center into multiple zones with distributed lockers positioned at convenient locations. This segmentation allows shoppers to deposit packages at one zone and retrieve them at another zone, reducing carrying distance and burden while maintaining access to all stores.
2Reliability
If manual identification and authentication are required for locker access, then security is maintained, but user friction increases and convenience decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical authentication systems (keypad entry, physical keys) with mobile device-based authentication using wireless communication protocols. The mobile device automatically communicates with the locker system, eliminating manual input while maintaining security through encrypted communication and device-specific credentials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements automatic authentication where the mobile device self-identifies to the locker system without requiring user intervention. The system automatically verifies credentials and unlocks the appropriate locker, reducing user friction while maintaining security through automated verification processes.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for retrieving or depositing a package using a beacon are described. A locker and parking space are assigned to a user or selected by the user, and the user is able to access the locker using a mobile device. The mobile device transmits identification information to a beacon associated with the locker. This information is passed to a service provider, who identifies the user or the locker and causes the locker to open.