Autonomous Cargo Delivery Storage Access With Recipient Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional unmanned delivery systems for autonomous cargo transportation vehicles lack convenience for users in terms of cargo management and delivery processes.

Innovation Solution

A management device and system that includes a receiver for request information, an operation determiner to direct the vehicle to the delivery destination, a registrant for user authentication, and a processor to control storage mechanisms for secure unloading, with features for recipient registration, authentication, and information sharing across multiple users.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If conventional unmanned delivery systems are used, then autonomous cargo transportation is achieved, but user convenience in cargo management and delivery processes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautonomous cargo transportationVSAvoiduser convenience in cargo management

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The management device serves as an intermediary between the autonomous cargo transportation vehicle and the user. It receives delivery requests, manages recipient information, controls storage mechanisms, and coordinates authentication processes, thereby maintaining user convenience while enabling autonomous transportation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service delivery where the autonomous vehicle transports cargo and the management device handles recipient authentication and storage control automatically. Users simply request delivery and receive notifications, without needing to manually manage the complex delivery process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple recipients are registered for cargo delivery, then flexibility in delivery is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in deliveryVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple recipients are pre-registered in the management device before cargo delivery. The system stores recipient information and credentials in advance, so when cargo arrives, the management device can automatically authenticate any pre-registered recipient without requiring manual intervention or complex real-time decision-making.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If authentication process is implemented for cargo unloading, then cargo security is improved, but unloading process time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecargo securityVSAvoidunloading process time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Recipient authentication credentials are registered in advance in the management device. When unloading occurs, the management device quickly verifies the recipient's credentials against pre-stored information, enabling fast authentication without manual verification processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The manual authentication process is replaced with automated electronic verification. The management device communicates with the autonomous vehicle's authentication mechanism to verify recipient credentials electronically, eliminating the need for manual identity verification and reducing unloading time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If storage mechanism is controlled for secure unloading, then cargo security is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecargo securityVSAvoidstorage control mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The management device acts as an intermediary that controls the storage mechanism's door based on authentication results. Instead of creating a complex integrated system, the management device receives authentication outcomes and sends simple control signals to open or close the storage door, maintaining security while minimizing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11919542B2Management device, transportation system, and management method

Publication Date: 2024.03.05 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A management device for managing an operation of a cargo transportation vehicle that autonomously travels on a road with no driver and that is able to store cargo in each of a plurality of storages shielded by doors that are opened and closed includes a receiver configured to receive request information about transportation of the cargo from a user, an operation determiner configured to determine the operation of the cargo transportation vehicle so that the cargo transportation vehicle arrives at a delivery destination of the cargo, a registrant configured to register a plurality of users pre-designated as recipients of the cargo, and a processor configured to perform a process of controlling a control mechanism of the storage so that the recipient is able to unload the cargo from the storage when an authentication process on the recipient registered by the registrant has succeeded.