Connected Scale Package Delivery Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing monitoring systems for properties lack efficient methods to securely manage and verify the delivery of packages, particularly in ensuring that packages are safely stored until authorized retrieval and alerting users of delivery events.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a connected scale device into a monitoring system that detects package weight, arms upon delivery, and communicates with a user device to notify of package receipt, while allowing disarm via codes, biometrics, or proximity, and triggering alarms if packages are removed without authorization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a connected scale device is integrated into the monitoring system to detect package weight and provide notifications, then package delivery monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackage delivery monitoring capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into the connected scale device: weight detection, notification triggering, and integration with the monitoring system. This merging approach improves package delivery monitoring capability while managing system complexity by consolidating functions in a single device rather than adding multiple separate components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connected scale device serves multiple purposes: it acts as a weight detection device, a notification trigger, and an interface between the physical package and the digital monitoring system. This multi-functionality improves the overall monitoring capability without requiring separate specialized devices for each function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If the connected scale device arms automatically upon package detection, then package security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackage securityVSAvoidoperation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The scale device automatically arms the monitoring system upon detecting a package, performing the security activation action before the user arrives. This preliminary action ensures package security is established immediately upon delivery without requiring manual user intervention, thus improving security while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The connected scale device autonomously performs the arming function by detecting the package's presence and weight. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual arming by the user, improving both security response time and operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If multiple disarm methods are provided (codes, biometrics, proximity), then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisarm accessibilityVSAvoidauthentication system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring system incorporates multiple authentication methods (codes, biometrics, proximity detection) into the disarming process. This multi-functionality allows users to choose the most convenient method for their situation, significantly improving ease of operation and accessibility while managing the complexity through integrated design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Measurement precision

If the system compares package weight to expected weight from shipping data, then delivery verification accuracy is improved, but loss of information increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery verification accuracyVSAvoidshipping data dependency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses shipping data from external sources as an intermediary reference to verify package delivery. By comparing the scale-measured weight against expected weight from shipping data, the system achieves accurate delivery verification while managing information loss through this intermediary comparison method

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Ensures secure package storage until authorized retrieval, provides timely notifications to users, and enhances security by alerting of potential theft attempts through weight changes and environmental factors.

Implementation Method 1

determine a weight of the package

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWeight detection:

Data Source

PatentUS11674841B2Connected scale device

Publication Date: 2023.06.13 ALARM COM INC

AI summary

A monitoring system that is configured to monitor a property includes a connected scale device that is configured to receive a package, determine a weight of the package, and after determining the weight of the package, arm the connected scale device, and a monitoring control unit that is configured to receive, from the connected scale device, data indicating that the connected scale device received the package and the connected scale device is armed, and based on receiving the data indicating that the connected scale device received the package and the connected scale device is armed, communicate, to a user device of a resident of the property, a notification indicating that the connected scale device received the package.