Smart Container Relocation Tracking for Precise Delivery Directions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current GPS systems provide insufficient precision for locating delivery receptacles relative to a house, as they only offer coordinates without indicating the receptacle's position, leading to difficulties in navigation for delivery personnel.
Innovation Solution
A smart container equipped with a movement sensor, wireless transceiver, and control circuit that detects relocation, determines an estimated new location, and updates directions via a cloud server using satellite images and feedback from delivery personnel, providing relative position descriptions like 'right side of the house' or 'behind the fence'.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS coordinates are used to locate delivery receptacles, then the delivery location can be identified, but the precision is insufficient to indicate the receptacle's position relative to the house
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of a mobile device with camera and image processing algorithms that acts as a mediator between GPS coordinates and the delivery person. The system captures satellite imagery, processes it to identify the house and receptacle, and generates descriptive directions (e.g., 'right side of the house behind the fence'), thereby bridging the gap between imprecise GPS data and actionable location information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical/GPS-based location system with an optical and computational system. Instead of relying solely on coordinate-based navigation, the system uses satellite imagery capture, image processing, and computer vision algorithms to visually identify and describe the receptacle's location relative to the house, substituting mechanical positioning with optical recognition and computational analysis.
2Ease of operation
If only GPS coordinates are provided to delivery personnel, then navigation to the general area is enabled, but navigation to the specific receptacle location is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by capturing the delivery person's location via mobile device GPS, comparing it with the target receptacle location, and providing real-time directional guidance (e.g., 'turn left', 'proceed forward'). This closed-loop feedback system continuously updates the delivery person's position and adjusts directions until the receptacle is located, significantly improving navigation ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes traditional mechanical navigation methods with a computational navigation system that uses mobile device sensors, real-time location tracking, and algorithmic direction generation. The system replaces physical map reading and manual navigation with automated, step-by-step digital guidance based on satellite imagery and GPS data.
3Ease of operation
If a stationary mailbox is used for delivery, then it is easily visible and accessible, but it cannot be relocated to update directions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the delivery receptacle system adaptable and movable rather than static. The receptacle can be relocated to different positions, and the system dynamically updates its location information through satellite imagery capture and image processing. This allows the system to maintain accessibility while adapting to changing delivery requirements and locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves universality by creating a multi-functional delivery solution that combines physical receptacles with digital location tracking and image-based navigation. The receptacle serves multiple functions: physical storage, location marker, and trigger for satellite imagery capture. The system can accommodate various receptacle types and locations, making it universally applicable to different delivery scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for updating directions to a container. In one embodiment an apparatus for updating directions to a container comprises a container housing, a movement sensor attached to the container housing, a wireless transceiver; and a control circuit coupled to the movement sensor and the wireless transceiver. The control circuit being configured to: detect a relocation of the container housing via the movement sensor, determine an estimated new location of the container, and send, via the wireless transceiver, the estimated new location to a computing device to initiate an update of a direction to the container.