Electronic Door Hanger Proximity Notification System
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for efficient and timely communication of pick-up and delivery information to customers in the context of increasing customer-focused logistics, as existing methods lack ease of use and timeliness.
Innovation Solution
The system employs an electronic door hanger that automatically connects with a customer's computing entity upon activation, allowing for notifications regarding item pick-ups or deliveries within a configurable time frame, using a user computing entity operated by a carrier operator to provide notifications when the electronic door hanger and customer computing entity are within a specified distance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If automated connection and notification systems are implemented, then timeliness of information delivery is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic door hanger serves as an intermediary device between the carrier's user computing entity and the customer's computing entity. It automatically establishes connections and relays notifications without requiring direct interaction between carrier and customer systems, thereby reducing overall system complexity while improving notification timeliness.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic door hanger performs self-service functions by automatically establishing connections with customer computing entities and delivering notifications without requiring manual intervention from carriers or customers. This automation reduces time loss while the standardized self-service protocol keeps device complexity manageable.
2Productivity
If automated notification systems are deployed, then productivity of logistics operations is improved, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service operation where the electronic door hanger automatically connects with customer devices and delivers notifications without requiring users to manually initiate or configure connection parameters. This maintains ease of operation while significantly improving logistics productivity through automated notification delivery.
3Reliability
If location-based automatic connection is implemented, then reliability of notification delivery is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic door hanger acts as an intermediary that simplifies location-based connection logic. Instead of requiring complex peer-to-peer location verification between carrier and customer devices, the door hanger mediates the connection process, checking proximity and automatically establishing reliable connections, thereby improving reliability while keeping individual device complexity low.
Data Source
AI summary
Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided. In one embodiment, a connection between an electronic door hanger and a customer computing entity can be established at a customer's location. With a connection established, information about an attempted (e.g., successful/unsuccessful) pick-up or delivery can be automatically provided to the customer computing entity.