Door-Mounted Parcel Receptacle Locking for Secure Unattended Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions fail to provide a practical and secure method for receiving, returning, or exchanging parcels when recipients are away, particularly in restricted residential areas, leading to time delays and inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
A security apparatus that includes a parcel receptacle with a locking mechanism, tamper-proof cable, and audible alarm, which can be easily attached to doorknobs or door handles, allowing only authorized access and accommodating various package sizes through flexible or rigid receptacles, and enabling multiple deliveries by connecting multiple receptacles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a parcel receptacle with locking mechanism is installed outside the front door, then secure parcel delivery is achieved, but residential restrictions in luxury apartments are violated
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate components: a portable security apparatus that can be attached to existing door hardware, and a receptacle that can be positioned flexibly. This segmentation allows the solution to be implemented without permanent alterations to the building structure, complying with residential restrictions while maintaining security functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses existing door hardware (doorknobs, door handles, door knockers) as intermediary elements to attach the security apparatus. This intermediary approach allows the system to leverage existing structures rather than requiring new installations, thereby complying with apartment restrictions while achieving secure parcel delivery.
2Reliability
If parcel delivery is delayed until recipient is available, then secure handoff is achieved, but time efficiency of online shopping is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares a secure receptacle in advance at the delivery location, allowing delivery personnel to deposit parcels immediately upon arrival. The locking mechanism is pre-configured to accept various parcel types, enabling immediate secure storage without waiting for recipient availability, thus eliminating delivery delays while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The receptacle with locking mechanism enables self-service parcel storage and retrieval. Delivery personnel can independently secure parcels in the receptacle without recipient presence, and recipients can later retrieve them using their own credentials. This self-service capability eliminates the need for coordinated handoff timing, resolving the time delay issue while maintaining secure transfer.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple parcel receptacles are connected for multiple deliveries, then delivery capacity is increased, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The security apparatus is designed with universal attachment capabilities that work with various door hardware types (doorknobs, handles, knockers). This universality allows multiple receptacles to be attached using the same basic mechanism, simplifying the addition of capacity while managing complexity through standardized interfaces and procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention involves a novel method, device, system and apparatus to receive, return or exchange parcels securely. The invention involves a novel security apparatus and one or more parcel receptacles. The novel security apparatus can be securely connected to an object such as a door knob or door handle or door knockers or door or any object to which my security apparatus can be securely connected. The parcel receptacles can be of many types. The locking mechanism in the security apparatus and on the parcel receptacle can be of technological in nature using the latest advancements in wireless technology, or alternatively, involve simple physical lock and key mechanisms. The apparatus allows access to parcels to authenticated users only, and involve many safety features including an audible alarm and other tamper-proof mechanisms to ensure safety of parcels.