Drone Delivery Beacon for 3D Location Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current logistics systems face challenges in delivering goods accurately and efficiently to specific three-dimensional locations, particularly in automating the delivery process and ensuring secure product transfer.

Innovation Solution

The method involves selecting a three-dimensional location for drone delivery using latitude, longitude, and height, and employing a beacon signal or machine-readable code for navigation and authentication, ensuring secure product transfer through user equipment and destination transceivers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If drones are used for autonomous delivery to three-dimensional locations, then delivery efficiency and productivity are improved, but delivery precision and security may deteriorate without proper authentication mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery efficiencyVSAvoiddelivery precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary authentication actions before the actual delivery. The destination transceiver authenticates the drone's identity and confirms the three-dimensional location beforehand, ensuring that only authorized drones can deliver to specific locations. This preliminary verification maintains high delivery efficiency while ensuring precision and security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the destination transceiver sends authentication responses and location confirmation back to the drone. This feedback loop ensures that the drone receives real-time verification of its identity and the accuracy of the target location, maintaining both productivity and delivery precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If beacon signals and authentication requests are implemented, then delivery security and reliability are improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery securityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The destination transceiver serves multiple functions: it acts as a beacon signal for location identification, an authentication mechanism for security verification, and a confirmation system for location accuracy. By consolidating these functions into a single device, the system achieves high reliability without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The destination transceiver acts as an intermediary between the drone and the final delivery location. It mediates the authentication process and location verification, simplifying the overall system architecture by providing a single point of coordination rather than requiring separate complex systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If three-dimensional location selection is implemented, then delivery accuracy is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to complex location specification

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery accuracyVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a two-dimensional map interface that users are already familiar with, and the selected 2D location is automatically copied and converted into three-dimensional coordinates by the system. This allows users to operate the system easily using intuitive map selection, while the system handles the complex 3D coordinate generation automatically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual three-dimensional coordinate input with automated 3D coordinate generation based on 2D map selection. Instead of requiring users to manually specify complex 3D parameters, the system automatically converts simple 2D location selections into precise three-dimensional delivery coordinates, maintaining both accuracy and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9852392B23D model and beacon for automatic delivery of goods
Publication Date: 2017.12.26 NEC CORP
  • US9852392B2 patent drawing
  • US9852392B2 patent drawing
  • US9852392B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided for drone delivery of products. In one aspect there is provided a method, which may include selecting, at a user equipment, a product; and selecting, by the user equipment, a three-dimensional location where a drone deposits the selected product. Related systems, apparatus, and articles of manufacture are also disclosed.