Drone Landing Pad with Secure Storage to Reduce Package Theft
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) for package delivery faces challenges such as increased package theft due to visibility, impracticality in high-density population areas, and obstacles like low-hanging branches or covered porches, which can lead to costly solutions or prevent delivery altogether.
Innovation Solution
A landing pad with a secure storage compartment that can be mounted in a window or stand alone, featuring adjustable mounting options, LED displays, and climate control, which includes a platform for drones to land and a secure compartment for package storage, accessible via digital or mechanical means, and equipped with features like inductive charging and animal deterrence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If packages are left at the recipient's doorstep for drone delivery, then delivery speed is improved, but package theft risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a landing pad as an intermediary device between the drone and the recipient's interior space. The landing pad receives packages from drones and stores them securely in a locked compartment, preventing theft while maintaining fast delivery. The landing pad acts as a mediator that eliminates the need to leave packages exposed at the doorstep.
Solution Approach 2:
The landing pad includes automatic detection capabilities that sense when a package has been delivered and automatically lock the compartment. The system serves itself by detecting delivery completion and securing the package without human intervention, maintaining security while enabling rapid delivery.
2Productivity
If drones are used for delivery in high-density population areas, then delivery efficiency is improved, but public safety hazards increase due to blocked streets and doors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the delivery interface from the ground level (street/door level) to a vertical dimension by installing landing pads on building exteriors or rooftops. This dimensional shift allows drones to deliver packages to elevated locations, preventing street blockages and door blocking while maintaining high delivery efficiency in dense urban areas.
3Ease of operation
If obstacles like low-hanging branches or covered porches are present, then traditional ground delivery is prevented, but drone delivery cost increases due to additional sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the delivery reception function from the ground level and places it on elevated landing pads. By removing the need for ground-level delivery access, obstacles like low-hanging branches and covered porches are bypassed entirely. The landing pad serves as a dedicated reception point that is inaccessible to ground-based obstacles, eliminating the need for complex obstacle-detection sensors on drones.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a doorman is used to accept packages in high-rise buildings, then package security is improved, but drone delivery capability is lost due to inability to open doors or ring bells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical human doorman system with an automated electronic landing pad system. The landing pad uses electronic sensors, motors, and locking mechanisms to receive, detect, and secure packages automatically. This substitution eliminates the need for human intervention while maintaining security and enabling drone compatibility through wireless communication and automated operation.
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
The landing pad provides a secure and efficient means for drones to deliver and retrieve packages, reducing theft risks and overcoming obstacles, while enabling longer trips and heavier loads through charging capabilities and adapting to various environments.
Implementation Method 1
The device can be powered by a solar panel
Implementation Method 2
The device can include a display, such as an LED display
Data Source
AI summary
A landing pad receives and stores packages delivered from an aerial vehicle are awaiting pickup from an aerial vehicle. The landing pad can be placed outside of a window and can contain a transmitter for sending out an identification signal via radio frequency to aid aerial vehicles in finding the landing pad. The landing pad contains a landing platform with a trapdoor that leads to a storage compartment. The trapdoor can be configured to only open when it receives a signal from an authorized aerial vehicle. The storage compartment can be accessed via a storage compartment door which can contain a locking mechanism. The storage compartment can be climate controlled. The landing pad can also have a transmitter that emits sounds to discourage animals from nesting on or near the landing pad. The landing pad can also include a solar power generator as a source of electrical energy.