Delivery Drop-Off Spot Mapping for Precise Vehicle Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current package delivery systems rely on human judgment and intuition, which can lead to inefficiencies and inaccuracies in locating and designating delivery spots, especially in unfamiliar environments, and do not allow for precise control over delivery times or locations.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a client computing device to create a virtual model of the delivery destination based on sensor data, allowing recipients to designate a precise target drop-off spot, and a delivery vehicle equipped with sensors to navigate to that spot using a mapping between virtual models, ensuring accurate and secure package placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If human judgment and intuition are used to locate and designate delivery spots, then the system is simple to operate, but the precision and accuracy of delivery location designation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual model (copy) of the delivery destination environment that mirrors the physical space. This virtual model allows precise designation of delivery spots through digital interaction rather than physical navigation, achieving high location precision while maintaining user-friendly operation through familiar interface paradigms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual human navigation and physical location identification with automated sensor-based virtual model generation and digital coordinate designation. The mechanical process of physically finding and marking a location is substituted with electronic capture, processing, and digital annotation of spatial information
2Productivity
If human delivery systems are used, then flexibility in delivery timing and location selection is maintained, but efficiency and productivity deteriorate due to manual processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables recipients to pre-designate their preferred delivery spots and receive notifications about delivery times and locations in advance. This preliminary action allows both automated efficient processing and recipient flexibility, as users can specify their preferences ahead of time without manual intervention during the actual delivery moment
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows recipients to autonomously select and designate their own delivery spots using the virtual model, and to receive automated notifications about their deliveries. This self-service approach maintains operational flexibility for users while enabling high-efficiency automated delivery execution without manual human coordination
3Reliability
If traditional delivery methods are used, then operational simplicity is maintained, but security against theft and obstruction deteriorates due to lack of precise location control
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual model serves as a secure digital representation of the delivery environment, allowing precise specification of delivery locations that are communicated to the delivery vehicle. This digital copy enables accurate navigation to the designated spot while reducing security risks associated with manual location communication
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual location communication and physical spot designation with automated sensor-based virtual model generation and digital coordinate transmission. This substitution enhances security by eliminating human error and intentional misdirection while maintaining system simplicity through automated processes
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1C
Figure 1D
AI summary
An example method may include receiving, from a client computing device, an indication of a target drop-off spot for an object within a first virtual model of a first region of a delivery destination. A second virtual model of a second region of the delivery destination may be determined based on sensor data received from one or more sensors on a delivery vehicle. A mapping may be determined between physical features represented in the first virtual model and physical features represented in the second virtual model to determine an overlapping region between the first and second virtual models. A position of the target drop-off spot within the second virtual model may be determined based on the overlapping region.