Hybrid secure locker system for mailing, deposition and retrieval of shipments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic locker systems for shipment delivery and retrieval lack 24/7 operation capability, security, and convenience, particularly in handling shipments of varying sizes and weights, and do not efficiently prevent hazardous items from being deposited.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that uses a communication network to connect electronic locker units with managing distribution centers, featuring a shape measurement module, built-in scale, and identification codes (barcodes or RFID tags) for secure 24/7 operation, allowing for 3D measurement and weight determination of shipments, and comparison against hazardous items lists, enabling secure and user-friendly deposit and retrieval processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If electronic locker systems use manual deposit and retrieval processes during business hours only, then operational simplicity is maintained, but 24/7 operation capability and service quality are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The locker system enables self-service operations where users can deposit and retrieve shipments autonomously through RFID identification and automated compartment control, eliminating the need for manual intervention during off-hours and enabling 24/7 operation without proportionally increasing operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-authorizing users through RFID tags, pre-opening compartments before deposit, and pre-notifying recipients of shipment arrival, which streamlines the overall process and enables automated 24/7 operation without requiring complex real-time decision-making systems
2Productivity
If electronic locker systems accept all shipments without verification, then deposit speed is improved, but security and hazardous item prevention are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification of shipments against a hazardous items database before allowing deposit, automatically comparing shipment characteristics (size, weight, shape) with known hazardous item profiles, thus preventing hazardous items from being stored without significantly slowing down legitimate deposits
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides immediate feedback through notifications to both depositors and recipients regarding shipment acceptance or rejection, and maintains a database of verified safe items that learns from each transaction, improving security over time without reducing deposit speed for known safe items
3Device complexity
If electronic locker systems use basic locking mechanisms without monitoring, then device simplicity is maintained, but security and tracking capability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous monitoring and feedback through RFID tracking of shipments throughout the process, automated notification systems that alert users of deposit and retrieval events, and centralized management software that tracks all locker operations, providing comprehensive security and tracking without requiring complex physical locking mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses multi-functional RFID tags that simultaneously serve as identification credentials for users, tracking devices for shipments, and authorization keys for compartment access, consolidating multiple security functions into a single simple mechanism
4Adaptability or versatility
If electronic locker systems lack shape and weight measurement capabilities, then device simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to varying shipment sizes and hazardous item detection are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical measurement systems with electronic sensors that automatically detect and record shipment characteristics such as weight, dimensions, and shape, enabling the locker to adapt to various shipment sizes and compare against hazardous item databases without requiring manual measurement procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system operates autonomously by automatically detecting shipment characteristics when deposited, recording data in the database, and performing hazardous item comparisons without requiring user intervention or complex operator procedures, thus maintaining simplicity while enhancing adaptability
Data Source
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AI summary
A hybrid system for securely controlling deposition and retrieval of shipments, comprising a managing distribution centre (22), at least one electronic locker unit (24) connected to the managing distribution centre through a communication network (10), and having a control desk (30) and several lockable compartments (28i) of different sizes, wherein the electronic locker unit comprises a shape measurement module located inside each compartment for acquiring the shipment content's shape, and a three-dimensional measuring device (90) located on the control desk for measuring the dimensions of the shipment.