Item Receptacle Sensor System for Delivery and Pick-Up Event Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems lack effective means to confirm delivery and pick-up events for items, leading to inefficiencies in notification and tracking processes.
Innovation Solution
An item receptacle equipped with sensors and a processor that detects door and item state changes, communicates with a central hub to determine and notify on delivery or pick-up events, utilizing a combination of door sensors, item sensors, and scanners for computer-readable codes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If no sensors or detection devices are installed in the receptacle, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of delivery and pick-up confirmation is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is divided into separate functional modules: door sensors detect door opening/closing events, item sensors detect item presence within the receptacle, and scanners read identification codes. Each sensor type independently monitors a specific aspect of the delivery process, allowing the system to achieve reliable confirmation through multiple independent detection points without requiring a single complex detection mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The receptacle integrates multiple sensor types (door sensors, item sensors, scanners) that can detect various events (door operations, item placement, item retrieval, identification reading) using a unified communication architecture. All sensors communicate with a central processor that coordinates detection and confirmation logic, enabling the system to handle multiple detection functions through a standardized multi-functional platform.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and scanners are installed to detect delivery events, then the measurement precision of delivery status is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensors (door sensors, item sensors, scanners) are merged into a single coordinated detection system where all sensors communicate with a central processor. The processor combines data from different sensor sources to determine delivery status, merging multiple detection functions into one unified decision-making unit that achieves precise delivery status measurement without requiring each sensor to independently determine the complete delivery state.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback loops where sensors continuously monitor their respective parameters (door position, item presence, code identification) and report status changes to the processor. The processor analyzes these feedback signals to determine whether delivery or pick-up events have occurred, using the feedback from multiple sensor sources to achieve precise event detection and confirmation.
3Productivity
If real-time detection and communication is implemented, then the productivity of notification process is improved, but the use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous transmission, the system uses periodic or event-triggered communication where sensors monitor conditions continuously but only initiate communication when a state change occurs (door opened, item detected, code scanned). This periodic action approach maintains real-time detection capability while reducing energy consumption by keeping communication dormant during stable states and activating only when notification is required.
Solution Approach 2:
The receptacle system autonomously detects delivery events using its integrated sensors and automatically initiates notification communication without requiring external intervention. The processor self-manages the coordination between sensors and communication devices, determining when delivery or pick-up events have occurred and autonomously triggering the appropriate notification protocol, thereby improving notification productivity while minimizing unnecessary energy expenditure.
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
Enables reliable confirmation of delivery and pick-up events, facilitating timely notifications and improving tracking efficiency through centralized communication and data analysis.
Implementation Method 1
a door sensor configured to detect when the door is opened
Implementation Method 2
the item sensor comprising an emitter adapted to emit a beam and a detector to detect the beam
Implementation Method 3
the scanner configured to read a computer readable code on an item within the internal volume
Data Source
AI summary
A receptacle for detecting delivery and retrieval events has a door sensor, an item sensor, a scanner, and a control unit for operating the sensors, and transmitting the sensor information for processing and analysis. A system can determine whether an event was a delivery or retrieval event based on sensor information and item tracking information. A system can further include an item configured to interact with a computing device.