Locker Bank Access Control for Simultaneous User Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current locker systems for online shopping are inefficient, as they allow only one user to collect their goods at a time, leading to long queues and increased waiting times, especially as the popularity of locker banks grows, exacerbating the issue of time consumption and inconvenience for consumers.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that allows multiple users to contemporaneously collect their ordered goods from allocated lockable storage spaces with independent temperature control, using a central control system to manage access and temperature settings, and guidance means such as personal communications devices and consoles to direct users to their respective storage spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single-user access system is used for locker collection, then security and simplicity are maintained, but user throughput and collection efficiency deteriorate due to queuing
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the user collection process into parallel independent streams by providing multiple access control consoles (first console, second console, etc.) that can simultaneously authenticate and grant access to different users. This segmentation of the access control function enables multiple users to collect goods concurrently without queuing, directly improving user throughput while maintaining security through distributed authentication points.
2Temperature
If multiple lockers are provided in different locations for different storage conditions, then temperature control for various goods is achieved, but user convenience deteriorates due to the need to traverse between locations
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple storage compartments with different temperature conditions (ambient, chilled, frozen) into a single integrated locker unit that can be accessed from one location. Each locker contains dividers that create separate temperature zones, allowing users to collect all types of goods from a single access point rather than traversing between multiple distributed locations, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining temperature control.
3Loss of time
If a single console is used for user authentication, then system simplicity is maintained, but waiting time increases as users queue for authentication
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication function is segmented across multiple independent consoles distributed at different access points. Each console can independently authenticate users and grant access to assigned lockers, eliminating the single-point bottleneck. This segmentation reduces authentication waiting time by enabling parallel processing of multiple users simultaneously while maintaining consistent security protocols across all consoles.
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
This solution enables simultaneous collection of goods by multiple users, reducing waiting times and improving the efficiency of the collection process, while maintaining controlled temperature conditions for various types of goods, thus addressing the inefficiencies and queuing issues in existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
a refrigeration system and a distribution system, the refrigeration system being in communication with the distribution system such that the distribution system is configured to distribute the cooled air to a subset of the compartments
Implementation Method 2
the cooled air being circulated around or through a plurality of lockers via suitable conduits to cool the locker contents in the process
Implementation Method 3
a locker system allowing individual temperature control in each locker by making use of a thermoelectric cooling device operating by the Peltier effect and removing heat across the walls of the locker
Data Source
AI summary
A secure storage system for multi-user access having a plurality of lockable storage spaces, and a method for granting or denying access to the plurality of lockable storage spaces. A first subset of the lockable storage spaces is allocated to a first user and a second subset of the lockable storage spaces is allocated to a second user. A first access sequence of lockable storage spaces within the first subset is determined for the first user, and a second access sequence of lockable storage spaces within the second subset is determined for the second user in dependence on a likelihood of an access conflict with the first user. At least one delay period for at least one of the first access sequence and the second access sequence is determined if the likelihood of the access conflict remains above a predetermined threshold.