Locker Apparatus Parcel Verification Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Shared parcel lockers face issues with parcel theft when a malicious deliverer pretends to deliver a subsequent parcel, as existing systems lack effective verification mechanisms to ensure that only authorized individuals can access and store parcels destined for the same receiver.
Innovation Solution
A locker apparatus with a processor and memory system that obtains and verifies proof notifications from both the deliverer and receiver, ensuring that only matching identification information for the parcel, receiver, and transmission source allows the locker to be unlocked, thereby preventing unauthorized access and theft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a system allows additional deposit of multiple parcels destined for the same receiver into one locker, then the shortage of empty lockers is alleviated, but the risk of parcel theft by malicious deliverers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification by obtaining and comparing proof notifications from both the deliverer and receiver before allowing the locker to be unlocked and accessed. This advance verification prevents unauthorized access and parcel theft by malicious deliverers who might otherwise exploit the additional deposit feature.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the locker control device receives proof notifications from both deliverer and receiver, compares their contents, and only permits locker access when the proofs match. This closed-loop verification ensures that additional deposit operations are authorized by both parties, eliminating the security vulnerability while maintaining the ability to store multiple parcels.
2Reliability
If proof verification from both deliverer and receiver is implemented, then parcel theft is prevented, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The proof notification serves multiple functions: it contains identification information for verification, acts as authorization from both deliverer and receiver, and enables the comparison logic. By using a single multi-functional data structure (the proof notification containing parcel ID, receiver ID, and transmission source ID), the system achieves robust verification without requiring separate complex mechanisms for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
A locker apparatus includes: a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor executes a process including: first obtaining, from a first terminal of a deliverer of a parcel that stores the parcel into a locker, notification of a first proof issued from a transmission source of the parcel to the deliverer, the first proof including identification information of the parcel, identification information of a receiver of the parcel, and identification information of the transmission source; second obtaining notification of a second proof issued from the transmission source to the receiver, the second proof including identification information of the parcel, identification information of the receiver, and identification information of the transmission source in accordance with permission to store the parcel into the locker; and unlocking the locker when contents of the first proof matches that of the second proof.