Digital Locker Best-Fit Selection Using Weight Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital lockers face inaccuracies in determining the presence of objects due to obscured light sensors, leading to incorrect readings and inefficient package management.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that uses weight sensors and measurement tools to determine the physical dimensions and weight of packages, comparing these readings across different components to accurately identify suitable locker compartments and manage package delivery and retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If light sensors are used to determine object presence in lockers, then the system can detect whether lockers are empty or full, but the readings become inaccurate when sensors are obscured by dust or dirt
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces weight sensors as intermediary devices to verify the presence of objects in lockers. Instead of relying solely on light sensors that can be obscured, the system uses weight measurements as a mediator to accurately determine whether a locker contains an object, thereby resolving the reliability issue of light sensor readings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the optical detection system (light sensors) with a mechanical detection system (weight sensors). This substitution eliminates the problem of light sensor obscuration by dust or dirt, as weight sensors are not affected by visual obstructions and provide reliable measurements for determining object presence.
2Productivity
If locker compartments are selected without considering physical dimensions, then the system can quickly assign any available locker, but packages may not fit properly leading to inefficient locker utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by determining the physical dimensions of packages before assigning them to locker compartments. The system measures or obtains package dimensions in advance, then uses this information to pre-filter compatible lockers, ensuring both efficient assignment and proper fit without requiring reassignment later.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes by comparing the physical dimension parameters of packages with the dimensions of available locker compartments. The system filters lockers based on dimension parameters, selecting only those compartments where the package dimensions are less than or equal to the locker dimensions, thereby ensuring compatibility while maintaining efficient assignment.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used to verify package details, then the accuracy of package identification improves, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple detection approaches by combining light sensor readings with weight sensor measurements in a unified verification system. Instead of using separate independent systems, the patent integrates both sensor types to work together, cross-validating their readings to accurately determine package presence and weight while managing system complexity through unified processing.
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 approach enhances the accuracy of package placement and retrieval, improves locker utilization, and ensures efficient management of digital locker facilities by using weight-based verification and best-fit locker selection.
Implementation Method 1
determine the weight of packages, comparing these readings across different components
Implementation Method 2
Some digital lockers are equipped with light sensors that are used to determine whether any objects are present inside the lockers
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are provided for receiving a request to store an item at a locker facility; determining a first plurality of locker compartments that are available for storing items at a first locker facility; receiving data that indicates item-physical-dimensions of the item; determining whether, based at least in part on the item-physical dimension of the item and locker-physical-dimensions of each locker compartment from the first plurality of locker compartments that are available for storing items, one or more first locker compartments from the first plurality of locker compartments are available; and if so, selecting a first locker compartment from the one or more first locker compartments; determining a first locker identifier of the first locker compartment from the one or more first locker compartments; and generating and transmitting a first response message, which includes the first locker identifier of the first locker compartment.