Locker Weight Sensor Package 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 management of package delivery and retrieval.
Innovation Solution
Implementing weight sensors to accurately determine the weight of items in locker compartments, transmitting this data to a locker controller, and using a locker manager to verify the weight against a reference weight for accurate delivery and retrieval verification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If light sensors are used to detect objects in lockers, then the system can detect package presence, but the readings become inaccurate when sensors are obscured by dust or dirt
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical detection (light sensors) with mechanical detection (weight sensors). Weight sensors measure the physical weight of packages in lockers, providing accurate detection that is not affected by dust or dirt obscuration. This substitution of detection mechanism resolves the contradiction by maintaining measurement precision while eliminating reliability issues associated with optical sensors.
2Measurement precision
If weight sensors are implemented to accurately measure package weight, then detection accuracy improves, but system complexity increases due to additional sensors and verification processes
Solution Approach 1:
The weight sensor serves multiple functions: it detects package presence, measures package weight for verification, and can potentially track package dimensions. By making the sensor multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate detection systems, thereby managing system complexity while maintaining high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the locker manager receives weight data from sensors, compares it against reference weights from the database, and generates delivery reports. This automated feedback loop verifies package delivery accuracy without requiring manual intervention, managing complexity through systematic automation rather than increasing overall system burden.
3Measurement precision
If manual verification of package delivery is performed, then accuracy can be ensured, but productivity and efficiency decrease due to time-consuming processes
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service verification where the locker manager automatically compares sensor-weight data with reference-weight data from the database and generates delivery reports without human intervention. This automation maintains high verification accuracy while dramatically improving productivity by eliminating manual checking processes.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual verification processes are replaced with automated electronic verification. The system uses electronic data comparison between sensor readings and database records, substituting human labor with automated computational processes. This maintains precision while enhancing productivity through faster, error-free automated verification.
4Device complexity
If light sensors are used, then the system structure remains simple, but harmful factors like dust and dirt cause measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes optical sensors with weight sensors, fundamentally changing the detection mechanism from optical to mechanical. Weight sensors are not affected by dust or dirt obscuration, eliminating the harmful factors that plague optical sensors. While the sensor type changes, the overall system structure remains relatively simple, maintaining ease of implementation.
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
Ensures accurate detection of package presence and retrieval, improving the efficiency of digital locker management by reducing errors caused by dust or dirt obscuring light sensors.
Implementation Method 1
a locker sensor determines a weight of an item placed in a locker compartment
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are provided for determining, by a sensor, a weight of an item placed in a locker compartment; transmitting, to a locker controller, data indicating the weight of the item placed in the locker compartment; receiving, from the sensor, the data indicating the weight; transmitting the data from the locker controller to a locker manager; receiving, from the locker controller, the data indicating the weight of the item placed in the locker compartment; receiving at the locker manager a reference weight for the item; verifying the weight of the item placed in the locker compartment based at least in part upon the received data and the reference weight for the item placed in the locker compartment; and generating and transmitting a report message indicating whether the item has been delivered to the locker compartment.