Moving-Target Delivery Using Network Position Interception
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile communication networks face challenges in accurately delivering items to moving targets without requiring location information from the recipient's equipment, especially in large environments like airports, where navigating to a fixed delivery point is impractical.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing high-accuracy network-provided position information from mobile network operators to estimate the path of non-stationary entities and direct delivery vehicles to intersect with the recipient's path, allowing for precise and efficient delivery without altering the recipient's movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If network-provided position information is used to track moving targets, then delivery precision to moving targets is improved, but system complexity increases due to path estimation and real-time tracking requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a delivery coordination server as an intermediary that centralizes the complex tasks of path estimation, position tracking, and delivery vehicle direction. This server acts as a mediator between the ordering entity and the delivery vehicle, handling all computational complexity in one centralized location rather than distributing it across multiple devices, thus improving delivery precision while managing system complexity through centralization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical positioning systems that rely on GPS or onboard location receivers with network-provided position information. Instead of using complex mechanical and electronic positioning hardware in the delivery vehicle and recipient devices, the system substitutes these with position data provided by the mobile communication network, thereby improving delivery precision to moving targets while reducing the mechanical complexity of individual devices.
2Productivity
If delivery vehicles are directed to intersect with recipient paths, then delivery efficiency is improved, but the risk of collision or disruption to recipient movement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by estimating the future path of the non-stationary entity based on network-provided position information before the delivery vehicle begins its journey. The delivery coordination server calculates the intersection point in advance and directs the delivery vehicle to that specific location and time, allowing the delivery to occur efficiently without requiring the vehicle to chase or intercept the moving target dynamically, thus reducing collision risk while maintaining delivery efficiency.
3Measurement precision
If high-accuracy positioning technology is deployed, then position accuracy is improved, but the cost of implementing and maintaining the positioning infrastructure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the universality of mobile communication networks by using the existing network infrastructure for both communication and positioning purposes. The mobile communication network already has the capability to provide position information as a byproduct of its communication functions, so no separate dedicated positioning infrastructure needs to be built. This allows the system to achieve high position accuracy using existing network resources, thereby improving position accuracy without proportionally increasing infrastructure cost.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, obtaining first positional information comprising a location of a non-stationary entity mobile within an environment, the first positional information obtained from a service provider monitoring a positional status of the non-stationary entity within the environment. A path of the non-stationary entity is predicted according to the first positional information. A delivery device mobile within the environment is directed according to the predicted path to deliver an item to the non-stationary entity. Second positional information is obtained, identifying a location of the delivery device within the environment. A separation distance is calculated between the location of the non-stationary entity and the location of the delivery device within the environment and a delivery opportunity is detected based upon the separation distance not exceeding a threshold distance. Other embodiments are disclosed.