Device for storing objects and method using such a device
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of packages delivered via internet sales and the rise of the collaborative economy have led to congestion and air pollution, as traditional vending machines are limited to single functions and lack versatility in storage and delivery solutions.
Innovation Solution
A method using computer means to manage storage in lockers equipped with sensors, allowing for multiple uses by determining the type of object stored and activating suitable sensors for monitoring, locking, and unlocking, enabling various applications such as package delivery, food delivery, and donation, with sensors being dynamically selected and reused based on object type.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional vending machines are used for single-function storage and delivery, then device simplicity is maintained, but versatility and adaptability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The locker is designed with a universal sensor system that can be dynamically configured to support multiple functions including package delivery, food delivery, donations, and object rentals. The same physical locker infrastructure serves different purposes by activating specific sensor subsets based on the stored object type.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor activation system is dynamic rather than static. Sensors are selectively activated based on the type of object being stored, allowing the locker to adapt its monitoring capabilities to the specific function required, rather than having all sensors permanently active or fixed configurations.
2Measurement precision
If all sensors are activated continuously in lockers, then monitoring precision is maximized, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors are activated periodically or on-demand based on locker usage events rather than continuously. The system activates the specific subset of sensors needed for the current storage function only when the locker is in use, and deactivates them when not needed, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining monitoring precision when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the sensor system by dynamically adjusting which sensors are active based on the stored object type. This parameter change allows the system to optimize between energy consumption and monitoring precision by activating only the necessary sensors for each specific function.
3Ease of manufacture
If lockers are designed for specific single functions, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different object types is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is segmented into multiple independent sensor types (weight sensors, temperature sensors, humidity sensors, gas analysis sensors, image sensors). This segmentation allows the same locker hardware to be configured for different object types by activating only the relevant sensor segments, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The locker is manufactured as a universal platform with all sensor types integrated but not permanently assigned to specific functions. This universal design allows the same manufactured locker to serve multiple object types (food, packages, donations, rentals) by dynamically configuring which sensors are active based on the storage purpose.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for managing storage of objects such as packages or the like. In particular, in a storage device includes at least one locker having a device for locking/unlocking the locker and a plurality of sensors designed to deliver data specific to the objects deposited in the locker. The method includes: receiving a request to store an object in a locker of the storage device; identifying an object type which matches the object to be stored; according to the object type identified, selecting, from the plurality of locker sensors, a set of sensors to be activated at least while the locker is in use; upon detecting that the locker is in use, activating the selected sensors in order to monitor the storage.