Automated Package Protection via Environmental Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Delivery services face challenges in protecting packages from theft and damage when recipients are not present, and from environmental factors such as weather and animals, leading to increased costs and recipient frustration.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented system using IoT sensors and delivery resources like 3D printers and color modules to assess environmental conditions and take ameliorative actions, such as camouflaging or securing packages, when recipients are not present or when environmental conditions pose a risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If automated protection measures are implemented for unattended packages, then package security and protection from environmental damage are improved, but device complexity and implementation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment of environmental conditions and recipient availability before delivery occurs. IoT sensors pre-evaluate weather conditions, and the system predicts recipient arrival times in advance, allowing protective measures to be predetermined before the package is actually delivered and vulnerable to damage or theft.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary automated system that acts as a mediator between the delivery process and environmental threats. This system includes IoT sensors, prediction algorithms, and automated decision-making components that assess conditions and determine appropriate protective actions without requiring direct human intervention at each decision point.
2Reliability
If real-time environmental monitoring and protective actions are implemented, then package damage from environmental factors is reduced, but loss of time for assessment and action increases
Solution Approach 1:
Environmental conditions are assessed and protective measures are determined in advance before the package becomes vulnerable. The system evaluates weather conditions, temperature, humidity, and other environmental factors beforehand, and pre-determines appropriate protective actions such as selecting suitable packaging or delivery timing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors environmental conditions and recipient availability, using feedback loops to adjust delivery decisions in real-time. Sensors provide ongoing data about weather and location conditions, which feed into prediction algorithms that continuously update the optimal delivery strategy based on current conditions.
3Productivity
If predictive analytics and automated decision-making are used to determine delivery timing, then delivery efficiency is improved, but measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from multiple data sources including IoT sensors, historical delivery data, and real-time location tracking to continuously refine arrival time predictions. The predictive analytics are updated based on actual recipient behavior patterns and environmental conditions, improving accuracy over time through iterative learning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a multi-functional prediction system that simultaneously assesses multiple factors: recipient availability, environmental conditions, package characteristics, and delivery location safety. This universal approach allows the system to make comprehensive delivery decisions based on a single integrated prediction model rather than separate analyses for each factor.
Data Source
AI summary
In an approach to automated protection of delivered packages, a computer receives information associated with a package delivery. A computer determines a recipient is not present for the package delivery. A computer predicts a time of arrival of the recipient. A computer determines a duration of time prior to the arrival of the recipient exceeds a pre-defined threshold. A computer determines one or more environmental conditions of an area surrounding a delivery location. A computer determines at least one of the one or more environmental conditions indicates a need for an ameliorative action associated with the package delivery. A computer determines one or more ameliorative actions. A computer instructs a delivery resource to perform the one or more ameliorative actions. A computer instructs the delivery resource to deliver the package.