Package receiving station

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current package delivery methods face issues such as damage from environmental conditions, theft, and lack of accountability, particularly when using autonomous or remotely controlled vehicles, as packages are often left unsecured on porches, vulnerable to weather and theft risks.

Innovation Solution

A package receiving station with a vertically extending support structure and a moveable roof that can be controlled to receive packages from autonomous delivery vehicles, providing a secure, environmentally controlled space with access control, cameras for verification, and temperature regulation, along with optional fencing and padding for protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If packages are left on front porches or outside areas for delivery, then delivery speed and convenience are improved, but packages become vulnerable to environmental damage (heat, cold, rain, snow) and theft

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery timeVSAvoidenvironmental damage and theft risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a receiving station as an intermediary structure between the delivery vehicle and the final destination. This station provides a protected interior space where packages can be temporarily stored, shielding them from environmental elements and theft while maintaining quick access for recipients.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving station is divided into distinct functional segments: an exterior receiving area for package intake, an interior protected storage space, and an access control mechanism. This segmentation allows the system to simultaneously provide rapid delivery and secure protected storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a secure enclosed space is provided for package reception, then protection from environmental factors and theft is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from environmental damage and theftVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving station incorporates a movable roof or access panel that can open and close dynamically. This dynamic element allows the structure to transition between open (for package reception) and closed (for secure storage) states, providing full protection functionality without requiring a permanently complex access mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving station is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as a protective enclosure against environmental elements, a secure storage space against theft, and a controlled access point for recipients. By consolidating these functions into a single structure, the patent reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate solutions for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If access control mechanisms are added to secure packages, then theft prevention is improved, but ease of operation and access convenience deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetheft preventionVSAvoidaccess convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The access control system is designed to be self-service oriented, allowing recipients to independently access their packages using personal identification methods (such as codes, biometrics, or mobile device authentication). This eliminates the need for manual intervention by delivery personnel or security staff, maintaining convenience while ensuring secure access control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Measurement precision

If visual verification systems (cameras) are installed to provide accountability, then measurement precision and accountability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery verification accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual verification processes with automated visual verification systems using cameras and image recognition technology. This substitution provides precise documentation of package delivery and receipt without requiring human intervention, thereby improving verification accuracy while actually reducing operational complexity compared to manual procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11544663B2Package receiving station

Publication Date: 2023.01.03 SWITCH LTD

AI summary

Package delivery to homes or after-hours business delivery exposes a package to theft, weather damage, and extreme temperatures. To receive and protect delivered packages, a package receiving station is configured to receive package from delivery vehicles. The station includes walls that extend upward to create an interior space of the station and a roof or other movable portion that is moveable between a first position covering the interior space and a second position allowing access to the interior space. A motor causes movement of the moveable roof or movable portion and an access portal in the wall allows access into the interior space to retrieve the package. A receiver receives a signal from or detects the arrival of the delivery vehicle and generates a control signal. A controller, responsive to the control signal, sends an activation signal to the motor to move the moveable roof or movable portion.