Secure Package Transfer Panel Control With Autonomous Vehicle Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shipping methods face issues with unsecured package delivery, leading to theft and incorrect address problems due to the lack of secure and controlled transfer mechanisms between senders and recipients, especially with the rise of online retailers and home delivery services.
Innovation Solution
A shipping system that includes an autonomous vehicle and a control system with a shiftable panel assembly, allowing secure transfer of packages into and out of a room by using sensors and processors to manage package identification, vehicle location, and panel access, ensuring secure and accurate delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional home delivery services are used, then delivery convenience is improved, but package security deteriorates due to unsecured delivery items being left at locations
Solution Approach 1:
An autonomous vehicle acts as an intermediary between the delivery service and the recipient, providing a secure mobile platform that bridges the gap between convenient home delivery and secure package handling. The vehicle receives packages securely and delivers them directly to the recipient without leaving items unsecured at intermediate locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous vehicle performs self-service functions including navigating to delivery locations, securing packages during transport, and delivering directly to recipients. This eliminates the need for human intervention in potentially insecure intermediate storage while maintaining delivery convenience.
2Quantity of substance
If conventional mailbox equipment is used, then package holding capability is improved, but access control deteriorates due to lack of verified authorization mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the autonomous vehicle communicates package status, location, and delivery confirmation back to the control system and recipient. This provides real-time information about package holding and transfer without requiring complex physical access control infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical access control systems (physical mailboxes with locks and keys) with an autonomous vehicle-based system that uses sensors, communication systems, and automated identification to verify authorization and transfer packages securely.
3Reliability
If secure panel access control is implemented, then room security is improved, but package transfer efficiency deteriorates due to manual verification processes
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous vehicle performs self-service package transfer operations by autonomously navigating to the panel, presenting identification, receiving packages, and departing without requiring manual verification or human operation. This maintains security while dramatically improving transfer efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual verification processes are replaced with automated sensor-based identification systems that can verify package and vehicle identity remotely and instantly, eliminating the need for physical presence or manual checking while maintaining security protocols.
4Measurement precision
If autonomous vehicle navigation is implemented, then delivery accuracy is improved, but system complexity deteriorates due to integrated sensor and control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous vehicle integrates multiple functions (navigation, package security, identification verification, and communication) into a single multi-functional platform. This consolidates system complexity into one versatile device rather than requiring separate systems for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
A shipping system is configured to facilitate transfer of a package into and/or out of a room in a building. The shipping system is for controlling a shiftable panel of the building to selectively provide a path into and out of the room. The shipping system includes a control system. The control system broadly includes a vehicle sensor and a system processor. The system processor is configured to receive package identification data associated with the package, have the panel opened to allow room ingress and egress along the path based on the package identification data, move an autonomous vehicle to a location adjacent the panel to facilitate package transfer, based on vehicle location data, and have the panel closed to restrict room ingress and egress along the path in response to a determination that the package has been transferred into or out of the room via the path.