Parcel Delivery System and Method
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current parcel delivery systems face inefficiencies, including unsupervised delivery risks, manual entry complexities, and lack of centralized tracking, leading to increased theft, environmental damage, and failed deliveries, especially for commercial carriers and recipients with busy schedules.
Innovation Solution
A parcel delivery system featuring an automated parcel receptacle unit with feedback and visual cameras, sensors, and a server that captures and verifies parcel identification codes, selects appropriate lockers based on parcel dimensions, and minimizes manual input, enabling unsupervised and accurate delivery from any commercial carrier.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If commercial carriers drop parcels in unsecured areas near front entrances, then delivery speed is improved, but security and reliability deteriorate due to theft and environmental damage risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a secured parcel receptacle as an intermediary between the commercial carrier and the recipient. The receptacle with locked compartments receives parcels from carriers and makes them available to recipients without requiring direct handoff. This mediator structure eliminates the security risk of unsecured drops while maintaining fast delivery, as carriers simply deposit parcels in the receptacle and recipients retrieve them using access codes.
2Reliability
If property management staff supervise parcel deliveries, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and operational burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service delivery where recipients autonomously retrieve their own parcels using access codes sent to their mobile devices. The receptacle automatically locks and unlocks compartments based on code verification, eliminating the need for property management staff to physically handle or supervise each parcel. This automated self-service mechanism maintains high reliability while removing operational complexity from human staff.
3Productivity
If automated lockers are used for parcel delivery, then productivity is improved, but adaptability deteriorates as they only accept packages from specific carriers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the parcel receptacle with universal compatibility to accept parcels from any commercial carrier, not just a single carrier. The system uses generic identification methods (scanning tracking labels or receiving carrier notifications) that work with multiple carriers like USPS, UPS, FedEx, and others. This multi-functional design maintains high delivery efficiency while being adaptable to any carrier's delivery process.
4Measurement precision
If manual entry of parcel information is required, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to time-consuming processes
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical entry of parcel information with automated optical scanning and electronic data exchange. Barcode scanners or RFID readers automatically capture tracking numbers and parcel details, eliminating the need for manual typing. The system then electronically processes this data to generate access codes and update tracking information, maintaining high information accuracy while dramatically improving operational convenience for both carriers and staff.
Data Source
AI summary
A parcel delivery system and method are provided. The parcel delivery system includes a parcel receptacle unit with one or more lockers that securely receives parcels from any commercial carrier and provides for users to retrieve their parcel. The parcel delivery system includes a parcel receiving system that receives a parcel identification code from multiple sources such as a confirmation delivery message, direct from user, automatically scanned codes during delivery, or manually entered codes during delivery or provided during review post-delivery. Upon arrival to a designated receiver, the parcel is processed and the parcel receiving system captures images of the parcel and of an identification code. Once the identification code of the parcel is verified, an available locker is selected based on the detected size of the parcel and opened to receive the parcel. A locker access code is generated and sent to a receiver for retrieval of the parcel.