Secured electronic locker system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic parcel locker systems are costly, energy-intensive, and limited by the need for wireless long distance communication, which restricts installation locations and compromises security due to simple authorization codes.
Innovation Solution
A method using mobile devices for operation via short distance communication networks, eliminating the need for touchscreen interfaces and barcode readers, allowing for secure, complex authorization procedures and enabling installation in areas without long distance communication coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If touchscreen interfaces and barcode readers are embedded in electronic parcel lockers, then user interaction functionality is provided, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the user interface functionality from the electronic parcel locker itself and relocates it to the user's mobile device. The mobile device's touchscreen and barcode reader are utilized instead of embedding these components in the locker, thereby reducing the locker's complexity and cost while maintaining full user interaction capabilities through the mobile application.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile application serves as an intermediary between the user and the electronic parcel locker. It mediates all user interactions, including authentication, parcel deposit, and retrieval operations, by communicating with the locker's control unit via short distance communication protocols such as NFC or Bluetooth, eliminating the need for built-in user interfaces in the locker.
2Reliability
If wireless long distance communication components are embedded in electronic parcel lockers, then remote system communication is enabled, but installation location flexibility is reduced and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication functionality is segmented into two distinct layers: short distance communication (NFC, Bluetooth) for local interactions between the mobile device and locker, and long distance communication (GSM, Wi-Fi) for remote system connectivity. This segmentation allows the locker to operate independently in locations without long distance coverage while maintaining reliable remote communication through the user's mobile device.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the user's mobile device to provide long distance communication services that would otherwise require embedded components in the locker. The mobile device acts as a communication gateway, enabling the locker to connect to the remote system without having its own long distance communication hardware, thereby reducing energy consumption and expanding installation flexibility.
3Ease of operation
If simple authorization codes are used for parcel locker access, then ease of operation is maintained, but security is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple authentication factors into a unified access control mechanism: the mobile device itself serves as both the authentication credential (replacing traditional codes) and the communication interface. This integration enables complex security verification through the mobile application while maintaining user-friendly operation, as the device automatically handles authentication protocols without requiring users to manually enter codes.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating electronic lockers for parcel deposit and collection and pick-up wherein a remote shipping system transmits to at least one mobile device via a long distance communication network data related to parcels to be handled by at least one electronic locker and wherein a user operates the at least one electronic locker with the at least one mobile device via a short distance communication network without using a user interface of the at least one electronic locker and wherein the at least one electronic locker using the at least one mobile device via the short distance communication network transmits data related to parcels handling during the user operation of the at least one electronic locker.