Parcel locker system with improved autonomous clusters of compartments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic parcel locker systems face challenges with high energy consumption and costly long-distance communication, necessitating optimization of battery life in autonomous compartments clusters that operate without electrical power, while maintaining user experience through quick communication sessions.
Innovation Solution
The system employs an energy management module with a broadcasting timer and radio transceiver module to switch between low energy states, allowing partial wake-ups and quicker exchanges with mobile devices, using a sleep mode with a shorter repetition time period to minimize energy consumption and enhance user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If the locking module operates in a very low energy state with long repetition time periods to minimize energy consumption, then battery life is prolonged, but communication sessions with mobile devices become slower and user experience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking module dynamically adjusts its operational state based on real-time conditions. It transitions between very low energy state (for battery conservation) and low energy state with shorter repetition periods (for faster communication). The energy management module monitors for wake-up requests from mobile devices and adjusts the repetition time period accordingly, making the system adaptive rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic wake-up cycles with configurable repetition time periods. In very low energy state, it uses long repetition periods to minimize power consumption. When a mobile device sends a wake-up request, the system switches to periodic action with shorter repetition periods, enabling faster communication sessions while still returning to energy-saving mode after completion.
2Ease of manufacture
If the locking module uses standard widely used batteries (alkaline or lithium) to minimize operating cost, then cost is reduced, but battery replacement frequency increases and service disturbance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions to extend battery life before replacement becomes necessary. By implementing dynamic energy state management and allowing partial wake-ups only when needed, the system maximizes the utilization period of each battery set, delaying the point at which replacement is required and reducing the frequency of service interventions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (repetition time periods, energy states) to optimize battery performance and extend its lifespan. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system extracts maximum operational value from standard batteries, pushing their effective service life closer to their theoretical maximum and reducing replacement frequency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the locking module operates without electrical power connection to increase flexibility and reduce installation cost, then adaptability is improved, but energy management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking module is self-sufficient in managing its energy resources. The energy management module autonomously handles state transitions, repetition time period adjustments, and wake-up request processing without external power infrastructure or complex control systems. This self-service capability simplifies installation while managing the inherent complexity of battery operation through automated local decision-making.
Data Source
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AI summary
A locker system for parcel deposit and pick-up, comprising a parcel locker and a mobile device configured to establish a local communication with a locking module of the parcel locker via a short-distance communication, the locking module comprising an energy management module (230), configured for managing transitions of energy states, a broadcasting timer (280) for triggering a transition from a very low energy state to a low energy state, a radio transceiver module (216), and at least one processor (210; 282, 284, 285) running a firmware configured for, while in the very low energy state or in the low energy state, regularly emitting with the radio transceiver module a broadcasted short message towards the at least one mobile device, the locking module being configured for switching from a slow sleep mode associated with a slow repetition time period (276) to a sleep mode associated with a repetition time period (274), which is shorter than the slow repetition time period.