Programmable lock box
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Solution Overview
Problem
Food delivery personnel often access and consume food from insulated delivery boxes before reaching the end customer, leading to theft and potential contamination.
Innovation Solution
A programmable lock box with a custom number sequence that can be unlocked using a smartphone, allowing only the intended recipient to access the contents by entering a numerical code or using an audio signal, preventing unauthorized access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the insulated enclosure is left unlocked for easy access during delivery, then the delivery process is faster and easier, but the food can be accessed and stolen by delivery personnel
Solution Approach 1:
A unique numerical code is generated and provided to the recipient before delivery occurs. The lock box is pre-configured with this code, allowing the recipient to unlock it upon arrival. This preliminary setup ensures that while the box remains locked during transit (preventing theft), the recipient can easily access the food when needed.
2Reliability
If a lock mechanism is added to prevent unauthorized access, then food security is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical locking systems with an electro-mechanical locking mechanism controlled by a microprocessor. The lock assembly includes a locking finger actuated by an electro-mechanical device that responds to numerical codes. This substitution provides enhanced security through code-based access control while maintaining relatively simple implementation through integrated circuit boards and microprocessors.
3Reliability
If a numerical code system is implemented for secure access, then food security is improved, but the ease of operation decreases due to code entry requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows the recipient to independently unlock the box using their own smartphone and the provided numerical code. The microprocessor automatically processes the code entry and actuates the locking finger release mechanism. This self-service approach eliminates the need for manual intervention from delivery personnel or other intermediaries, maintaining both security and ease of use for the authorized recipient.
4Reliability
If the locking finger penetrates multiple apertures (enclosure, flange, zipper pull) to secure the box, then food security is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system is divided into distinct segmented components: the locking finger itself, the flange with its aperture, the zipper pull tab with its aperture, and the main enclosure with its aperture. Each component can be manufactured separately and then assembled together. The locking finger is designed to sequentially engage with each segmented component, providing enhanced security through multiple engagement points while allowing each part to be produced using standard manufacturing processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A programmable locking assembly for an insulated enclosure such as a food delivery box that can be unlocked by the recipient of the box, by pressing a number code on the keypad of the lock, causing a locking finger to slide out from a zipper pull on the lid of the insulated enclosure to allow the recipient unzip the lid to have access to the contents of the enclosure, thereby preventing the food delivery person to access the contents of the enclosure while in route to making the delivery. The number code is texted to the recipient from the sender of the enclosure. In an alternate embodiment, an audio tone can open the lock without the user needing to press numbers on the keypad.