Proximity Sensor-Based Secure Deposit Box for Tracked Package Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current delivery systems lack secure access control and tracking capabilities for mail and packages, leaving sensitive items unattended in unsecured public mailboxes, which are vulnerable to theft and do not confirm if items are deposited in the intended location.
Innovation Solution
A secure delivery system featuring a deposit box with a lock mechanism operated by proximity sensors, allowing authorized delivery personnel and users to access the box using registered sensors, and a tracking system to monitor the status of deposited items through a network of sensors and a database.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional unsecured public mailboxes are used for delivery, then accessibility and ease of use are improved, but security and tracking capabilities deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical key-based locking systems with electronic proximity sensor-based access control. The lock mechanism uses proximity sensors to detect authorized devices and automatically unlocks, eliminating the need for physical keys while maintaining ease of access for authorized users and providing superior security against unauthorized access.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback through tracking mechanisms that monitor and record access events, delivery status, and sensor data. This feedback loop provides real-time information about package security and delivery status, enabling both the system and users to respond appropriately to security conditions and delivery completion.
2Device complexity
If traditional mailboxes without tracking are used, then device complexity is reduced, but ability to track deposited items deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The deposit box system performs self-service tracking by automatically monitoring its own state through integrated sensors. The system autonomously detects when items are deposited, tracks access events, and reports delivery status without requiring external intervention or complex manual tracking procedures, thereby maintaining relative simplicity while enabling comprehensive tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The proximity sensors serve multiple functions: they act as access control mechanisms for unlocking the box, serve as detection devices for tracking item deposition, and provide data for security monitoring. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated tracking devices, maintaining system simplicity while achieving comprehensive tracking capability.
3Ease of operation
If manual key handling is required for access, then ease of operation is reduced, but device complexity is minimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual key handling with automated proximity sensor-based access control. The system uses electronic fields and sensor detection instead of mechanical key-lock interaction, providing contactless and automatic access for authorized users while eliminating the need for physical key distribution, storage, and handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The proximity sensor acts as an intermediary between the authorized user and the lock mechanism. Instead of direct mechanical interaction between key and lock, the sensor mediates the access process by detecting the presence of authorized devices and automatically triggering the unlock sequence, thereby improving convenience while managing complexity through automation.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for securely depositing an item includes: a deposit box with a door configured to provide selective access to an interior space in the deposit box; a lock mechanism configured to attach to the deposit box to selectively block the door from opening; a first proximity sensor operatively connected to the lock mechanism to operate the lock mechanism to block the door or allow the door to open; a second proximity sensor configured to be attached to at least one of: a delivery person and a piece of delivery equipment; a third proximity sensor; and a first transmitter operatively connected to the lock mechanism and configured to transmit a signal indicative of operating information regarding the lock mechanism, and wherein the deposit box is at least 18 inches wide and 24 inches long.