Receptacle Sensor System for Delivery and Retrieval Event Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems lack effective means to confirm delivery and pick-up events for items, leading to inefficiencies in tracking and notification processes.
Innovation Solution
An item receptacle equipped with sensors and a processor that detects door and item state changes, communicates with a central hub to determine and notify on delivery or pick-up events, utilizing a combination of door sensors, item sensors, and scanners for computer-readable codes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual tracking methods are used to monitor delivery and pick-up events, then system complexity is reduced, but tracking reliability and notification accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the tracking function into separate sensor components: a door sensor to detect door opening events, an item sensor to detect item presence, and a processor to analyze the combined data. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function reliably while the system as a whole achieves accurate delivery event detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor acts as an intermediary that receives signals from both the door sensor and item sensor, processes this information, and generates delivery event confirmations. This intermediary component enables reliable event detection by systematically analyzing sensor data without requiring complex manual tracking procedures.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and processors are added to detect delivery events, then tracking precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines the door sensor and item sensor inputs through a single processor that analyzes both signals together. This merging approach allows the system to achieve high detection precision by considering multiple data sources, while avoiding the complexity of separate processing systems for each sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor serves multiple functions: it receives door sensor signals, receives item sensor signals, determines delivery events, and generates notifications. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity compared to having dedicated processing units for each function, while maintaining high detection precision.
3Productivity
If automated sensor-based tracking is implemented, then productivity of tracking processes improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system operates periodically to detect door opening events and item presence changes, rather than requiring continuous monitoring. This periodic operation maintains high tracking productivity by capturing all relevant events, while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous sensor activation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables reliable tracking and notification of delivery and pick-up events, enhancing the efficiency of item management and communication between senders and recipients.
Implementation Method 1
a door sensor configured to detect when the door is opened
Implementation Method 2
the item sensor comprising an emitter adapted to emit a beam and a detector to detect the beam
Implementation Method 3
the scanner configured to read a computer readable code on an item within the internal volume
Data Source
AI summary
A receptacle for detecting delivery and retrieval events has a door sensor, an item sensor, a scanner, and a control unit for operating the sensors, and transmitting the sensor information for processing and analysis. A system can determine whether an event was a delivery or retrieval event based on sensor information and item tracking information. A system can further include an item configured to interact with a computing device.