RFID Trunk Delivery via Geolocation Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current parcel delivery systems cannot deliver packages to customers' vehicles when the customer is not present, leading to inconvenience as carriers must reschedule deliveries or have customers pick up packages, due to the inability to track and authorize delivery to specific packages within vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a delivery vehicle equipped with an RFID reader and a customer vehicle with remotely controllable trunk access, using geolocation and radio frequency identification to ensure secure delivery by matching package and vehicle locations, allowing for delivery to the trunk of the customer's vehicle even in their absence.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If package delivery is tracked using geolocation and RFID technology, then delivery tracking precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery tracking precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tracking system is segmented into multiple independent components: RFID tags attached to individual packages, RFID readers mounted on delivery vehicles, and geolocation devices. Each component performs a specific function, allowing the system to achieve high tracking precision without requiring a single complex system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The delivery vehicle is equipped with multiple functions: it serves as both the transport vehicle and the RFID reading station, while also containing geolocation capabilities. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated tracking devices, thereby managing complexity while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If delivery is made to customer's vehicle trunk, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability worsens due to security concerns

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an intermediary authentication mechanism using RFID technology. The delivery vehicle's RFID reader communicates with the customer vehicle's trunk access system, acting as a mediator that verifies authorization before enabling trunk access. This ensures security while allowing convenient delivery to the vehicle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback through verification of the delivery address against the customer vehicle's registered location. The geolocation data from the delivery vehicle is compared with the expected customer vehicle location, and trunk access is granted only when the feedback confirms a match, ensuring both convenience and security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If delivery driver waits for customer presence, then reliability of delivery is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery completionVSAvoiddelivery time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The customer pre-registers their vehicle information and trunk access credentials before delivery. This preliminary action allows the delivery system to automatically authenticate and deliver packages to the vehicle without requiring the customer to be present, eliminating waiting time while ensuring reliable delivery through pre-established security protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The customer vehicle's trunk is equipped with automated access control that can independently authenticate and open for delivery without human intervention. The system performs self-service by automatically verifying the delivery vehicle's credentials and granting access, allowing delivery completion without customer presence and eliminating time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 secure and convenient delivery of parcels to customers' vehicles without them being present, utilizing geolocation and RFID technology to authenticate and authorize trunk access, thus reducing delivery failures and improving customer convenience.

Implementation Method 1

Each package has a unique radio frequency identification tag, also known as an RFID tag, which can be read at various stages of delivery to identify the package

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadio frequency identification: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

A GPS-based proximity module receives current GPS coordinates from a package delivery vehicle and the destination vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGPS satellite positioning: Radar

Data Source

PatentEP3399480B1Method for delivering at least one package to the luggage compartment of a customer vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.08.19 PSA AUTOMOBILES SA
  • EP3399480B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method of delivering at least one package (10) into the trunk of a customer vehicle by a delivery vehicle (20), the package (10) comprising a radio frequency identification tag (11), the delivery vehicle (20) comprising a radio frequency reader adapted to read said identification tag (11), and the customer vehicle comprising a trunk whose opening can be controlled remotely if the geolocation of the customer vehicle and the geolocation of the delivery vehicle (20) match.