Robotic Smart Locker Load System for Secure Package Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current package delivery methods often result in packages being left outside, exposed to the elements and vulnerable to theft, or require customers to visit inconveniently located distribution centers.

Innovation Solution

A robotic smart locker load system that includes a smart staging area where packages are placed, a robot that retrieves and conveys packages to customer-accessible repositories based on size, and an electronic system for unlocking the repository upon recipient verification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If packages are left outside for delivery, then delivery speed is improved, but security and protection from elements deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery speedVSAvoidexposure to elements and theft

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by placing packages in a secure smart staging area immediately upon arrival, rather than leaving them outside. The robotic system is pre-configured to automatically retrieve and store packages, eliminating the need for manual intervention while ensuring immediate protection from environmental factors and theft.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a smart staging area and robotic system as an intermediary between package arrival and customer retrieval. This intermediary system provides secure temporary storage, protecting packages from elements and theft while maintaining quick access through automated retrieval mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If packages are stored at distribution centers for pickup, then security is improved, but convenience and accessibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackage securityVSAvoidcustomer accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by allowing customers to retrieve packages automatically using electronic interfaces and identification verification. The robotic system handles package retrieval and delivery to customer-accessible repositories without requiring customers to physically visit distribution centers or wait in lines.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions the package retrieval process from a centralized physical location (distribution center) to a distributed network of customer-accessible repositories. This dimensional change allows customers to access packages at multiple convenient locations rather than traveling to a single facility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If manual package handling is used, then system complexity is reduced, but productivity and efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidpackage processing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical handling with an automated robotic system equipped with sensors, conveyors, and electronic controls. This substitution increases productivity and processing efficiency while the modular design of the robotic system manages complexity through standardized components and interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If packages are stored in customer-accessible repositories, then convenience is improved, but security vulnerabilities increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomer convenienceVSAvoidtheft risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms through electronic verification interfaces that authenticate customer identity before allowing package retrieval. Sensors and electronic locks provide real-time monitoring and control, ensuring that only authorized customers can access their packages while maintaining security throughout the storage and retrieval process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12254442B2Robotic smart locker load system

Publication Date: 2025.03.18 US POSTAL SERVICE

AI summary

A system for and method of providing a package for retrieval are presented. The disclosed techniques include receiving a package for retrieval by a recipient; placing the package in a customer inaccessible smart staging area; determining, using a sensor, a size of the package; retrieving, by a robot, the package; conveying, by the robot, the package through a first side of the customer accessible repository to a customer accessible repository selected according to the size of the package, where the package is retrievable by a customer through a second side of the customer accessible repository; electronically storing an identification of the customer accessible repository in association with package identification information; receiving, at an electronic customer interface located at the delivery facility, the package identification information; and unlocking the customer accessible repository, such that the package is retrievable from the second side of the customer accessible repository by the recipient.