Container and system
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Solution Overview
Problem
The inconvenience of returned items due to unavailability at delivery addresses and the security risks of designated 'safe-places' for parcel delivery, as they may lack sufficient protection against theft.
Innovation Solution
A container system with a movable closure, lock, input device, communication module, and controller that only unlocks upon user confirmation of item presence, using sensors and communication with user devices to ensure secure access and authorization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a designated safe-place is used for parcel delivery, then delivery convenience is improved, but security against theft deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the delivery process into distinct phases: item placement in the container, sensor detection of item presence, communication with the user device, and conditional unlocking. This segmentation allows security checks to be integrated without compromising delivery convenience, as each phase is handled automatically or with minimal user intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback loops where sensors continuously monitor the container state, the communication module exchanges information with the user device, and the controller adjusts the lock state based on received signals. This feedback mechanism ensures that security measures are dynamically applied only when necessary (when items are present), maintaining both convenience and security.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a lock is always engaged on the container, then security is improved, but ease of access deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lock state is made dynamic rather than static. The controller automatically transitions the lock between engaged and disengaged states based on real-time conditions: engaged when no items are detected or during unauthorized access attempts, and disengaged when items are confirmed present and authorized access is requested. This dynamic behavior provides both security and convenience as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service security management by automatically detecting item presence through sensors, determining whether unlocking is appropriate, and executing the locking/unlocking sequence without requiring constant user intervention. The user simply needs to interact with their mobile device to authorize access, while the container handles all security decisions autonomously.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If access requests are sent for every container interaction, then security is improved, but communication overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by sending communication requests only in specific situations rather than for every interaction. Access requests are transmitted to the user device only when items are detected in the container and a lock state change is needed. Routine operations like initial item placement or container inspection do not trigger communication, reducing overhead while maintaining security for critical operations.
Data Source
AI summary
There is disclosed a container comprising a container portion for storing one or more items. The container portion is accessible via a movable closure. The container portion also comprises an input device and a lock for selectively configuring the container portion in a locked state or an unlocked state. The container also comprises a communication module for communicating with a user device of a user. A controller is configured such that, in response to actuation of the input device when the container portion is in the locked state, the controller causes a request for access to the container portion to be sent by the communication module to the user device of a user only on condition that one or more items is determined by the controller to be present in the container portion.