Smart Package Container with Dynamic Return Window
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Solution Overview
Problem
The long return window for online purchases often results in consumers using items and then returning them, making the items unavailable for resale. Shortening the return window can be inconvenient for busy individuals who may not have time to try out items before the return period ends.
Innovation Solution
A package container that determines a trial start time based on when the package is opened after delivery, allowing return windows to be based on the opening of the package rather than the order or delivery date. This container includes a body, cover, cover lock, user interface, and electronic controller that stores the trial start and end times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a long return window is provided, then consumers have enough time to try out items, but items become unavailable for resale and are used before return
Solution Approach 1:
The return window is transformed from a static fixed period to a dynamic period that starts when the package is opened. The system automatically tracks the opening time and calculates the return deadline based on a short duration (e.g., 2 hours) from that moment, making the return window adaptive to consumer behavior patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The package container system automatically determines when the return window starts and ends based on package opening detection, eliminating the need for consumers to manually track return deadlines. The system self-manages the return timing logic and notifies consumers of the deadline.
2Productivity
If a short return window is provided, then items are available for resale sooner, but consumers do not have time to try out items
Solution Approach 1:
The return window dynamically adjusts its start time based on when the package is actually opened by the consumer. This ensures that consumers always have a short, manageable period (e.g., 2 hours) to try the item starting from the moment they receive it, regardless of when they open the package.
3Device complexity
If the return window is based on delivery date, then the timeline is fixed and simple, but consumers who open packages later lose time
Solution Approach 1:
The system preliminarily establishes the return window duration (e.g., 2 hours) and automatically calculates the deadline based on the actual package opening time. This preliminary setup ensures that consumers always have sufficient time to try the item without needing to manually calculate or track return deadlines.
Data Source
AI summary
A delivery management server includes one or more processors configured to receive a return request notification indicating that a return is requested using a package container. The one or more processors are also configured to, based at least in part on receipt of the return request notification and a determination that a cover of the package container is in a closed state: store a trial end time, determine a trial duration based on a comparison of a trial start time and the trial end time, and based on a determination that the trial duration is less than or equal to a trial duration threshold, send a request to direct a transportation vehicle to a container location to retrieve the package container.