Storage box locking system
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of parcel delivery lies in recipients often being unavailable to receive packages, leading to issues like theft, environmental damage, costly re-delivery, and customer dissatisfaction, particularly in residential locations where automated and semi-automated delivery methods are inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A smart parcel box equipped with a weather-resistant housing, temperature control, communication module, and electrical circuitry that adjusts temperature and securely stores parcels, along with an optical device and internal reader for tracking information, allowing for secure and convenient delivery and receipt of parcels through wireless communication and electronic locking systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If parcels are left outside for delivery, then delivery cost is reduced, but parcels are subject to theft or environmental damage
Solution Approach 1:
A parcel box serves as an intermediary secure storage location between the delivery service and the recipient. The box is installed at the recipient's location and provides a locked, protected space where parcels can be delivered securely without requiring the recipient to be present, thereby eliminating theft and environmental damage risks while maintaining delivery efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The parcel box system enables self-service delivery where the box automatically receives, secures, and holds parcels without human intervention. The system includes automatic locking mechanisms, access control, and notification features that allow the recipient to retrieve their parcel at their convenience without requiring delivery personnel to wait or return.
2Productivity
If automated delivery methods are used, then delivery cost is reduced, but delivery reliability deteriorates in residential locations
Solution Approach 1:
The parcel box acts as a reliable intermediary that bridges automated delivery systems and residential locations. It provides a secure, accessible storage point that automated vehicles can deliver to, ensuring successful delivery even when no one is present to receive the parcel directly.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual delivery processes with automated electronic controls including electronic locking mechanisms, communication modules for coordination, and automated access systems that allow seamless integration with automated delivery vehicles while maintaining high reliability in residential settings.
3Ease of operation
If recipients coordinate deliveries with work or travel schedules, then parcel receipt is improved, but time management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The parcel box enables recipients to retrieve their parcels at their own convenience without needing to coordinate with delivery schedules. The system automatically secures parcels and notifies recipients when they arrive, allowing recipients to pick up parcels during or after work hours without any scheduling coordination or time management effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The system includes communication modules that provide automatic feedback to recipients when parcels arrive at the box. This real-time notification system eliminates the need for recipients to actively manage or coordinate delivery times, as they are simply informed when their parcel is ready for pickup.
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
The smart parcel box enhances delivery efficiency, reduces costs for shipping companies, improves customer satisfaction, and supports the growth of e-commerce by ensuring secure, temperature-controlled storage and convenient access to parcels, even when recipients are not present.
Implementation Method 1
The temperature control system selectively controls a temperature inside the protected cavity. The electrical circuitry operates the temperature control system to adjust the temperature of the protected cavity to within a preferred temperature range prior to the estimated delivery time of the parcel and maintains the temperature for at least a specified period of time.
Implementation Method 2
The optical device captures optical data external to the parcel box and the electronically controlled lock unlocks the door if the captured external optical data satisfies access criteria.
Data Source
AI summary
A locking system that controls access to a parcel storage box having a lockable door or lid with an electrically controllable locking mechanism. The locking system includes an optical scanner for scanning a barcode on a parcel that includes tracking information. A communication module transmits the tracking information to a separate computing system over a wireless network and then receives a response from the computing system indicating whether or not the transmitted barcode information is associated with an expected delivery. Electrical circuitry opens the locking mechanism if the tracking information is associated with an expected delivery.