Vehicle Parcel Locker Access Control for Crowdsourced Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing delivery systems lack efficiency and flexibility in utilizing private vehicles for parcel delivery, as they often rely on traditional common carriers and do not leverage the potential of crowdsourced delivery networks.
Innovation Solution
A storage system integrated into vehicles, featuring a communication system, secure storage lockers with electronic locking mechanisms, and sensors, which allows for wireless communication with an external server to receive access and delivery settings, ensuring secure and condition-specific parcel transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional common carriers are used for parcel delivery, then delivery reliability is maintained, but delivery efficiency and flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the delivery system into multiple independent components: individual vehicles with storage lockers, sensors, and communication systems that can operate autonomously or in coordination. This segmentation allows many individual carriers to participate, improving overall productivity while maintaining reliability through distributed operation
Solution Approach 2:
The storage locker system is designed to be universal and adaptable to different vehicle types and delivery scenarios. The electronic locking mechanisms, sensors, and communication systems can serve multiple functions including security, environmental monitoring, and coordination with the crowdsourced delivery platform, enabling both efficiency and reliability
2Adaptability or versatility
If private vehicles are utilized for crowdsourced delivery, then delivery flexibility is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary platform that coordinates between parcel senders, private vehicle owners, and recipients. This intermediary manages the complexity of matching deliveries with appropriate vehicles, tracking multiple sensors, and coordinating electronic locking mechanisms, thereby enabling flexibility without burdening individual participants with excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The storage lockers are equipped with autonomous electronic locking mechanisms and environmental sensors that automatically monitor and adjust conditions without human intervention. This self-service capability reduces the operational complexity for individual vehicle participants while maintaining high delivery flexibility
3Reliability
If secure electronic locking mechanisms are implemented, then parcel security is enhanced, but ease of operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic locking mechanisms are integrated with communication systems that provide feedback to the intermediary platform and authorized users about lock status, environmental conditions, and delivery progress. This automated feedback system enhances security while maintaining ease of operation by eliminating the need for manual checking or complex user interactions
Data Source
AI summary
A storage system for implementing crowdsourced delivery of a parcel can include a communication system configured to communicate wirelessly with an external server to receive an access setting, a storage locker, secured by a primary electronic locking mechanism, including a plurality of inner compartments each secured by respective secondary electronic locking mechanisms, one or more processors, and a memory communicably coupled to the one or more processors and storing: a locking module including instructions that when executed by the one or more processors cause the one or more processors to set the primary electronic locking mechanism and at least one secondary electronic locking mechanism to open in response, respectively, to a primary code and a secondary code based at least in part on information received in the access setting.