Vehicle Package Exchange via GPS Proximity and Virtual Keys
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current package delivery systems face inefficiencies in delivering or picking up packages from vehicles, particularly in ensuring secure and timely exchange, especially when vehicles are in parking locations, and lack integrated solutions for various vehicle types without additional hardware installation.
Innovation Solution
A cloud-based package delivery system that uses paired virtual keys for secure authentication, GPS-based proximity control for efficient delivery and pickup, and telematics integration to automate electromechanical actions within vehicles, enabling package delivery or pickup without additional hardware installation, and ensuring vehicle security through limited-time authorization and encryption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If packages are delivered to home addresses, then delivery security is maintained, but delivery efficiency and customer convenience deteriorate when customers are away
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle serves as an intermediary location between the delivery service and the customer. The system enables package delivery to the vehicle when the customer is away, and subsequent pickup by the customer at their convenience, thus maintaining security while improving delivery efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual delivery location (vehicle) that functions as a copy of the traditional home delivery point. The vehicle acts as a temporary repository that replicates the security and accessibility functions of home delivery without requiring the customer to be present
2Productivity
If vehicles are used as delivery locations, then delivery efficiency improves, but vehicle security and access control worsen without proper authentication systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authentication actions by pairing the customer's mobile device with their vehicle beforehand. This pre-established trust relationship enables automatic verification during delivery and pickup operations, ensuring security while maintaining efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms through real-time verification of paired devices. The authentication system continuously monitors and verifies the legitimacy of access requests, providing feedback control to prevent unauthorized access while enabling legitimate deliveries
3Reliability
If hardware is installed in vehicles for access control, then security is improved, but device complexity and installation requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces mechanical hardware installation with software-based authentication using mobile devices. Instead of installing physical access control hardware in vehicles, the system uses virtual pairing between mobile devices and vehicles, eliminating complex installation while maintaining security
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device serves multiple functions including authentication, communication, and verification. This universal device replaces the need for specialized hardware, reducing system complexity while maintaining or enhancing security capabilities
4Speed
If package exchange is automated, then delivery speed improves, but system complexity and authentication requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs authentication actions in advance by establishing device pairings before delivery operations. This preliminary setup enables rapid automated exchanges without requiring complex real-time authentication, thus improving speed while managing system complexity
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A geo-proximity Vehicle Alert and Access System (VAAS) is discussed that has a cloud based server having a GPS-based proximity system to control and track a package exchange process, to speed up a package delivery and pick-up process, and to ensure security for the package exchange process. The cloud based server is configured to receive both current GPS coordinates of a package carrier's vehicle and current GPS coordinates of a target vehicle for at least one of package delivery to the target vehicle and package pick up from the target vehicle. The cloud based server is configured to send to the target vehicle the commands to wake-up an on-board telematics module, to give an alert, to unlock the target vehicle, and to lock the target vehicle after receiving a confirmation of the package exchange process.