Vehicle Sensor-Based Access Control for Secure Consignment Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for transmitting consignments into motor vehicles lack secure access control, particularly in ensuring unauthorized access is prevented and safe delivery is guaranteed.

Innovation Solution

A method and device utilizing sensors such as radar, LIDAR, ultrasonic, infrared, and video systems to detect surroundings and interior conditions, determining hazard and state variables to securely release access for consignment delivery, where the vehicle assesses safety before opening for delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If access control is simplified for consignment delivery, then delivery speed is improved, but security against unauthorized access deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery speedVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary safety checks using sensors before allowing access. The control unit evaluates hazard variables and state variables in advance to determine whether the delivery environment is safe, enabling automated decision-making that both speeds up delivery and maintains security

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the delivery environment using sensors and provides feedback to the control unit. Based on this feedback, the control unit dynamically adjusts access decisions, allowing fast automated processing when conditions are safe while maintaining security by blocking access when hazards are detected

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If sensor-based safety checks are implemented, then security is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses existing multi-functional sensors in the motor vehicle that serve both driving assistance functions and delivery safety assessment. This avoids adding dedicated sensors solely for delivery security, thereby improving security without proportionally increasing system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit automatically evaluates sensor data and makes access decisions without requiring manual security checks. The system serves itself by autonomously processing sensor information and controlling access, reducing the need for additional human operators or complex manual procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If automated access control is implemented, then delivery efficiency is improved, but risk of unauthorized access increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery efficiencyVSAvoidunauthorized access risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit acts as an intermediary between the automated sensor system and the access mechanism. It processes sensor data, evaluates hazard variables, and only authorizes access when safety criteria are met, thereby maintaining automated efficiency while preventing unauthorized access through intelligent mediation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system takes preliminary anti-action by blocking access by default and only permitting it when safety conditions are verified. The control unit proactively prevents potential unauthorized access by requiring positive confirmation of safe conditions before allowing the delivery process to proceed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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

Ensures secure and safe access to the vehicle interior by assessing risk and state variables, allowing controlled opening and delivery, leveraging existing vehicle sensor technology without additional expenditure.

Implementation Method 1

The sensors according to the invention are at least one radar, LIDAR, ultrasonic, infrared sensor and / or a video system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadar: Radar

Implementation Method 2

The sensors according to the invention are at least one radar, LIDAR, ultrasonic, infrared sensor and / or a video system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLIDAR: LIDAR

Implementation Method 3

The sensors according to the invention are at least one radar, LIDAR, ultrasonic, infrared sensor and / or a video system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic: Ultrasound

Implementation Method 4

The sensors according to the invention are at least one radar, LIDAR, ultrasonic, infrared sensor and / or a video system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP3297873B1Method and device for enabling access to a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, in particular for conveying a consignment of goods
Publication Date: 2019.10.16 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3297873B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3297873B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present invention is based on a device and on a method for enabling access to a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle (101), wherein the motor vehicle has at least one sensor (201 – 206) which senses the surroundings and and/or the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. The core of the present invention is that the enabling of access which occurs in response to an enabling request (5) originating from outside the motor vehicle takes place at least as a function of the sensing by the sensor (201 – 206). The invention advantageously provides secure access to the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle.