Remote Video Package Handover With Approval-Based Lock Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing package delivery methods, such as those using unmanned aerial vehicles, do not allow for efficient face-to-face confirmation before handing over items like medicines, leading to potential misdelivery.
Innovation Solution
A package hand-over apparatus equipped with a video call system for remote face-to-face confirmation, authentication mechanisms, and a lock control unit to ensure secure hand-over after verification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If package delivery is performed using unmanned aerial vehicles with camera-based customer identification, then delivery speed and automation are improved, but the ability to perform face-to-face confirmation before hand-over deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A video call system serves as an intermediary between the sender and receiver, enabling face-to-face confirmation through remote video communication. The video call device captures real-time video of the receiver and transmits it to the sender's terminal apparatus, allowing the sender to visually confirm the receiver's identity before approving package hand-over, thus maintaining reliability while enabling automated delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical presence requirement (sender physically present for face-to-face confirmation) with an electronic video communication system. The video call device and terminal apparatus substitute for the need for physical co-location, allowing remote visual verification while maintaining the security and reliability of face-to-face confirmation.
2Productivity
If automated delivery systems are used without sender verification, then delivery efficiency is improved, but the risk of misdelivery to unauthorized individuals increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification through video call authentication before the actual package hand-over. The sender must first verify the receiver's identity through video communication and provide explicit approval input. This preliminary action ensures delivery accuracy is maintained while allowing automated delivery processes to proceed efficiently once verification is complete.
Solution Approach 2:
The video call system provides real-time feedback to the sender about the receiver's appearance and environment. The sender can observe the video feed, confirm the receiver's identity, and provide feedback through input operations (approval or rejection). This feedback mechanism ensures accurate delivery while maintaining efficiency through automated verification processes.
3Reliability
If video call verification is implemented before package hand-over, then delivery security is improved, but the complexity of the delivery system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal apparatus serves multiple functions: it acts as both the video call device for verification and the authentication system for approval. By making the terminal apparatus universal and multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate complex verification devices, thus improving delivery security while minimizing the increase in overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A package hand-over apparatus, a package hand-over method, and a program that can efficiently hand over an item that is preferably handed over to a receiver after a face-to-face confirmation are provided. A package hand-over apparatus includes a video call control unit configured to carry out a video call with a terminal apparatus of a sender by using a video call device, and a lock control unit configured to unlock a lock prohibiting hand-over of a package based on whether or not an input approving the hand-over is made to the terminal apparatus of the sender after a start of the video call.