Video Package Pickup Authorization via Image Recognition

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing monitoring systems lack effective methods to securely verify the authorization of individuals picking up packages, leading to potential theft and misdelivery issues, as they often rely on manual verification processes that are inefficient and prone to errors.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a video monitoring system using doorbell cameras that perform video analytics to identify packages and verify the authorization of individuals picking them up through image recognition, prompting for credentials if necessary, and providing guidance for correct package retrieval.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If automated actions are performed without verification, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to unauthorized pickups

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackage pickup efficiencyVSAvoidauthorization verification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary verification of the person's authorization status before executing the automated pickup action. The image capture and authorization check occur in advance, allowing the system to confirm identity and authorization level before releasing the package, thus ensuring reliability while maintaining automation efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback loop where the captured image is analyzed to determine authorization status, and this information feeds back into the decision-making process for whether to allow pickup. The system continuously monitors and adjusts based on the verification results, ensuring both security and operational efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If manual verification processes are used, then reliability is improved through human judgment, but productivity deteriorates due to inefficiency and errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveverification accuracyVSAvoidpackage pickup speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual mechanical verification processes with automated image recognition and analysis technology. The camera-based system automatically captures images, analyzes authorization status, and makes pickup decisions without human intervention, eliminating manual errors while maintaining high processing speed and productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service verification where the person's own biometric or visual characteristics captured by the camera are used to verify their identity and authorization. The system automatically compares the captured image against stored authorization data, allowing rapid verification without manual intervention and maintaining both reliability and productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20230282026A1Monitoring package pickups using video

Publication Date: 2023.09.07 OBJECTVIDEO LABS LLC

AI summary

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for automated package management. One of the methods includes for an image that depicts a package at a property and a person retrieving the package, determining, using data from the image or from a device for the person, whether the person is authorized to retrieve the package; and in response to determining that the person is authorized to retrieve the package, determining to skip performing an automated action that would have been performed if the person was not authorized to retrieve the package.