An Unmanned Smart Parcel Locker System with a Parcel Sterilizer

Abstract

Parcel loss and personal information leakage involved thereof is a critical issue. Existing parcel lockers involve the need to share the password between two. This study suggests a double-security smart parcel locker to keep parcel safe from the risk of loss and personal information leakage by using parcel invoice bar-codes as well as the near field communication (NFC) module for smart-phones. In addition, the suggested method sterilizes a parcel box by means of the ultraviolet-c radiation light emitting diode (UV-C LED) in consideration of the fact that it may be exposed to insanitary conditions for a long time. To verify the suggested smart parcel locker, tests were conducted on the invoice bar-code mechanism for password security, the near field communication (NFC) module for user authentication reliability, and the Bluetooth interaction distance between a smart-phone app and the system. Test results show that the accuracy of the near field communication (NFC)-based user authentication was 97%, bar-code and that of the parcel locker opening mechanism was 95%. Thus, the sufficient level of security was verified. The max. transmission distance for smooth communication between a smart-phone and the parcel locker upon bluetooth pairing turned out to be 5 m. Test results show that as the near field communication (NFC) and invoice bar-codes are used instead of a password, the parcel locker can be utilized as a highly secure instrument.