Appliance Locking via Inductive Keycode and GPS Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing asset management systems for electric appliances lack effective solutions for controlling unauthorized removal and misuse, particularly in ensuring appliances remain functional only within defined areas.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a keycode unit and an equipment unit, where the keycode unit, equipped with a communication unit and a power supply via induction, communicates with the equipment unit to lock appliances if they move outside a designated asset management area, utilizing GPS positioning and eFuse technology for secure operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If RFID technology and GPS positioning are used to track appliance location, then unauthorized removal control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional modules: a keycode unit containing the RFID tag and communication unit, and an equipment unit containing the GPS receiver and lock unit. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining reliable unauthorized removal control through distributed functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication unit serves multiple functions: it enables RFID-based identification and location tracking, facilitates two-way communication between keycode unit and equipment unit, and transmits positioning data. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby managing device complexity while improving unauthorized removal control.
2Measurement precision
If GPS positioning system is embedded in the appliance, then location tracking accuracy is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The GPS receiver operates periodically rather than continuously, activating only when location updates are needed for unauthorized removal detection. This periodic operation maintains location tracking accuracy while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically determines when GPS location updates are necessary based on movement detection and communication with the keycode unit, eliminating the need for constant power consumption. The GPS receiver is activated only when location verification is required for security purposes.
3Reliability
If lock unit is integrated in the equipment unit, then unauthorized removal control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock unit is integrated into the equipment unit alongside the GPS receiver and communication unit, combining multiple security and tracking functions into a single modular component. This merging approach improves unauthorized removal control through coordinated functionality while managing device complexity through modular integration.
4Ease of operation
If inductive power supply is used for the keycode unit, then ease of operation is improved, but use of energy by stationary object increases
Solution Approach 1:
The keycode unit draws power inductively from the power line without requiring a separate battery or power source. This self-powered approach eliminates user intervention for power supply while maintaining operational ease, and the inductive coupling efficiency manages energy consumption for the stationary unit.
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
Enables secure and reliable control of electric appliances, preventing unauthorized removal and misuse by ensuring appliances remain functional only within authorized areas, while allowing for tracking, utilization analysis, and energy consumption monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
A power supply for the keycode unit may be provided by induction from a power line
Data Source
AI summary
Asset management for control of electric appliances comprises a keycode unit and an equipment unit embedded in an appliance. The keycode unit is located in a protected environment and relates to an asset management area. The equipment unit may store an appliance identification code. The keycode unit and the equipment unit may be in communication contact, whereby the equipment unit sends positioning coordinates to the keycode unit, and wherein the equipment unit is adapted to lock the appliance via the lock unit, in response to a lock signal that the equipment unit receives from the keycode unit, if the appliance moves outside the asset management area.