Augmented Reality Locker Assignment for Faster User Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locker systems in amusement parks face inefficiencies in assigning and accessing lockers, including time-consuming registration, difficulty in finding available lockers, and challenges in managing multiple user requests simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A locker system utilizing augmented reality (AR) headsets to efficiently assign and provide access to lockers by communicating assignments to users, allowing them to interact with lockers using gestures and body movements, and guiding them to their assigned lockers through augmented reality displays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users manually search and register for available lockers among a large number of lockers, then locker access is achieved, but the process becomes time-consuming and burdensome
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting users approaching the locker area via cameras, determining their locations, and pre-assigning available lockers before users even request them. This eliminates the need for users to manually search and register, directly resolving the time-consuming registration process while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The locker system provides self-service functionality by automatically detecting user presence, identifying available lockers, and assigning them without requiring manual user intervention. The system serves itself by managing the entire allocation process autonomously, reducing both user burden and time expenditure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a large number of lockers are provided to serve many users, then locker availability increases, but the complexity of managing and assigning lockers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual or mechanical locker management systems with an automated electronic system using cameras, processors, and communication modules. This substitution handles the complexity of managing numerous lockers automatically, maintaining high availability while reducing operational complexity through technology-driven automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors locker status and user presence, using real-time feedback to dynamically adjust and optimize locker assignments. This feedback mechanism ensures efficient utilization of available lockers while automatically adapting to changing conditions, managing complexity through continuous information flow and responsive control.
3Reliability
If users need to remember locker numbers and locations, then secure access is maintained, but user burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary communication channel between the locker management system and users, sending assignment information electronically to user devices. This intermediary delivers secure access information without requiring users to memorize details, maintaining security through controlled information delivery while eliminating the memory burden.
Data Source
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AI summary
A locker system 10 includes a locker area 21, a plurality of lockers 20 positioned in the locker area 21, and a plurality of augmented reality headsets 18. Individual augmented headsets 18 of the plurality of augmented reality headsets 18 including a display 44 and being configured to be worn by respective individual users. The locker system 10 also includes a controller 30 communicatively coupled to the plurality of lockers 20 and the plurality of augmented reality headsets 18, wherein the controller 30 comprises a memory 34 and a processor 32 configured to execute instructions stored on the memory 34. The instructions include generating locker assignments to assign individual lockers 20 of the plurality of lockers 20 to the respective individual users, communicating the locker assignments of the assigned individual lockers 20 to the respective individual users using the plurality of augmented reality headsets 18, and controlling operation of the assigned individual lockers 20 of the plurality of lockers 20 based on signals received from the plurality of augmented reality headsets 18.