Autonomous Item Dispensing Robot with Biometric Payment Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robotic devices for distributing items lack the capability to autonomously move and verify user identity and payment, leading to inefficiencies in item distribution, especially in settings like hotels and medical centers.
Innovation Solution
A robotic device equipped with a motion unit for autonomous movement, storage compartments for designated items, an item dispenser, recognition scanners for user verification, and a control unit that manages the distribution process, including payment verification and inventory management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a robotic device is equipped with multiple recognition scanners and payment verification systems, then security and reliability of item distribution is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple recognition scanners (facial recognition, fingerprint, iris) and payment verification systems into a single integrated robotic device. The control unit coordinates all these subsystems to work together, allowing the robot to verify user identity through multiple biometric methods and process payments before dispensing items. This merging approach improves security and reliability by ensuring proper item distribution while managing the complexity through centralized control.
2Productivity
If the robotic device autonomously moves to users throughout the premise, then productivity and user convenience are improved, but the need for full-time staff increases operational costs
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic device employs dynamic autonomous navigation capabilities, allowing it to move freely throughout the premise and autonomously locate users. The motion unit enables the robot to navigate corridors, rooms, and different floors independently, adapting its path based on real-time conditions. This dynamic mobility improves productivity by delivering items efficiently without requiring stationary dispensing points or full-time staff, while the centralized control unit manages the navigation complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the device includes multiple storage compartments for different items, then adaptability and versatility of the robotic device are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic device incorporates multiple segmented storage compartments, each designed to hold different types of items such as medications, toiletries, or snacks. Each compartment can be independently accessed and managed by the control unit, which tracks the contents and location of each item type. This segmentation allows the robot to provide diverse item distribution services across different settings (hotels, medical centers, nursing facilities) while maintaining manageable complexity through modular compartment design and centralized inventory management.
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
The robotic device efficiently and securely distributes items to designated persons by autonomously navigating to users, verifying identities and payments, and managing inventory, thereby reducing the need for full-time staff and enhancing operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
activates the controlled vacuum to suck and hold the designated item into the vacuum tube, directs the mobile arm to move the vacuum tube until it aligns with the exit tube, and deactivates the controlled vacuum causing the designated item to fall through the exit tube
Data Source
AI summary
A robotic device for distributing designated items to persons includes a motion unit to autonomously move the robotic device through a premise, storage for designated items, an item dispenser to dispense from the storage, memory modules containing recognition scans and payment information of persons located within the premise and information of the designated items. The memory modules contain secondary recognition scans of persons located within the premise, recognition scanners, secondary recognition scanners, an additional scanner by an exit tube, a control unit in communication with the motion unit, the recognition scanners, the memory and the item dispenser and where the control unit directs the motion unit to move the robotic device within the premise, upon encountering a purchaser who selects a designated item, directs the recognition scanners to scan payment details of the purchaser and compares images from the recognition scanners to stored recognitions scans to verify payment.