Shared Bicycle Access Control Using Pressure-Based Rider Screening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bicycle sharing services face safety issues due to users who are not suitable for the bicycles, such as being too light, too heavy, or too young, leading to potential injury and poor user experience.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that detects pressure signals from various parts of the bicycle to determine access permission levels, controlling electric components like locks, braking devices, and motors based on user weight and legitimacy, ensuring safe and appropriate usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the bicycle is made available for sharing without restrictions, then the service coverage and user accessibility are improved, but safety issues arise due to unsuitable users (too light, too heavy, or too young)
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of user eligibility by detecting physical parameters (weight via pressure sensors, height via distance sensors) and using these measurements to determine whether a user meets the safety criteria for bicycle operation. This resolves the contradiction by allowing service coverage while filtering out unsuitable users based on measured parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual verification of user suitability with automated sensor-based detection systems. Pressure sensors, distance sensors, and processors automatically detect and evaluate user characteristics, substituting the need for manual safety checks and enabling scalable safety enforcement across shared bicycles.
2Reliability
If pressure sensors and detection systems are added to the bicycle, then user safety and suitability verification are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is designed to serve multiple functions: weight detection for safety verification, height detection for user classification, and operational status monitoring. By making the sensor system multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate detection devices and minimizes overall system complexity while maintaining high reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bicycle system performs self-verification of user suitability through integrated sensors and automated processing. The system independently detects user characteristics, determines eligibility, and controls operation permissions without requiring external verification systems, thereby reducing overall system complexity while ensuring safety.
3Reliability
If the system restricts bicycle functions based on user characteristics, then safety and appropriate usage are improved, but the ease of operation and user convenience decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection and verification of user characteristics before allowing bicycle operation. By detecting weight, height, and other parameters in advance and determining eligibility beforehand, the system ensures safety is established prior to use, while the actual operation remains simple for authorized users.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides immediate feedback to users regarding their eligibility status based on detected characteristics. The processor communicates whether the user meets safety requirements and what operational restrictions apply, allowing users to understand the reasoning behind restrictions while maintaining a straightforward interaction process.
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 system ensures safe and appropriate usage by restricting or enabling bicycle functions based on user weight and legitimacy, preventing injuries and ensuring proper bicycle operation, thereby enhancing user safety and experience.
Implementation Method 1
At least one processor may detect a pressure signal from at least one part of the bicycle
Data Source
AI summary
A system and a method for controlling a bicycle used in an online to offline (O2O) service platform that provides a sharing service of bicycles are provided. The system may detect a pressure signal from at least one part of the bicycle. The system may determine an access permission level based at least on the pressure signal. The system may further control at least one electric control component of the bicycle according to at least the user permission level.