Cigarette Dispenser with Programmable Locking Logic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Chronic smokers often unconsciously smoke a significant number of cigarettes, and existing systems fail to effectively limit or reduce this subconscious smoking habit.
Innovation Solution
A container system with a clamping device that can be locked or unlocked based on programmable time intervals, using a Fagerström test to determine nicotine dependence levels and adjust dispensation times, combined with a processing device and wireless communication for controlled cigarette access, preventing subconscious smoking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a container system with clamping device and programmable time intervals is used to control cigarette access, then the number of cigarettes smoked is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container system is divided into separate functional modules: a clamping device for mechanical control, a logic control unit for timing management, and a processing device for Fagerström test evaluation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to limit cigarette access during programmed intervals
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary evaluation through the Fagerström test to determine nicotine dependence levels before implementing the dispensation schedule. Based on this preliminary assessment, the system pre-configures appropriate time intervals and locking durations, eliminating the need for complex real-time adjustments and simplifying the control logic
2Quantity of substance
If the container is locked during non-dispensation intervals to prevent subconscious smoking, then smoking reduction is effective, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping device transitions dynamically between locked and unlocked states based on the programmed dispensation intervals. During approved time windows, the device automatically unlocks to allow cigarette access, then re-locks during non-dispensation periods. This dynamic behavior is managed by the logic control unit, which simplifies user interaction by automatically handling the locking/unlocking transitions without requiring manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the logic control unit monitors the current state of the clamping device and the elapsed time since the last dispensation. This feedback loop ensures that the device unlocks precisely at the appropriate moments and re-locks after the designated interval, maintaining both effectiveness in reducing subconscious smoking and ease of operation through automatic state management
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A system and method is described for the controlled dispensation of cigarettes wherein a container (1) is provided with at least two portions (2, 3) couplable one to another to define a housing for containing cigarettes (5) or a pack (6) of cigarettes, said container further comprising a clamping device switchable between a locked mode, in which the opening of the container is not allowed, and an unlocked mode in which the opening and closing of the container (1) are allowed, the container (1) comprises a logic control unit (10) comprising a programmable timer that provides at least one dispensation time interval during which the logic control unit is enabled to switch the clamping device (8) to the unlocked mode, the system (100) comprises a processing device (15) configured to communicate with the logic control unit (10) of the container (1) by means of wireless communicating modules (14a, 14b), so that the timer of the logic control unit is programmed by means of the processing device (15), the container (1) further comprises an unlocking button (19) by means of which an unlocking request is sent to the logic control unit (10) so that the logic control unit switches the clamping device (8) to said unlocked mode if the unlocking request occurs during said at least one dispensation time interval.