Concealed Coin Sleeve Tracking for Stolen Currency Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tracking systems, such as dye packs, are ineffective for locating and apprehending robbers in non-bank settings and do not facilitate recovery of stolen currency by the general public.
Innovation Solution
A sleeve containing a processor, global positioning system transceiver, and wireless communication transmitter, disguised as a roll of coins, which tracks the location of stolen currency and alerts authorities in real time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a dye pack is used to mark stolen currency, then visual confirmation of theft is provided, but the ability to track and locate thieves is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single device: the tracking device integrates location tracking (GPS), wireless communication (cellular transmitter), and visual confirmation (dye pack mechanism) into one unit that can be concealed within currency bundles. This merging resolves the contradiction by providing both visual confirmation and location tracking simultaneously without requiring separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracking device is designed with multi-functionality to serve multiple purposes: it tracks location via GPS, communicates with law enforcement via cellular transmitter, provides visual confirmation through dye pack deployment, and can be concealed within various types of currency bundles. This universal design allows the same device to address multiple security needs, resolving the limitation of single-function dye packs.
2Reliability
If a tracking device is added to provide location data, then thief apprehension is facilitated, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking device is nested within a sleeve that can be concealed inside currency bundles. The GPS receiver, cellular transmitter, and dye pack mechanism are all housed within this compact nested structure, allowing the complex functionality to be hidden within a simple-looking outer form that resembles ordinary currency packaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracking device operates autonomously once activated: the GPS receiver automatically tracks location, the cellular transmitter automatically sends location data to law enforcement, and the dye pack automatically deploys upon detection of theft. This self-service operation reduces the need for complex manual controls or external systems, simplifying the user interface despite the sophisticated internal functionality.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the tracking device is concealed within currency, then thief awareness is reduced, but detection and measurement difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking device is designed to be homogeneous with its surrounding environment: the sleeve matches the appearance of ordinary currency bundles, the electronic components are miniaturized to fit within the limited space, and the overall form factor resembles standard cash packaging. This homogeneity makes the device difficult to detect visually or physically, keeping thieves unaware of the tracking functionality.
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 real-time tracking and recovery of stolen currency, facilitating apprehension of thieves by providing location data to law enforcement and users.
Implementation Method 1
A global positioning system transceiver is electrically coupled to the processor. The global positioning system transceiver is configured to wirelessly communicate with a global positioning system unit wherein the global positioning system transceiver is configured to identify a geographic location of the sleeve.
Implementation Method 2
A wireless communication transmitter is electrically coupled to the processor. The wireless communication transmitter is configured to wirelessly communicate with an electronic device wherein the wireless communication transmitter is configured to send the geographic location of the sleeve to the electronic device.
Data Source
AI summary
A coin anti-theft device for tracking a location of stolen coins to facilitate apprehension of thieves and recovery of stolen property includes a sleeve. A plurality of coins is positioned within the sleeve. A processor is positioned within the sleeve. A global positioning system transceiver is electrically coupled to the processor. The global positioning system transceiver is designed to wirelessly communicate with a global positioning system unit wherein the global positioning system transceiver is designed to identify a geographic location of the sleeve. A wireless communication transmitter is electrically coupled to the processor. The wireless communication transmitter is designed to wirelessly communicate with an electronic device wherein the wireless communication transmitter is designed to send the geographic location of the sleeve to the electronic device.