Container Locking and Dispense Tracking for Material Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for providing safety and security in industries handling liquids, chemicals, gases, and other substances are not robust and often expensive, failing to adequately secure non-hazardous and hazardous materials, which poses risks to workers and equipment.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an onsite measuring device, a base station, a server, and a mobile device that uses near-field data encryption for secure communication to lock or unlock containers, enabling secure tracking and monitoring of substances through a network, providing real-time alerts and logistical information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional security systems are implemented for measuring and securing materials, then security coverage is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The portable computing device serves multiple functions: it acts as a measuring device, security system, communication hub, and data processing unit. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional device, the system achieves comprehensive security coverage without requiring separate expensive systems for each function, thereby reducing overall system cost while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable computing device acts as an intermediary between the container, the server, and the user. It receives measurements from sensors, transmits data to the server, and executes security decisions (locking/unlocking containers). This intermediary role eliminates the need for direct complex communication infrastructure between all components, simplifying the overall system architecture and reducing costs.
2Reliability
If comprehensive security monitoring is implemented for all materials, then security reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The security monitoring system is segmented into independent modular components: portable computing devices for field measurements, container-mounted sensors, a centralized server for data processing, and mobile devices for user interaction. Each component performs a specific function and can operate independently, reducing the complexity of the overall system architecture while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where measurements are taken, transmitted to the server, processed, and used to automatically trigger security actions (locking/unlocking). This automated feedback mechanism eliminates the need for complex manual monitoring and decision-making processes, simplifying the system architecture while maintaining high reliability through continuous automated surveillance.
3Reliability
If real-time measurement and tracking is implemented, then operational security is improved, but data transmission requirements increase system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The portable computing device serves as an intermediary that aggregates data from multiple sensors, processes it locally, and transmits consolidated information to the server. This reduces the volume of data that needs to be transmitted over the network and eliminates the need for direct complex communication links between every sensor and the central server, thereby reducing communication infrastructure complexity while maintaining real-time monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary data processing and filtering at the portable device level before transmission. Measurements are validated, aggregated, and pre-processed locally, so that only relevant and validated data is transmitted to the server. This preliminary action reduces network traffic and the complexity of data handling infrastructure required to support real-time operational security.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method and computer program product for providing safety and security of materials, including an onsite measuring device configured to measure dispensed liquid, fluids, or materials from a container, and transmit measurement information; a base station device configured to receive the transmitted measurement information, and transmit the received measurement information over a communications network; a server device configured to receive and process the measurement information, and transmit an authorization over the communications network to dispense the liquid, fluids, or materials in the container based on the processed measurement information; a mobile device configured to receive the authorization from the server device to lock or unlock the container so as to dispense the liquid, fluids, or materials in the container; and a locking device configured to lock or unlock the container to dispense the liquid, fluids, or materials based on the authorization received by the mobile device.