Geolocation Fire Hydrant Access Control for Remote Authorization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current solutions for accessing services like water from fire hydrants or bicycles lack remote control and monitoring capabilities, leading to issues such as unauthorized use, inefficient billing, and high energy consumption due to reliance on physical devices and manual operations.

Innovation Solution

A device connected to fire hydrants or bicycles that uses GPS and electronic components to generate activation codes based on geolocation, allowing remote authorization and monitoring, with energy recovery through microturbines to reduce electrical consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If physical water supply kits are used for temporary water distribution, then access to water is provided, but remote control and monitoring capabilities are lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater distributionVSAvoidremote control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the purely mechanical water supply kit with a hybrid system that incorporates electronic components (GPS receiver, processor, communication interface) while maintaining the mechanical water connection capability. This substitution enables remote monitoring and control functions while preserving the ease of physical water distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a communication interface as an intermediary between the physical water supply device and the remote monitoring system. This intermediary enables data transmission between the field device and central system, facilitating remote control and monitoring without interfering with the mechanical water distribution function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If physical meters are used for water consumption measurement, then usage tracking is enabled, but manual reading and billing errors occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater consumption measurementVSAvoidbilling accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements an automated feedback system where the GPS receiver continuously obtains position data, the processor compares it with authorized locations, and the communication interface transmits consumption data and status information to the remote system. This closed-loop feedback eliminates manual reading errors and ensures accurate billing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual meter reading with an automated electronic system that uses GPS positioning and wireless communication to transmit consumption data. This substitution eliminates human error in reading and entering meter indices, improving both measurement precision and billing accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of information

If operators manually visit construction sites for meter reading, then consumption data is collected, but travel time and operational efficiency are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconsumption data collectionVSAvoidoperator efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the water supply device to automatically perform data collection and transmission functions. The GPS receiver self-obtains position data, the processor self-compares locations, and the communication interface self-transmits consumption information, eliminating the need for operator visits and significantly improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual operator visit system with an automated electronic data collection and transmission system. This substitution eliminates travel time and manual data entry, allowing operators to focus on higher-value tasks and dramatically improving overall operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If location-based access control is implemented, then unauthorized use is prevented, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess controlVSAvoiddevice energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic GPS position checking rather than continuous monitoring. The system checks the device position at intervals to verify it remains at the authorized location, which provides adequate access control while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous tracking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the existing GPS satellite infrastructure as an intermediary to provide location data without requiring the device to continuously transmit or process location information. This approach maintains reliable access control while minimizing the device's own energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 secure, remote control of service access, reduces energy consumption, and improves billing accuracy by tracking usage and location, ensuring authorized access and efficient resource management.

Implementation Method 1

at least one microturbine (42) arranged to convert kinetic energy produced by the water flow into electrical energy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectKinetic energy conversion: Turbine

Data Source

PatentEP3857842B1Method for activating a service, method for activating a fire hydrant, associated device and system
Publication Date: 2023.08.02 CONSOMIX
  • EP3857842B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3857842B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3857842B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A method for activating a service associated with an object (10, 11), comprising: - acquiring (REC_POS) a position (POS1) by means of a geolocation system of the device (1) rigidly attached to said object (10, 11); - calculating an activation code (GEN_CA1) based on the acquired position (POS1); - displaying the activation code (AFF_CA); - transmitting the activation code (CA1) by means of a mobile electronic terminal (T1) comprising a wireless interface to a remote entity (SERV1); - receiving of a response code (CR1) by the mobile electronic terminal (T1), the response code (CR1) being generated by the remote entity (SERV1); - acquiring the response code (CR1) by means of an input interface of the device (1); - decoding of the response code by the device (1); - generating a command unlocking a service associated with the object (10, 11) rigidly attached to the device (1).