Internal Musical Instrument Tracking Device
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Musical instruments are frequently stolen due to their ease of concealment and high resale value, with less than 3% being recovered, as existing tracking methods are ineffective and interference with the instruments' acoustic properties can impact performance.
Innovation Solution
A location transmitting device is permanently secured inside the musical instrument, requiring removal of a musical component to access, which outputs the instrument's location if stolen, and is powered by an integrated energy source, ensuring minimal interference with the instrument's functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a location transmitting device is permanently secured inside the musical instrument, then theft deterrence and location tracking capability are improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of removal increase
Solution Approach 1:
The location transmitting device is integrated with the musical instrument by securing it inside the instrument body, combining the tracking function with the instrument structure. This merging approach ensures the device cannot be easily removed without damaging the instrument, thereby improving theft deterrence while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The location transmitting device is nested inside the musical instrument body, with the device housed within the instrument's internal cavity. This nesting arrangement protects the device while keeping it permanently associated with the instrument, improving reliability without significantly increasing external complexity.
2Reliability
If the location transmitting device is permanently secured inside the musical instrument, then theft recovery capability is improved, but the acoustic properties of the instrument may be degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The location transmitting device is positioned in a specific local area within the instrument body (such as the lower bout cavity or near the bridge), rather than distributed throughout. This localized placement minimizes interference with the overall acoustic properties while maintaining effective tracking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The location transmitting device is extracted as a separate functional module that can be independently positioned within the instrument body. This extraction allows the device to be placed in locations that minimize acoustic interference, such as dead spaces or areas with minimal impact on sound resonance.
3Reliability
If the location transmitting device requires removal of musical components for access, then theft prevention is improved, but the ease of operation and maintenance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The location transmitting device is pre-secured within the instrument body in a position that requires removal of musical components for access. This preliminary anti-action design creates a barrier against theft by making the device inaccessible without damaging the instrument, thereby improving theft prevention while accepting reduced ease of access.
4Loss of time
If the location transmitting device is integrated with the musical instrument, then loss of time for tracking is reduced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The location transmitting device is pre-installed and integrated into the musical instrument during the manufacturing process, rather than being added later. This preliminary action ensures the device is immediately functional upon instrument completion, reducing tracking response time while incorporating the device into the standard manufacturing workflow.
Data Source
AI summary
A musical instrument location transmitting device and system includes a musical instrument having a location transmitting device and an electric power source permanently secured in the musical instrument in a position that requires removal of a musical component of the musical instrument in order to remove the location transmitting device. The location transmitting device includes a location sensing unit and a wireless transmitter that outputs a location of the musical instrument. A system wirelessly monitors a location of the musical instruments. A method of making a musical instrument includes coupling a location transmitting device inside a musical instrument and closing the musical instrument to permanently install the location transmitting device.