Locker Apparatus Wireless Signal Unlocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
In logistics environments, existing systems for managing and tracking hand portable electronic devices are inefficient, particularly in ensuring secure and convenient access to these devices stored in lockers, as they often require users to be assigned specific lockers and can lead to errors in device placement.
Innovation Solution
A locker apparatus equipped with receivers for signal reception, a locking mechanism, user input circuitry, and a processor that executes computer program instructions to identify users and transmit signals to hand portable electronic devices to unlock their respective lockers, allowing for flexible storage and retrieval without the need for specific locker assignments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If users are assigned specific lockers for storing hand portable electronic devices, then secure access control is improved, but device placement errors increase and system flexibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The hand portable electronic device autonomously identifies the locker and transmits the unlock signal without user intervention. The device self-services the locking/unlocking process by detecting its assigned locker through signal exchange and automatically triggering the unlock sequence, eliminating manual locker assignment errors while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes bidirectional signal communication between the locker receiver and the hand portable electronic device. The locker transmits an identification signal, the device receives and processes it, then sends back an acknowledgment or unlock request, creating a feedback loop that ensures accurate device-locker matching and prevents placement errors.
2Reliability
If users are assigned specific lockers, then access management is improved, but user convenience and retrieval speed deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical process of users remembering and navigating to assigned lockers is replaced with an automated electronic signal system. The hand portable electronic device communicates wirelessly with the locker receiver to automatically trigger unlocking, substituting human memory and physical navigation with electronic identification and automated actuation, thereby reducing retrieval time while maintaining access control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-establishes the association between the hand portable electronic device and its assigned locker through signal exchange before the user needs to retrieve the device. The locker receiver waits for the device to come within range and automatically initiates the unlock sequence when the device is detected, performing the access management action in advance of the user's explicit request, thus reducing retrieval time.
3Device complexity
If manual locker assignment systems are used, then system complexity is reduced, but error rates in device placement increase
Solution Approach 1:
A signal transmission intermediary system is introduced between the user and the locker assignment process. The hand portable electronic device acts as an intermediary that carries the identification signal to the correct locker receiver, which then processes the signal to trigger unlocking. This intermediary electronic communication layer eliminates manual assignment errors while adding minimal complexity compared to manual systems.
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
This solution enhances the efficiency of storing and retrieving hand portable electronic devices by allowing users to place them in any locker, reducing errors associated with specific assignments and improving access management in logistics environments.
Implementation Method 1
each locker comprises a receiver configured to receive signals from a hand portable electronic device
Implementation Method 2
The transmitter may be a radio frequency transmitter. The computer program instructions may be configured, when executed by the at least one processor, to cause the transmitter to transmit a radio frequency signal to the hand portable electronic device.
Implementation Method 3
The receiver may be configured to receive light signals and the signal output by the hand portable electronic device may be output by a display of the hand portable electronic device.
Data Source
AI summary
A locker apparatus, method and computer program are provided. The locker apparatus comprises: a plurality of lockers, wherein each locker is for storing a hand portable electronic device, and wherein each locker comprises a receiver configured to receive signals from a hand portable electronic device and comprises a locking mechanism for locking and unlocking the locker; user input circuitry configured to receive inputs from a user; a transmitter; at least one processor; and memory storing at least one computer program having computer program instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause at least the following to be performed: in response to input being received at the user input circuitry identifying a user, identifying a hand portable electronic device for the user; causing the transmitter to a transmit a signal to the hand portable electronic device to cause the hand portable electronic device to output a signal for opening a locker; and if the signal output by the hand portable electronic device is received by one of the receivers, causing the locking mechanism of the locker comprising the receiver that received the signal output by the hand portable electronic device to unlock the locker.