Networked Bike Locking System with Tamper Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic parking systems for bicycles lack the ability to securely serve multiple users and provide adequate protection against theft and vandalism, particularly in high-density urban areas like New York City.
Innovation Solution
A networked bike locking system that employs a plurality of securing units with locking mechanisms controlled by a computing device connected to a data network, allowing users to reserve and securely lock their bicycles using authentication methods, and featuring tamper sensors and video monitoring for enhanced security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a simple parking system is used, then the device complexity is low, but the security protection against theft and vandalism is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into multiple independent components: securing units with locking mechanisms, computing devices for control, server computers for data management, tamper sensors for detection, and video monitoring systems. Each component performs a specific function, allowing the complex security system to be managed through modular segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
A server computer acts as an intermediary between users, securing units, and monitoring systems. It receives identifying data, verifies identities, sends control messages to locking mechanisms, and coordinates tamper sensor alerts and video monitoring, thereby managing the overall system complexity centrally.
2Reliability
If authentication and verification systems are implemented, then the security against unauthorized access is improved, but the ease of operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Users perform self-service authentication by providing identifying data through the computing device. The system automatically verifies identity, determines available securing units, and activates locking mechanisms without requiring manual intervention from operators, thereby maintaining ease of operation while ensuring security.
Solution Approach 2:
The server computer pre- verifies user identities and pre-assigns securing units before the actual parking operation. This preliminary authentication and assignment process streamlines the user interaction, as users only need to follow simple instructions displayed on the computing device rather than navigating complex authentication procedures in real-time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple securing units are deployed across a city, then the versatility and coverage are improved, but the device complexity and network infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The server computer provides universal services to all securing units across the city through the data network. It handles user authentication, securing unit assignment, locking control, tamper sensor monitoring, and video coordination for all locations, allowing a single centralized system to manage diverse geographical deployments without proportionally increasing complexity at each site.
Data Source
AI summary
An advanced automatic system for securing movable goods is disclosed. In particular a parking station for bicycles is disclosed comprising at least one interactive workstation and a plurality of parking kiosks, in which parking stations are installed in a plurality of sites within a city or a limited geographical area and are electronically tied together through an interactive networked computing system. The station features countermeasures to prevent vandalism of the bicycle locked therewithin. The computing system provides the ability for users to reserve spaces and directs users to their reserved space.