Portable Locker Biometric Locking for Theft Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

The risk of theft or loss of valuable objects during transit, storage, and handling is significant due to the lack of comprehensive security measures that ensure authorized access and tracking throughout various phases.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising portable lockers with integrated locks and processing circuits that determine the locker's location and unlock only at designated destinations, coupled with biometric authentication and secure docking stations for controlled access and tracking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If employees carry valuable objects between locations, then the valuable objects can be transported, but the risk of theft or misappropriation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransport capabilityVSAvoidsecurity risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the valuable object transport process into segmented phases: secure storage in portable lockers during transit, controlled docking at designated stations, and biometric authentication at each stage. This segmentation allows continuous tracking and security control while maintaining transport capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The portable locker acts as an intermediary between the valuable object and the employee, providing a secure container that can be tracked and controlled. The docking station serves as another intermediary that mediates the transfer of lockers between locations, ensuring security through controlled access points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If valuable objects are stored at business locations or bank branches, then they are accessible for handling, but they become targets for theft attempts

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidtheft risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by requiring biometric authentication before allowing access to valuable objects, even at designated locations. The lockers remain secured until proper authentication is verified, preventing unauthorized access while maintaining legitimate accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the location and status of portable lockers through tracking mechanisms, providing feedback to the control system. This enables real-time security responses and ensures that valuable objects remain under control while being accessible at authorized locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If a portable locker is always locked for security, then theft risk is reduced, but authorized access becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidaccess convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The lock mechanism transitions dynamically between locked and unlocked states based on biometric authentication results. The system adapts its security state in real-time, remaining locked during transport and only unlocking when verified authorization is provided, thus maintaining both security and operational convenience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11952827B1Portable locker and docking station system
Publication Date: 2024.04.09 WELLS FARGO BANK NA
  • US11952827B1 patent drawing
  • US11952827B1 patent drawing
  • US11952827B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A system includes a portable locker configured to contain contents and a remote server. The portable locker is configured to prevent access to the contents until the portable locker arrives at a preset destination from a starting location and notify a remote server in response to a determination that the portable locker is not within a threshold range of a user device during transit to the predefined destination.