Portable Safe and Coded Shopping Bag for Secure Mall Storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Public settings, such as shopping malls and beaches, pose challenges for securing valuables, particularly when shoppers need to manage multiple or large shopping bags, which can be inconvenient and distracting, leading to potential theft or loss.
Innovation Solution
A portable safe with a removable-resisting edge or anchor for secure insertion into sand or loose ground, combined with a tamper-detecting alarm and wireless locking/unlocking system, along with a coded shopping bag that converts to a shipping box, enabling secure storage and shipping of valuables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If shoppers carry multiple or large shopping bags, then they can transport more goods, but it becomes inconvenient and distracting, increasing theft risk
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the shopping bag into two functional parts: a reusable outer bag and a separate portable safe compartment. The safe can be detached and secured to the bag, allowing shoppers to separate the storage function from the carrying function. This segmentation enables secure storage of valuables without requiring shoppers to constantly monitor or carry large bags themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable safe acts as an intermediary between the shopper and their goods. Instead of directly carrying and monitoring all items, the safe serves as a secure intermediate storage point that can be attached to the bag. This intermediary device provides security while allowing the shopper to focus on other shopping activities.
2Reliability
If shoppers use portable safes for secure storage, then theft risk is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The portable safe is designed with multi-functionality to reduce overall system complexity. It can be attached to shopping bags, used independently as a stand-alone safe, or integrated with the bag system. The safe incorporates multiple security features (locking mechanisms, alarm systems, tamper detection) within a single device, eliminating the need for separate security components and simplifying the overall system.
3Strength
If shopping bags are made secure and durable, then they can protect valuables, but they become harder to carry and manage
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the structural support function from the security function. The outer bag provides the carrying structure and durability, while the portable safe provides the security function. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently: the bag for ease of carrying and the safe for security, without compromising either aspect.
Data Source
AI summary
New systems and methods are provided for flexible stowing and shipping of purchases from one or more retail stores at a shopping mall. In some aspects, a new method for encoding a shopping bag and pre-authorizing, at a retail store within the shopping mall, the storage and shipment of the shopping bag and its contents at a shipping facility, also on or about the shopping mall, is provided for centralized on-location holding and/or shipping. Systems and methods for conversion of the shopping bag to a configuration better suited to storage and shipment are provided, at a shipping and storage kiosk and/or machine. Billing methods based on the encoding and recorded user preferences are also provided.