Portable Storage Device with NFC Authentication Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a growing need to automate material management in companies and public institutions for portable storage devices, particularly for consumables, to ensure secure and efficient access and tracking of goods.
Innovation Solution
A portable storage device equipped with a locking mechanism and authentication unit that uses NFC/RFID or WLAN technology to control access, allowing only authorized users to access the contents, and an input device to specify and record the quantity of goods removed, ensuring secure and automated management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking device is added to the portable storage device, then security and access control are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is integrated with the closure device, combining the closing function and locking function into a single unified mechanism. This reduces the number of separate components while maintaining security functionality, thereby improving access control without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
An authentication unit is introduced as an intermediary between the user and the locking device. This unit verifies user credentials and controls the locking mechanism accordingly, enabling automated access control while keeping the locking device itself relatively simple in structure.
2Extent of automation
If an authentication unit is integrated into the storage device, then access control automation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it authenticates users, communicates with the locking device, and can interface with external systems. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby improving automation while limiting the increase in overall system complexity.
3Productivity
If input device and authentication unit are added, then goods management automation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The input device for specifying quantity and the authentication unit for user verification are integrated into a unified control interface. This combination allows users to perform multiple operations (authentication, quantity input) through a single integrated system, improving goods management automation while reducing the number of separate control components.
4Ease of operation
If locking device is made portable, then mobility is improved, but locking reliability may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is combined with the closure device into a single integrated component. This merger ensures that the locking mechanism moves with the closure, maintaining security functionality in a portable format without requiring separate heavy locking components, thus preserving both portability and locking reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
In a portable storage device (1) for storing and managing goods, comprising a receiving container (2) for receiving the goods with at least one opening, it is provided that: - a locking device (4) for closing the at least one opening is arranged on the receiving container (2); - a locking device (8) for locking and unlocking the locking device (4) is arranged on the locking device (4) and/or on the receiving container (2), wherein in the unlocked state at least a part (6) of the locking device (4) can be opened; and - an authentication unit (12) for identifying a user is located on the locking device (4) and/or on the receiving container (2), wherein, depending on the result of a test performed by the authentication unit (12), the locking device (8) unlocks the locking device (4).