Secure Mobile Charging Station with UV Sanitization and Electronic Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile device users face challenges in locating public charging stations, leading to battery exhaustion due to the limited availability of such stations and the inconvenience of manual charging systems, which are often insecure and lack efficient tracking mechanisms, resulting in device theft.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that provides secure, interconnected mobile device charging stations with electronic locks, ultraviolet lighting, and image verification, coupled with a database and server that alert users to nearby charging stations based on their location and battery level, offering secure and efficient charging solutions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual charging systems with physical keys are used, then device charging is enabled, but security is compromised and tracking is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical key-based locking systems with electronic lock mechanisms that use digital codes or biometric authentication. This substitution enables automated tracking of device checkout and return through electronic records, eliminating the need for physical key management while enhancing security and providing efficient tracking capabilities.
2Ease of operation
If public charging stations are increased in number, then user accessibility is improved, but system cost and management complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service functionality where users can independently checkout devices using automated authentication methods and return devices through automated verification processes. The system automatically tracks device locations, monitors charging status, and manages inventory across multiple stations, eliminating the need for manual management intervention while enabling widespread deployment of charging locations.
3Reliability
If tracking mechanisms are added to monitor device checkout, then device theft is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors device checkout status, user authentication data, and return verification through integrated sensors and communication modules. The system automatically generates alerts for overdue returns, updates inventory records in real-time, and provides feedback to both users and administrators, enabling effective theft prevention without requiring complex manual tracking procedures.
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
The system ensures users can locate and securely charge their devices at nearby stations, reducing theft and increasing user convenience while providing advertising opportunities for retailers and enhancing customer loyalty.
Implementation Method 1
an ultraviolet lighting device disposed in at least one of the one or more compartments, computing memory having associated therewith code, and a processor communicatively coupled with the computing memory, configured to execute the code and to control the ultraviolet lighting device to selectively emit ultraviolet lighting in an interior of the at least one of the one or more compartments
Data Source
AI summary
A system is disclosed. The system has a housing, one or more compartments, each of the one or more compartments including a compartment door disposed at a first side of the housing, an operator door that selectively opens to allow access to a cavity that accesses the one or more compartments, and closes to block access to the one or more compartments, an electronic lock configured to selectively lock and unlock the operator door, the electronic lock including an operator interface, an ultraviolet lighting device disposed in at least one of the one or more compartments, computing memory having associated therewith code, and a processor communicatively coupled with the computing memory, configured to execute the code and to control the ultraviolet lighting device to selectively emit ultraviolet lighting in an interior of the at least one of the one or more compartments.