Self-adjusting Biometric Sensor for Medication Cabinets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional biometric sensors are difficult to integrate into existing medication management systems and clinical workflows, leading to inefficiencies and potential user errors in capturing biometric data, which can compromise diversion detection and prevention of controlled substances.

Innovation Solution

A self-adjusting biometric sensor that automatically returns to a neutral position after capturing biometric data, minimizing adjustments and accommodating a range of user heights and physical characteristics, while incorporating a mechanism to shift and return to an adjusted position as needed for optimal data capture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional biometric sensors are integrated into existing medication management systems, then biometric data capture capability is added, but device complexity and difficulty of integration increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiometric data capture capabilityVSAvoidintegration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The biometric sensor is designed with a neutral position configuration that serves multiple users across different height percentiles (5th, 50th, and 95th percentiles), making the sensor universal and reducing the need for frequent adjustments or multiple sensors for different user groups

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If the biometric sensor is fixed in a neutral position, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability to different user heights and physical characteristics deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor operation simplicityVSAvoidaccommodation of user variations

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The biometric sensor incorporates an adjustable mechanism that allows dynamic repositioning between a neutral position (optimized for median-height users) and adjusted positions (accommodating shorter or taller users). This dynamic capability enables the sensor to adapt to different user physical characteristics while maintaining ease of operation through automated or guided adjustment protocols

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor system changes operational parameters such as field-of-view angle, capture region positioning, and adjustment thresholds based on detected user characteristics or usage patterns, allowing the same physical sensor to optimize performance across diverse user populations without requiring manual reconfiguration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the biometric sensor requires frequent adjustments for different users, then adaptability improves, but loss of time and operational efficiency worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser accommodation capabilityVSAvoidadjustment time per user

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-configures the biometric sensor with adjustment parameters optimized for different user height percentiles and stores these configurations in advance. When a user interacts with the system, the appropriate pre-configured settings are automatically applied, eliminating the need for manual real-time adjustments and reducing time loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Adaptability or versatility

If the biometric sensor is adjusted frequently, then adaptability to individual users improves, but wear and mechanical reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindividual user optimizationVSAvoidmechanical durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The biometric sensor system automatically detects user characteristics and self-adjusts to optimal positions without requiring manual intervention. This self-service capability reduces the frequency of mechanical adjustments, thereby minimizing wear on adjustment mechanisms while maintaining adaptability to individual users

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20250209769A1Self-adjusting biometric sensor

Publication Date: 2025.06.26 CAREFUSION 303 INC

AI summary

A biometric sensor may include a scanner configured to capture a biometric data and an adjustment mechanism configured to respond to a force applied to the biometric sensor by shifting the biometric sensor from a neutral position to an adjusted position. The adjustment mechanism may be configured to respond to the removal of the force by returning the biometric sensor to the neutral position. While the biometric sensor is in the neutral position, the scanner may be capable of capturing a biometric data of a majority of users interacting with the apparatus. Accordingly, the biometric sensor may be able to operate with minimal adjustments. The biometric sensor may be part of a dispensing cabinet such that the biometric data captured by the biometric sensor may be used to control access to the dispensing cabinet. Related methods are also disclosed.