Smart Luggage with Biometric Locking and GPS Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Travelers face challenges in ensuring the security and handling of luggage, particularly with concerns about size and weight restrictions, loss, theft, and tampering during air travel, as existing luggage solutions lack advanced security features and efficient handling mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The development of next-generation luggage equipped with a computing device, biometric identification systems, GPS tracking, weight sensors, and a coupling mechanism, which allows authorized access and secure locking, as well as features like deployable wheels and a kickstand for improved handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional locking mechanisms are used, then the structure is simple, but security against theft and tampering is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical locking mechanisms with biometric identification systems (fingerprint, facial recognition, iris scanning) and electronic locking mechanisms. This substitution provides enhanced security through unique biological identifiers while maintaining reasonable complexity through integrated electronic control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The biometric identification system enables self-service authentication where the luggage automatically identifies and authenticates the owner through their unique biometric data, eliminating the need for manual key management or complex combination codes while enhancing security.
2Reliability
If no tracking system is implemented, then the device complexity is low, but the ability to monitor luggage location and prevent loss is absent
Solution Approach 1:
The GPS tracking system is integrated with the existing electronic control unit and communication modules of the luggage, allowing the same hardware infrastructure to serve multiple functions including location tracking, weight monitoring, and security control, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses mobile devices (smartphones, tablets) as intermediary interfaces between the luggage's tracking system and the user. The GPS and weight sensors collect data, which is then transmitted through wireless communication to the user's mobile device, providing real-time monitoring without requiring complex direct user interfaces on the luggage itself.
3Ease of operation
If manual handling mechanisms are used, then the ease of manufacture is high, but the ease of operation for users is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements deployable wheels and extendable handles that can dynamically adjust to different handling scenarios. The wheels can be deployed or retracted based on whether the luggage needs to be rolled or carried, and the handle can extend or retract based on user height and preference, enhancing operational ease while using relatively simple mechanical mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The deployable wheels and extendable handles are designed to automatically deploy or adjust when needed, reducing the manual effort required from users. The system self-adjusts to provide optimal handling characteristics without requiring complex user intervention or manual assembly.
4Reliability
If no weight monitoring is implemented, then the device complexity is low, but the ability to comply with airline weight restrictions is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The weight sensor system is integrated with the existing electronic control unit and wireless communication modules of the luggage. The same hardware infrastructure supports both weight monitoring and other functions such as power management and data storage, reducing overall system complexity while providing accurate weight information for airline compliance.
Data Source
AI summary
Luggage as well as systems, devices, methodologies, and software for use with such luggage are disclosed. The luggage may include one or more compartments and lids that can be locked. The luggage may also include an identification device for obtaining information identifying a user and a computing device, such as a microcontroller or processor. The computing device may be configured to compare identification information with reference identification information to determine whether a user is authorized to access an interior of the luggage. Based on results of the comparison, the computing device may control a locking mechanism to unlock one or more of lids of the luggage to allow a user access to the interior of the luggage. The luggage may also include a GPS transceiver for tracking the luggage, a sensor for weighing the luggage, or a coupling mechanism to couple the luggage to another piece of luggage.