Smart Protective Case for Surveying Instruments
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-precision surveying equipment is vulnerable to theft, unauthorized use, and environmental damage during transport, and existing protective cases do not efficiently prepare devices for use or prevent unauthorized access.
Innovation Solution
A portable protective case with a communication unit that enables data exchange, localization, and anti-theft features, including a locking mechanism, power supply, and environmental monitoring, to securely transport and prepare surveying devices for use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protective case is used to transport surveying equipment, then the equipment is protected from environmental damage and theft, but the device cannot be prepared for use efficiently during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The protective case performs preliminary actions during transport by automatically charging the surveying device battery and preheating it to operating temperature before the user needs the device. This eliminates waiting time at the destination while maintaining protection during transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The surveying device is prepared for use automatically without user intervention. The case's power supply and heating systems activate automatically when the device is placed inside, allowing the device to service itself during transport.
2Reliability
If a protective case with basic locking mechanism is used, then the equipment is protected from unauthorized access, but the case cannot prevent theft or track location
Solution Approach 1:
The protective case integrates multiple functions beyond basic protection: it includes GPS localization for tracking, communication means for sending alerts, automatic locking mechanisms, and device preparation capabilities. This multi-functional design addresses theft prevention, location tracking, and unauthorized access protection simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The case includes localization and communication means that provide feedback about the device's location and status. If unauthorized movement or opening is detected, the system sends alerts and can trigger alarm functions to prevent theft.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the protective case includes communication means and localization data, then the case can be tracked and unauthorized use prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication unit and localization functions are integrated into the existing protective case structure rather than adding separate systems. The power supply unit serves both the case's electronic functions and charges the surveying device, reducing overall complexity.
4Productivity
If the protective case prepares the surveying device during transport, then productivity increases, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery charging and preheating processes occur continuously during the entire transport period, maximizing the utilization of available time and converting what would be wasted transport time into productive device preparation time.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a portable protective container (10) for transporting a surveying instrument (40), with an interior designed to accommodate the surveying instrument, wherein the interior has at least one support, and wherein the at least one support is specifically designed to accommodate a particular type of instrument with known dimensions. The protective container has a locking mechanism (13) designed to allow a user to open the protective container (10), as well as a communication unit integrated into the protective container, a power supply unit for powering the communication unit, and verification means for checking the presence and identity of a surveying instrument inside the container.The communication unit is designed to retrieve data on the presence and identity of the surveying device, to retrieve and transmit data via an external radio network, and to receive localization data that provides at least a rough position of the protective container. The communication unit is also designed to retrieve data from which the existence or absence of authorization to use the surveying device can be determined, and, based on this data, to determine whether or not such authorization exists. The invention further relates to a method for preventing the unauthorized removal of a surveying device from a container.