Smart Stanchion with Integrated Prompt Device for Queue Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional stanchions lack the ability to provide information or additional functions such as device charging, WiFi repeater, and emergency illumination to individuals in a queue, limiting their utility beyond mere line partitioning.

Innovation Solution

A stanchion equipped with a prompt device that includes sensors, output units, control units, and optional features like WiFi transceivers, illumination, and charging capabilities, allowing it to sense and communicate queuing states and provide relevant information, charge devices, and offer illumination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If conventional stanchion is used to partition queue, then queue management function is achieved, but information provision capability is lacking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation provision capabilityVSAvoidfunctional versatility

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The stanchion is transformed from a single-function queue partitioning device into a multi-functional system that includes information display (LED screen), wireless communication (WiFi router), power supply (charging port), and illumination (light source) functions, allowing it to serve diverse needs of queue management and user assistance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If stanchion is equipped with multiple functional devices, then user service capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser service capabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functional components (information display device, wireless communication device, power supply device, illumination device) are merged into a single integrated stanchion structure, sharing common elements such as the power battery and control unit, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining diverse functionalities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If prompt device adds sensing and communication functions, then queue monitoring capability is enhanced, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequeue state sensing accuracyVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The sensing and communication operations are conducted periodically rather than continuously, with the control unit activating these functions only when queue state changes are detected or when information update is necessary, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining effective monitoring capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS9947250B2Stanchion capable of providing prompted information

Publication Date: 2018.04.17 UNION PRECISION HARDWARE CO LTD

AI summary

A stanchion capable of providing prompted information comprises a post and a prompt device disposed in the post. The prompt device senses the queuing state and outputs the prompted information corresponding to the queuing state. Hence, the stanchion offers information favorable for the queue such as waiting time and other helpful functions available for being applied to prompt people in the queue as well in addition to partitioning the moving line of the queue.