Universal Locking Device with Remote Tracking and Motion Alarm
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current firearm locking devices are inadequate in preventing unauthorized usage, as they can be easily bypassed by children and adults, and lack the ability to communicate locked and location status remotely, making them ineffective in securing a variety of firearm types and sizes.
Innovation Solution
A universal locking device with a locking mechanism, motion sensor, alarm, location tracker, and communication module that can be controlled remotely via a smartphone, providing secure, adaptable, and real-time theft detection and tracking capabilities for various objects, including firearms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional padlocks or simple locking devices are used, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of preventing unauthorized access is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device integrates multiple functions into a single system: mechanical locking, motion sensing, alarm notification, GPS tracking, and remote communication. This multi-functional approach resolves the contradiction by providing high reliability through comprehensive security features while maintaining reasonable device complexity through integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a microcontroller as an intermediary that coordinates between various components (locking mechanism, motion sensor, alarm, GPS, and communication module). This mediator manages the complexity internally while presenting a unified reliable security system to the user, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If simple locking mechanisms are used, then the ease of operation is high, but the adaptability to different firearm types and sizes is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device employs a universal shackle design that can accommodate various firearm types and sizes through adjustable positioning and flexible attachment methods. The electronic control system adapts to different configurations while maintaining simple user operation through a unified remote interface, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and ease of operation.
3Loss of information
If remote communication capabilities are added to provide real-time status monitoring, then the loss of information is reduced, but the use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication module operates periodically rather than continuously, transmitting status information at scheduled intervals or triggered by specific events (locking/unlocking actions, motion detection). This periodic operation reduces energy consumption while still providing timely status information to the user, resolving the contradiction between information communication and energy usage.
4Reliability
If multiple security features (alarm, tracker, motion sensor) are integrated, then the reliability of theft detection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple security features (motion sensor, alarm, GPS tracker) into a single integrated locking device housing. This merging approach improves theft detection reliability by coordinating multiple sensors and actuators while managing overall device complexity through unified structural design and centralized control via the microcontroller.
Data Source
AI summary
A locking device includes a locking mechanism configured to lock and unlock different types of objects upon a corresponding command from a separate remote device such as a smartphone controlled by a user and running an application program. A motion sensor senses any physical motion of the locking device, and an alarm provides a visual and/or audible alarm upon sensed motion or tampering of the locking device. A location tracker (GPS) continuously senses a location of the locking device. A communication module is in two-way (cellular) signal communication with the remote device, which transmits signals to the communication module indicative of a user command to lock and unlock the locking mechanism. The communication module transmits signals to the remote device indicative of a status of various parameters of the locking device. A processor is configured for signal processing of the various signals within the locking device.