Wireless Clothing Lock Device for Theft Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional security mechanisms for clothing and personal items are inadequate to prevent theft, and existing smart locks are either cumbersome or too bulky for integration into clothing and personal items.
Innovation Solution
A lock device attached to clothing or personal items, featuring a first and second lock element that engage to close an opening, with a radio communication device to receive signals for engagement or disengagement, and a controller to actuate the lock elements based on these signals, enabling secure and quick access using a smartphone, and designed for low power operation and a small form factor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional lock is used for clothing or personal items, then security is provided, but the lock is cumbersome and impedes quick access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical key-based locking system with an electronic actuator that responds to wireless signals. The lock element is actuated electronically rather than mechanically, allowing remote locking and unlocking via smartphone or other wireless device, thus eliminating the need for physical key manipulation while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock device automatically locks and unlocks based on wireless signals without requiring manual intervention. The system self-manages the locking state by receiving commands from a wireless device, enabling quick access without the user needing to manually operate a traditional lock mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If a smart lock with radio communication is used, then quick access is enabled, but the device becomes too bulky for integration into clothing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the radio communication functionality from the lock device itself and places it in a separate wireless device (such as a smartphone). The lock device contains only the minimal components needed for actuation (actuator, controller, lock element), while the communication burden is carried by the external wireless device, significantly reducing the size of the integrated lock.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent leverages the existing multi-functional capabilities of common wireless devices (smartphones, tablets, wearables) that already possess radio communication, processing, and control capabilities. By using these universal devices for communication rather than building dedicated communication hardware into the lock, the lock device size is minimized while still enabling quick access through wireless control.
3Reliability
If a smart lock is used for clothing items, then security is improved, but power consumption becomes prohibitive
Solution Approach 1:
The lock device operates in a low-power state most of the time and only activates the actuator and controller briefly when a wireless lock or unlock command is received. This periodic, event-driven operation pattern minimizes overall power consumption compared to systems that require continuous monitoring or higher-power communication transmitters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a highly efficient electronic actuator with low power requirements to replace traditional mechanical locks. The electronic actuator can be precisely controlled to consume minimal energy during actuation, and the overall system is designed to minimize the duration and frequency of active states, thereby reducing total power consumption while maintaining security functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
In some implementations, an article of clothing includes a pocket that includes an opening to an interior cavity, and a lock device attached to the pocket. The lock device may include a first lock element and a second lock element configured to engage with the first lock element, where engagement of the first lock element and the second lock element at least partially closes the opening. The lock device may include a radio communication device configured to receive a signal for engagement or disengagement of the first lock element and the second lock element, and a controller configured to cause engagement or disengagement of the first lock element and the second lock element based on the signal.