ZipperBan - The solution for counteracting pickpockets

Video link: https://plus.google.com/110232461724810297821/posts/XYXTM67AK92

Problem:

Pickpockets. I’ve witnessed it happen to people I know. Although by ‘witnessed’’ I mean I was there when it happened but technically didn’t see it unfold. This friend of mine had her wallet containing about 300 euros stolen from her backpack while on a crowded train in Spain. We didn’t notice what had happened until I told her that her bag was unzipped, and now the pickpocket is suddenly 300 euros richer and it’s highly unlikely that would be the last time they take part in this anti-social activity.

The above situation depicts a tourist with a backpack in a crowded area, and this is a common set of circumstances that attracts petty theft. During the 2012 Olympics in London, pickpocketing cases rose to 1,700 per day (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2175867/London-Olympics-2012-As-1-700-fall-victim-pickpockets-day-Eastern-European-gangs-it.html). It’s clear that tourists are the main people who are targeted, and many tourists will tend to wear backpacks when exploring the city. What if there was a way to know when someone is opening your bag when you’re not looking? What if there was a way to even stop them in their tracks and try to deter them from taking part in this anti-social activity in the future?

Solution:

In an attempt to address this issue, the concept of ZipperBan is a product that only gives the owner the permission to unzip their bag. It consists of various technologies integrated into a backpack to give the user more security and control over who opens their bag.

It uses facial recognition technology (small camera mounted on the top of the backpack) combined with proximity sensors attached to the sliders of both zips. When the zipper is opened, the camera kicks in and scans the faces in view. If there is no match, the bag’s alarm will go off (see Technical Implementation Details) deterring the thief and discouraging them to continue the activity. The wearable also serves to warn the people around them about pickpockets, and consequently people in the immediate surroundings would become more wary of their belongings thus further deterring the thieves.

Technical Implementation Details:

As the zipper opens, the proximity sensors will detect a distance reading that exceeds a certain range (that indicate the zipper is ‘closed’).
This will trigger the camera to anaylise the faces within view and compare them against that of the owner using facial recognition technology.
If the face is that of the owner’s, the bag will unzip and no alarm will be set off.
If the owner’s face cannot be detected while being unzipped, the bag’s alarm will go off: a small flashing red light will flash and a beeping alarm. This will attract unwanted attention to the pickpocket. A notification can also be sent to the user’s phone (who can dismiss it if they wish) so that they can be notified even when physically removed from their bag.
Another potential feature could be to take a photo when the alarm is set off. This would give some identity information about the pickpocket and this can be used for legal action/further public shaming. Issues about privacy will also need to be explored here.