Adjustable Shutter for Optical Wireless Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical wireless communication systems face security challenges due to the imperceptible nature of light signals, making them susceptible to unauthorized access and data interception, particularly in secure environments.
Innovation Solution
An optical wireless communication device equipped with at least one adjustable shutter element that can be physically moved between two configurations, altering the transmission or reception of light signals based on wavelength-dependent transparency, thereby controlling data access and security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If optical wireless communication is implemented without visual indicators, then communication bandwidth and data capacity are improved, but security against unauthorized access deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies visual indicators that change color or emit light to indicate the operational state of the optical wireless communication device. The indicator displays different colors (e.g., green for secure, red for unauthorized) to provide visual feedback about the communication status, thereby enhancing security awareness without compromising the underlying communication bandwidth.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a visual indicator as an intermediary element between the optical communication system and the user. This indicator mediates the information flow by converting invisible optical signals into visible cues, allowing users to monitor security status without interfering with the high-bandwidth communication channel.
2Reliability
If visual indicators are added to indicate communication status, then security awareness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the visual indicator to serve multiple functions: it indicates secure communication status, alerts unauthorized access attempts, and provides general operational feedback. By consolidating these functions into a single component, the patent minimizes the increase in device complexity while maximizing security awareness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses color-changing indicators that can convey multiple states (secure, unauthorized, transmitting, receiving) through different colors, eliminating the need for multiple separate indicators and thereby reducing overall device complexity.
3Reliability
If shutter elements are made wavelength-selective, then security control is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs shutter elements with specific wavelength-selective properties that can be achieved through standard manufacturing techniques. By selecting appropriate materials and design parameters within conventional manufacturing capabilities, the patent achieves sufficient wavelength selectivity for security control without imposing excessive precision requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies wavelength-selective properties to specific regions or portions of the shutter element rather than requiring uniform precision across the entire component. This localized approach allows standard manufacturing methods to achieve the necessary security control functionality.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The adjustable shutter element effectively enhances the security of optical wireless communication by selectively blocking or allowing light signals of specific wavelengths, thereby reducing the risk of unauthorized data access and ensuring secure communication.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one adjustable shutter element is configured to at least partially block or partially redirect light having a first selected wavelength and at least partially allow light having a second selected wavelength to pass through unaffected
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
Figure 3(a)~3(a)
AI summary
An optical wireless communication device comprises: at least one of a transmitter and a receiver configured to transmit and/or receive light comprising an optical wireless communication signal representing data; at least one adjustable shutter element associated with the at least one of a transmitter and a receiver, wherein the at least one adjustable shutter element and the associated at least one of the transmitter and the receiver are adjustable between a first configuration and a second configuration such that in the first configuration the at least one adjustable shutter element is configured to at least partially block or partially redirect light having a first selected property and at least partially allow light having a second selected property to pass through unaffected such that transmission and/or reception of the optical wireless communication signal by the at least one of the transmitter and the receiver is substantially altered.