Biometric Lighter Ignition Control to Prevent Child Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable lighters lack effective safety mechanisms to prevent unauthorized use, particularly by minors, as existing solutions like adult-force gas valves and alphanumeric keypads can be tampered with or forgotten, leading to accidental fires and injuries.

Innovation Solution

A portable biometric lighter device equipped with a biometric sensor, such as a fingerprint sensor, that scans and matches user biometric data with authorized data stored in a memory device to activate the ignition element, ensuring only authorized users can initiate the flame.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an alphanumeric keypad with security code is used to control access, then unauthorized usage is prevented, but user-friendliness deteriorates and children can still access by observing the code

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of unauthorized usageVSAvoiduser-friendliness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical alphanumeric keypad system with a biometric authentication system using fingerprint sensors. This substitution eliminates the need for users to remember codes while providing more reliable security, as biometric data cannot be observed or guessed by children. The fingerprint sensor directly captures unique physiological characteristics, resolving the contradiction between security and ease of use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If a gas valve button requiring adult finger force is used, then child access is prevented, but authorized users with limited hand strength cannot activate it

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of child accessVSAvoidactivatability by authorized user

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical force-based gas valve button with an electronic biometric authentication system. Instead of requiring physical force to activate, the system uses a fingerprint sensor to verify the user's identity. This eliminates the strength requirement while maintaining security, as the fingerprint sensor can accurately distinguish between children and authorized users without requiring them to exert force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If simple activation mechanisms are used, then ease of operation is maintained, but safety against unauthorized use deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of activationVSAvoidsafety against unauthorized use

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces simple mechanical activation mechanisms with a biometric authentication system that maintains simplicity in user interaction while dramatically improving safety. The user simply places their finger on the sensor for authentication, keeping the action simple, but the fingerprint verification provides robust security against unauthorized use by children or others without requiring complex procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11774096B2Portable biometric lighter

Publication Date: 2023.10.03 GIBSON JOHN

AI summary

A portable biometric lighter device (100) generally involving a control unit (210), a biometric sensor, such as a fingerprint sensor (140), wherein the biometric sensor is configured to scan a biometric data of a user and is operably coupled to the control unit (210), and an ignition element, wherein the ignition element is activated by the control unit (210) upon a match of the scanned biometric data of the user and a biometric data of an authorized user that is stored in a memory device.