Biometric Lighter Ignition Control for Child-Use Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable lighters lack effective safety mechanisms to prevent unauthorized use, particularly by children, which can lead to accidental fires and injuries.
Innovation Solution
A portable biometric lighter device equipped with a biometric sensor, such as a fingerprint sensor, that scans user biometric data and matches it against stored authorized data to activate the ignition element only for authorized users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a gas valve button requiring adult finger force is used, then safety against child activation is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates when authorized users cannot apply sufficient force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical force-based safety mechanism with a biometric authentication system. Instead of requiring a specific amount of finger force to activate the gas valve, the system uses a fingerprint sensor to verify the user's identity. The control unit compares the scanned fingerprint against stored authorized user data, and only activates the ignition elements when authentication succeeds. This eliminates the need for force-based mechanical restrictions while maintaining safety.
2Reliability
If an alphanumeric keypad with security code is used, then safety against unauthorized use is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates when users forget the code or children observe it
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electronic keypad and code-based authentication system with a biometric fingerprint recognition system. Instead of requiring users to remember and enter a security code, the system captures the user's fingerprint using an optical or capacitive sensor and compares it against stored biometric data. This eliminates the problems of forgotten codes and code observation by children, as biometric authentication is inherently more secure and user-friendly.
3Reliability
If biometric sensor and stored biometric data are used, then safety against unauthorized use including children is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the biometric sensor, control unit with authentication logic, and memory for storing biometric data into a single compact device. The control unit performs multiple functions: it controls the fingerprint sensor activation, processes the biometric data comparison, manages the authorized user database, and controls the ignition elements. This multi-functional integration minimizes the overall device complexity while providing robust biometric authentication safety.
Data Source
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.