Electronic Lock Backlight Brightness Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic locks emit light at a predetermined brightness when exiting sleep mode, which can be too bright for users in dark environments, causing eye discomfort.
Innovation Solution
An electronic lock with a control module that adjusts the brightness of the backlight module based on ambient light intensity, measured by a light sensor, to provide a more comfortable viewing experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the backlight module emits light with predetermined brightness when the electronic lock exits sleep mode, then the operation panel is adequately illuminated for user viewing and operation, but the lighting is too bright for users in dark environments, causing eye discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transitioning the backlight module from a static fixed-brightness design to a dynamic adjustable-brightness design. The control module receives ambient light intensity signals from the light sensor and automatically adjusts the backlight brightness accordingly, making the illumination level variable rather than fixed. This resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to adapt its illumination intensity to different environmental conditions, providing sufficient brightness in dark environments while reducing brightness in well-lit conditions to prevent eye discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements the feedback principle by establishing a closed-loop control system where the light sensor continuously monitors ambient light intensity and feeds this information back to the control module. The control module processes this feedback signal and adjusts the backlight module's brightness in response. This feedback mechanism enables the system to automatically adapt to changing environmental light conditions, resolving the contradiction between providing adequate illumination and preventing excessive brightness that causes eye discomfort.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the electronic lock enters sleep mode to reduce battery consumption, then power savings are achieved, but the lock must quickly exit sleep mode and provide adequate lighting when a user needs to operate it
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the preliminary action principle by having the proximity sensor detect the user's approach and trigger the light sensor to measure ambient light intensity before the user actually needs to operate the lock. This preliminary detection and measurement sequence ensures that the control module has the necessary information ready to immediately adjust the backlight brightness to an appropriate level as soon as the user interacts with the operation panel, thereby maintaining fast response time while enabling comfortable viewing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by automatically detecting ambient light conditions and adjusting backlight brightness without requiring manual user intervention. The light sensor and control module work autonomously to sense the environment and configure the display lighting appropriately, freeing the user from having to manually adjust settings and ensuring optimal viewing conditions are provided automatically based on environmental conditions.
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 solution effectively reduces eye discomfort by dynamically adjusting the backlight brightness according to ambient light conditions, while also conserving power by optimizing lighting usage.
Implementation Method 1
a light sensor that is disposed on the outer surface of the lock assembly and that is configured to measure intensity of ambient light and to generate a light-sense signal according to the intensity of the ambient light thus measured
Implementation Method 2
a proximity sensor that is disposed on the outer surface of the lock assembly and that is configured to generate a wake signal upon detecting presence of an object
Implementation Method 3
a backlight module that is configured to emit light outwardly from the operation panel
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic lock includes a lock assembly configured to switch between a locking state and an unlocking state, and a control unit electrically connected to the lock assembly. The control unit includes an operation panel configured to receive a user input, a light sensor configured to measure intensity of ambient light and generate a light-sense signal, a proximity sensor configured to generate a wake signal, a backlight module configured to emit light from the operation panel, and a control module electrically connected to the lock assembly, the operation panel, the light sensor, the proximity sensor, and the backlight module. The control module is configured to control operation of the lock assembly based on the user input, activate the light sensor to measure the intensity of the ambient light, activate the backlight module to emit the light, and control the backlight module to adjust brightness of the light emitted thereby.