Escutcheon Light Ring for Multi-Angle Status Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic locking devices lack effective communication of status events to users, particularly in indicating access permissions and system status, and often require users to be directly in front of the device to view these notifications.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a light ring around the escutcheon of the electronic locking device, which emits customizable patterns of light to indicate various status events such as access approval, rejection, low battery, and privacy mode, allowing users to view the status from multiple angles, combined with a sound device for auditory feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a light ring is added around the escutcheon to communicate status events from multiple angles, then user awareness and communication of status events is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light ring is positioned around the outer perimeter of the escutcheon body, extending into the sidewall to create a three-dimensional light-emitting structure. This allows status information to be communicated from multiple viewing angles (front and side views) rather than a single flat surface, resolving the contradiction by adding spatial dimensionality to improve information communication without requiring multiple separate devices.
2Loss of information
If multiple light emitting sections are integrated into the escutcheon to provide comprehensive status indication, then status visibility is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light ring is divided into multiple light emitting sections (first, second, third, and fourth sections) that can be independently controlled to display different status information. Each section corresponds to different quadrants of the escutcheon body, allowing comprehensive status indication through segmented illumination patterns while maintaining a unified ring structure that simplifies integration into the escutcheon assembly.
3Ease of operation
If the light ring extends into the sidewall to enhance multi-angle visibility, then status event communication from side views is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light ring is integrated directly into the escutcheon body structure, merging the lighting function with the existing escutcheon components. The light ring extends into the sidewall region, combining the front-facing and side-viewing illumination capabilities into a single unified structure, thereby improving multi-angle visibility without adding separate complex subsystems.
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
Enhances user awareness of locking device status from different vantage points, improving usability and security by providing clear visual and auditory notifications of access permissions and system conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a light ring disposed around an outer perimeter of the body and configured to emit a pattern of light in response to a status event to indicate the status of the electronic locking device
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments disclosed herein relate to electronic locking devices. The locking device may include a housing and an escutcheon attached to the housing. The escutcheon has a body defining an outer perimeter and a light ring disposed around the outer perimeter of the body. The light ring is configured to emit a changeable pattern of light in response to a status event to indicate the status of the electronic locking device. The light ring may be viewable from a front view and a side view. The locking device may be part of a lock set that includes a second locking device. The second locking device has a light pad that may be configured to emit complementary light patterns in response to the status event. The second or interior locking device may have a mode setting button. A controller is configured to receive a mode change from the mode setting button and configured to cause the light ring to illuminate a corresponding mode indication based on the mode change.