Vehicle Key Fob With LED Button Illumination for Low-Light Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle key fobs are difficult to use in dark or dimly lit environments due to unlabeled buttons and lack of illumination, and they do not provide a reliable means to illuminate surroundings or display the vehicle brand logo effectively.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle key fob device with a housing, a flashlight, a biometric scanner, and LED-illuminated buttons and emblems, where the LED color can be changed, powered by a rechargeable battery, and equipped with a light sensor to automatically illuminate buttons in low light conditions, along with a biometric scanner for enhanced security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If buttons are labeled with stickers or symbols of contrasting color, then the buttons can be identified in normal lighting conditions, but the buttons become difficult to see in night-time or dimly lit environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color-changing LEDs positioned below each button that can change color to provide illumination. The LEDs emit light through the translucent buttons, making them visible in dark environments. The color can be changed to different hues including white, providing adaptive visibility solutions for various lighting conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces LEDs as an intermediary light source between the button and the user's eye. The LEDs positioned below each button serve as mediators that illuminate the buttons from underneath, allowing users to see button labels and symbols in dark environments without requiring external light sources.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a flashlight is added to the key fob to illuminate surroundings, then users can see in dark environments, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the flashlight function with the existing button illumination LEDs. The same LEDs that illuminate the buttons also serve as a flashlight to illuminate surroundings when activated. This combination eliminates the need for a separate flashlight component, reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the button illumination LEDs serve multiple functions: they illuminate individual buttons for identification and collectively function as a flashlight to illuminate surroundings. This multi-functionality approach allows a single component to address multiple user needs, reducing overall device complexity.
3Loss of information
If the brand logo is displayed on the fob controls, then brand identification is provided, but the logo cannot be seen at night or in dimly lit conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color-changing LEDs that illuminate the brand logo from below. The LEDs can change color including to white, providing bright illumination that makes the logo visible in dark environments. The translucent logo design allows light to pass through, enhancing visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces LEDs as an intermediary light source positioned below the brand logo. These LEDs illuminate the logo from underneath, serving as a mediator that makes the logo visible in dark conditions without requiring external lighting.
4Ease of operation
If LED illumination is added to each button, then button visibility in dark is improved, but the use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic illumination where LEDs are activated only when needed (in dark environments) rather than continuously. The system uses sensors or user interaction to trigger LED illumination, consuming energy only during actual use periods. This periodic action significantly reduces overall battery consumption while maintaining button visibility when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the illumination parameters by using low-power LEDs and controlling their activation based on environmental conditions. The LEDs can operate at different brightness levels and can be activated only when darkness is detected, optimizing energy consumption while maintaining adequate button visibility.
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 device allows users to easily identify buttons and illuminate their surroundings, providing improved visibility and security against theft by using LED-illuminated buttons and emblems, and a biometric scanner to prevent unauthorized use.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of LED-illuminated buttons/emblems
Implementation Method 2
The at least one LED can also produce any color known in the art
Implementation Method 3
a LED flashlight bulb
Implementation Method 4
one embodiment of the fob may have a light sensor that detects the amount of light surrounding the fob
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates generally to the field of vehicle key fobs. More specifically, the present invention relates to a vehicle key fob device comprised of a vehicle key fob that has a housing, a flashlight, a biometric scanner, a plurality of LED-illuminated buttons/emblems and a button that allows the color of the LED-illuminated buttons to change. The fob may have a plurality of buttons in differing embodiments, which are preferably illuminated via at least one LED that is positioned below each button. However, in one embodiment a singular large LED may sit below all buttons to illuminate the buttons simultaneously. The at least one LED can also produce any color known in the art, which can be changed by a user by pressing a color change button located on the side surface of the fob.