Light Guide Assembly for Keyless Access Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional access control systems in vehicles and buildings rely on mechanical keys, electronic codes, or biometric technologies, which can be limited in flexibility and require physical devices, lacking an intuitive and keyless interface for secure entry.
Innovation Solution
A light guide assembly with a touch-sensitive interface using total-internal-reflection materials and light-activation elements that emit visible light for visual feedback, allowing users to input gestures, patterns, or alphanumeric combinations for access control verification without physical keys or radio-frequency devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional mechanical keys or electronic codes are used for access control, then security verification can be achieved, but the system lacks flexibility and requires physical devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical keys and electronic code systems with an optical-based touch interface. The light guide assembly uses total internal reflection and light activation elements to create a touch-sensitive surface that detects finger gestures, substituting physical key mechanisms with optical detection of touch patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide assembly acts as an intermediary between the user and the access control system. It translates physical touch gestures into detectable optical signals through total internal reflection and light activation, serving as a mediator that converts mechanical touch into electronic verification data.
2Ease of operation
If traditional electronic locks are used, then security can be provided, but user experience lacks intuitiveness and visual feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The light activation elements change their optical properties when activated by touch. The system uses visible light emission and color changes to provide visual feedback to users, indicating which areas are touch-sensitive and confirming successful gestures, thereby enhancing ease of operation through intuitive visual cues.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates immediate visual feedback through the light guide assembly. When a user touches the surface, the light activation elements respond by changing light emission patterns, providing real-time feedback about the touch input and system state, making the interaction more intuitive and user-friendly.
3Illumination intensity
If light activation elements are added to provide visual feedback, then user interface quality improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide assembly performs multiple functions simultaneously: it serves as the structural housing, the light propagation medium through total internal reflection, the touch detection interface, and the visual feedback display through light activation elements. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity despite adding visual feedback capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the light guide structure with the display and touch detection functions. The same optical components that guide light for structural integrity also provide the visual feedback and touch sensitivity, combining multiple functions into a unified assembly that minimizes overall system complexity.
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
Enables flexible and secure access control through intuitive touch input, providing visual feedback and eliminating the need for physical keys or devices, enhancing user experience and security with adaptable verification procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The inner layer can be made of a total-internal-reflection (TIR) material, and the first light propagates inside the inner layer by total internal reflection
Implementation Method 2
The light-activation element can be made of a photo-conversion nanomaterial, e.g. NaYF4:Yb,Er or phosphor that is used to absorb the light with the first wavelength so as to produce the light with the second wavelength
Data Source
AI summary
A light-guide assembly and an access control system are provided. The light-guide assembly is used as an interface for touch input. The light-guide assembly includes a light-guide element and a light source disposed on a lateral surface of the light-guide element. The light source emits a first light with a first wavelength. The light-guide element has an upper surface, a lower surface, and an inner layer that is made of a light-transmissive material. The first light enters the light-guide element through the lateral surface and propagates inside the light-guide element for reacting to the touch event occurring on the upper surface. A verification data used in an access control system is formed when the touch event is sensed and identified. A light-activation element of the assembly activates the first light propagating inside the light-guide element and produces a second light that is used to provide a visual effect.