Micro-Power Proximity Detector for Credential Readers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing credential readers, especially battery-powered ones, face issues with high power consumption and susceptibility to contaminants, leading to shortened battery life and operational disruptions.

Innovation Solution

A micro-power proximity detector that projects an electrostatic sense field to detect credentials with minimal power usage, allowing the credential reader to enter a low-power state when not in use and activate only upon detecting a credential, thereby reducing power consumption and maintaining functionality in the presence of contaminants.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If continual field technique or periodic field technique is used to detect credential, then detection capability is improved, but power consumption increases to milliamps level

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecredential detection capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic sensing at predetermined intervals instead of continual field energization. The microprocessor controls the credential sensing circuit to be activated only at specific intervals, reducing power consumption from continual operation to periodic bursts while maintaining detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of the credential sensing circuit by controlling it to operate in low-power modes during intervals when no credential is present. The microprocessor adjusts the sensing circuit's activation state based on detected needs, switching between active and sleep modes to optimize power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If infrared light emission technique is used for detection, then detection capability is improved, but power consumption increases and susceptibility to contaminants worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the infrared optical detection mechanism with an electromagnetic field-based sensing system. Instead of emitting infrared light and detecting reflections, the credential reader uses electromagnetic fields to sense the presence of credentials, eliminating susceptibility to light-based contaminants and reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If infrared light emission technique is used for detection, then detection capability is improved, but susceptibility to contaminants increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidsusceptibility to contaminants

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 micro-power proximity detector significantly extends battery life and ensures reliable operation by using microamps instead of milliamps for detection, while being resistant to contaminants and ambient light.

Implementation Method 1

The micro-power proximity detector projects a sense field outside a front of the credential reader to detect a presence of a credential... The sense field may be an electrostatic field.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic field: Electrostatics

Data Source

PatentUS8167203B2Credential reader having a micro power proximity detector and method of operating the credential reader

Publication Date: 2012.05.01 HONEYWELL SECURITY AMERICAS LLC

AI summary

An improved battery-powered credential reader, which may be used in security and other applications, includes include a micro-power proximity detector. The micro-power proximity detector is configured to lengthen battery life by reducing power consumption requirements of the credential reader during periods when no credential is present. An antenna formed about a perimeter of a printed circuit board is configured to propagate an electrostatic sense field adjacent to and through the credential reader using only microamps of electrical current. A control circuit of the micro-power proximity detector is configured to activate the credential reader from a “sleep” state when a disturbance in the electrostatic sense field caused by a credential is detected and/or registered.